Korea’s 9.2-Metre-Tall Rolleiflex Camera Café

If you’re a coffee lover who also loves photography, you’ve probably tired of the same old chain cafés. But what if your local coffee shop wasn’t just a place to sip espresso—it was also a towering monument to your favourite camera? In Korea, one couple didn’t just imagine it—they built it.

The answer is a 9.2-metre-tall Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera café, hand-built by a retired helicopter pilot and his wife in rural South Korea. It’s the world’s only full-scale camera-shaped coffee shop, designed as a space for storytelling and dreaming.

The Dream Behind the Lens

Park Sung-hwan always had big dreams. As a schoolboy in Korea, he wanted to be an air force pilot—a goal his family discouraged. Undeterred, he joined the military in 2000 and became a helicopter pilot. But his true passion lay elsewhere: building something magical. After leaving the service, he and his wife, Kwak Hee-joo, set out to create a place where anyone could share their story and chase their dreams.

“In Korea, there’s a lot of pressure to conform,” Park said. “My wife and I wanted to build a space where people could tell their stories and find inspiration. That’s how the idea of a camera-themed café was born.”

Why a Rolleiflex?

Around 12 years ago, Park became a passionate collector of classic film cameras. He started with Leicas but eventually fell for the iconic Rolleiflex—known for its distinctive twin-lens design and vintage charm. While other cameras were considered, the Rolleiflex was chosen for its buildable form factor.

“The Rolleiflex shape was more practical to replicate at this scale,” Park explained. The camera isn’t just for show: it’s a full-blown café housed inside a meticulously crafted replica of the legendary 1930s-50s press and portrait camera.

From Sketch to Structure

The journey began in 2009, when Park sketched the camera café on a piece of cardboard. He then reached out to several contractors before construction finally kicked off. By 2012, the dream was complete: a fully functional coffee shop built to resemble a 9.2-metre-tall Rolleiflex.

The structure stands as a landmark in rural Seoul, located 65 kilometres from the city centre. Alongside coffee, it offers a powerful visual metaphor for seeing the world differently—through both a lens and a life less ordinary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Rolleiflex camera café located?

The café is located in rural South Korea, approximately 65 kilometres outside of Seoul. It’s a standalone structure built to resemble a giant Rolleiflex twin-lens camera.

What inspired the couple to build a camera café?

Park Sung-hwan, a former helicopter pilot, and his wife Kwak Hee-joo wanted to create a space where people could share their stories and pursue their dreams. They were motivated by a desire to inspire creativity and individuality in a conformist society.

Why did they choose a Rolleiflex camera design?

Park has been a collector of classic film cameras for around 12 years. While he initially liked Leicas, he chose the Rolleiflex for its iconic twin-lens design and because it was more feasible to construct at a large scale.

When did the café open?

The camera-shaped café officially opened in 2012, after Park first sketched the design on cardboard in 2009 and spent several years working with contractors to bring it to life.

Can visitors go inside the camera café?

Yes, the Rolleiflex structure is not just a sculpture but a fully functional coffee shop where visitors can enjoy coffee in a one-of-a-kind photographic setting.

Is this the only camera-shaped café in the world?

As described in the article, it’s the world’s only 9.2-metre-tall, full-scale Rolleiflex-shaped café, making it a truly unique café experience.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Camera Café Vibes

Pair your visit to a camera-themed café with a cup that matches the aesthetic. FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui delivers bright florals and citrus notes, perfect for a light, artistic filter. For deeper tones, try Yirgacheffe with its juicy body and berry-like brightness—ideal for moody portraits. Or go classic with the Brazil Queen Manor, offering nutty sweetness and chocolatey balance like an old-school black-and-white print. All three beans highlight the craft behind both coffee and photography. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.