Our Story
A genuine Korean cafe brought to life by passion, pandemic K-dramas, and the belief that authentic experiences are worth building from scratch.
Born from a Binge-Watch and a Bold Dream
During the long quiet of the pandemic, founders Pat Bernardo and RM de Vera fell deep into the world of Korean dramas. Crash Landing on You. Itaewon Class. The food, the spaces, the warmth of Korean culture — it became an obsession.
But they didn't just want to be inspired by it. They wanted to build the real thing. In 2021, Seollem Cafe opened in Camp 7, Baguio City — with furniture, equipment, and ingredients sourced directly from South Korea.
Their declaration has never wavered: "We are not a Korean-inspired café — we are a Korean café."
설렘 — Seollem
In Korean, 설렘 (seollem) describes a feeling that has no perfect English equivalent — the heart-fluttering anticipation of something wonderful on the verge of happening. The giddiness of a first date. The excitement before a long-awaited trip. The warmth of reconnecting with someone you love.
Every element of Seollem Cafe — the design, the food, the music — is crafted to make you feel that flutter the moment you walk through the door. That sense that something good is just beginning.
Our Core Values
The principles that shape every plate, every space, and every experience at Seollem
Real Korean ingredients, furniture, and recipes — no shortcuts, no approximations.
A space that welcomes everyone — friends, families, solo visitors, and remote workers alike.
Every dish prepared with care — from the crunch of the fried chicken to the last sip of a dalgona latte.
Creating moments of genuine delight — the kind that make you want to come back again and again.
Two Floors, Two K-Drama Worlds
The cafe is designed across two floors, each with a distinct personality rooted in the K-dramas that inspired the founders.
First Floor — Danbam (Itaewon Class): Leather seating, wooden tables, exposed cement walls, trailing plants, and warm fairy lights recreate the beloved bar at the heart of Itaewon Class.
Second Floor — Seri's Apartment (Crash Landing on You): High ceilings, hanging lamps, and a luminous aesthetic inspired by Yoon Seri's luxury apartment from the beloved series.
Korean drama OSTs play gently throughout — the final detail that makes you feel like you've stepped into the story.
The Seollem Story
During the pandemic lockdown, founders Pat Bernardo and RM de Vera discover their shared obsession with Korean culture through K-dramas — particularly Crash Landing on You and Itaewon Class. The idea of a genuine Korean cafe takes root.
Seollem Cafe opens its first location at #74 Del Nacia Apartments, Camp 7, Baguio City. The two-storey space features furniture, equipment, and ingredients sourced directly from South Korea. Baguio's food scene takes notice immediately.
Word spreads across food blogs, Instagram, and travel communities. Seollem becomes one of the most-featured cafe destinations in Baguio, praised for its authentic menu, K-drama interiors, and warm atmosphere.
Seollem expands to 2/F Ecco 4 Building, Military Cut-Off Road — a larger, more accessible location that allows the cafe to welcome even more guests. Now operating daily, 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
Seollem Cafe continues to grow as one of the most beloved Korean cafes in the Philippines — a place where the flutter of 설렘 greets you every single visit.
Experience the Flutter
Now that you know our story — come live it. Baguio's most beloved Korean cafe is open daily and ready to make you feel 설렘.