Lee Dong-gun's Jeju cafe closes amid pond maintenance controversy

Actor Lee Dong-gun's cafe, 'Oasis 80'—which he operated in Jeju and showcased the startup process for on television—has vanished from its original location. As a new shop moves into the space where the cafe once stood, a controversy regarding 'cleanup' has emerged after footage revealed an outdoor pond, once a symbol of the cafe, left unmaintained.

On the 2nd, a video was released on the YouTube channel 'Kangho's Footsteps TV,' showing a visit to the former site of the Aewol cafe in Jeju operated by Lee. What caught the eye in the video was the outdoor pond that had previously captivated visitors.

During its operation, the pond was a key space that completed the exotic atmosphere of 'Oasis 80,' blending a pink building with palm trees and tropical plants. However, in the currently revealed footage, the water appears a deep green with fallen leaves and various floating debris, suggesting it has not been managed for a considerable period.

Dry grass and dust had also accumulated on the stairs and ground around the pond. The cameraman expressed disappointment over the abandoned space, explaining the situation on-site by noting that the water has caused insects to breed in large numbers.

Some netizens who watched the video reacted more strongly. One netizen pointed out that the pond should have been cleaned up before leaving, claiming it was an original facility and that local residents or merchants could suffer from pests.

However, this point needs to be viewed cautiously. It is impossible to determine the exact cause of the water turning green from the video alone, nor has it been confirmed whether a massive insect outbreak has actually caused harm to nearby residents or merchants. Above all, in a situation where the current management entity of the facility has not been clearly identified, it is unreasonable to immediately link the state of the pond to the negligence of Lee or the 'Oasis 80' side.

'Oasis 80,' which sits at the center of the controversy, was a space that held more meaning for Lee than a simple side job. Through the SBS variety show 'My Little Old Boy,' he revealed his long-held dream of running a small cafe in Jeju, and the broadcast even captured the process of him consulting with a bank for a loan of approximately 200 million won to actually start the business. This is why it drew public interest as a realistic business challenge involving significant capital, rather than just a celebrity's hobby cafe.

Opened in April 2025 in Aewol-eup, Jeju City, 'Oasis 80' garnered attention immediately after its opening. In addition to Lee personally stepping up as a barista, crowds flocked to the cafe, with waiting lines forming from the very first day. At the time, the cafe also announced via its official account that there were waits from day one.

The space itself sought to differentiate itself from typical celebrity cafes. By renovating an old house with a pink exterior, palm trees, and an outdoor pond, they established a concept reminiscent of a resort, featuring Turkish sand coffee—extracted using hot sand—as their signature menu. The buzz was further enhanced by the combination of the variety program and the cafe business when entertainer Lee Sang-min appeared as a daily staff member.

However, contrary to its brilliant start, the operation did not last long. 'Oasis 80' entered a temporary hiatus starting in June 2026, and on July 6, it announced via official SNS that it would take a 'time for reorganization' starting July 9. Even then, specific plans regarding the hiatus period, reopening timing, or whether they would move were not disclosed.

Since then, the situation has effectively entered a new phase. It has been confirmed that as of September, a store from a different brand has moved into the former 'Oasis 80' location. While the cafe side has not officially declared permanent closure, it appears that operations at the existing Jeju Aewol site have ceased.

In particular, as the timing of the new store's arrival coincides with the 'reorganization' notice, interest is focused on the future direction of operations. 'Oasis 80' has not officially revealed whether they will reopen or where, but as it was reported that Lee mentioned in a past live broadcast that he is preparing for operations in Seoul, the possibility of a new type of restart is being discussed rather than a complete withdrawal from the Jeju business.

What makes Lee's cafe challenge interesting is that it went beyond a space consumed merely by a celebrity's name value, attempting to convert his lifestyle and tastes into a business. Since much of the process—from loan consultations to space composition, menu development, and actual operations—was revealed through broadcasting, it felt to the public less like a 'star's cafe' and more like a project watching an actor personally transform into an entrepreneur.

In that sense, the footage of the former site leaves a strange lingering feeling beyond a simple story of a business closing. A space where customers once lined up, took photos, and tasted sand coffee has been replaced by another shop in just about a year, leaving the pond behind like a relic of the past.

However, the issue of facility management should be approached through responsibility and facts rather than emotion or speculation. Without confirming the actual ownership or lease relationship, the duty of facility management, and whether the pond is still part of the business premises, it may be premature to hold a specific individual responsible for 'neglect.'

While it is no longer unusual for celebrities to enter the food and beverage industry, running a cafe involves much more complex real-world issues than what is shown on television. Numerous variables determine success or failure, including initial investment, lease agreements, facility maintenance, staffing, changes in commercial districts, and brand sustainability.

For Lee, 'Oasis 80' was a long-held dream he wanted to realize even at the cost of a 200 million won financial burden. Therefore, as the space in Aewol, Jeju, disappears, public interest is likely to remain focused less on the algae in the pond and more on whether he has completely abandoned the business or is preparing to create a new 'Oasis' in a different location or form.

Lee is currently expanding his career from actor to variety host, serving as an MC for the JTBC variety show 'Divorce Camp.' Rather than concluding that this change surrounding the Jeju cafe is a business failure, it is a matter of watching how the new choices of a celebrity balancing broadcasting and business will unfold.