Until recently, WERK operated its café in Busan’s trendy Jeonpo district. But right before my visit, they relocated to a new space in Gwangam, which—lucky for me—was just around the corner from my Airbnb.
While the café sits on a busy street, the interior design cleverly uses multiple levels, allowing you to escape the street noise by heading up, up, up.
WERK’s branding is striking. Think capital letters, plus signs, and a strong red aesthetic. It’s no coincidence—they drew inspiration from Berlin and the German language.
While I was there, I happened to meet WERK CEO Hyeondong Park, who was working behind the bar and keeping things running smoothly.
I grabbed a seat by the counter and started with a flat white. [Hyeon]Dong kindly offered to brew me a gesha filter lot from Peru, and of course, I said yes. While he worked his magic, I browsed their retail shelf and picked up a box of instant kaffee—a fun addition to the growing collection of drip bags and instant coffees I was bringing home from Korea. I just love the convenience and portability.
WERK offers a modest selection of pastries, plus sourdough bread with charcuterie—a perfect pairing with their coffees and drinks. On top of that, they sell some pretty cool merch. You know I’m a sucker for good branding and swag.
But what really stood out was their sense of community.
If you’re into running and meeting people, the WERK Running Club is just the thing for you. Locals and expats gather on weekends for a jog through the neighborhood, followed by—you guessed it—coffee. The new Gwangam location, with its proximity to Gwangali Beach and surrounding nature, makes it even more inviting than their former Jeonpo spot.
While sipping my floral gesha, I chatted with Dong about WERK’s recent move. He explained that Jeonpo had become too expensive and competitive, and that the area no longer matched the team’s long-term vision. Gwangam, on the other hand, is more local, more laid back—and very much on the rise. I stumbled across several great coffee shops in the area.
Later, Dong shared a bit about his background. During his compulsory military service, he devoured everything he could find about coffee. After completing his service, he started working at Momos Coffee, Busan’s most iconic roastery and the home of 2019 World Barista Champion Jooyeon Jeon.
There, he discovered the freedom of specialty coffee and its unique emphasis on relationships with farmers.
Eventually, Dong joined forces with Chan Hee, Seok Bong, and Sang Yong to form WERK. In just a few short years, they’ve built bold and bright brand—winning over fans well beyond Busan.
Myself included.
I look forward to sharing some of WERK’s finest coffees with you in a future Coffeevine edition. With their passion, vision, and drive, this is one roaster you’ll want to keep on your radar.
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