I met her when she opened a small café at the age of 72 with her 75‑year‑old husband, in a beautiful hanok village near Bukhansan National Park, called "Eunpyeong Hanok Village".
Not long after, she was diagnosed with stomach cancer and spent the next six years fighting it.
Even through treatment, she kept the café open. She continued making her signature soufflé—still one of the best I've ever tasted.
Her husband brewed all kinds of traditional Korean teas and coffees for their guests, including Ssanhwacha, Korea's traditional tea made with medical herbs.
In between, he painted scenes from the most beautiful places they had visited together across Korea, each painting a quiet wish for her recovery.
Now, she has won her long battle with cancer and has returned to everyday life.
K-pop stars sometimes stop by their café to rest, recharge, and find a bit of peace, including Young-woong Lim, one of my favorite K-pop musicians.
Eunpyeong Hanok Village is one of the loveliest places in Seoul.
And she and her husband are one of the loveliest couples I know in this city.
