Celebs getting their teeth into restaurant business

SEOUL — Many South Korean celebrities are starting to jump into the cafe and restaurant business following their unsteady employment and fluctuating income in the entertainment field.

Cao Lu, of popular K-pop girl group Fiestar, recently said that she hopes to one day open her own store as a side business, confessing even celebrities suffer from financial difficulties and uncertainties.

Many celebrities in the country have recently talked about their struggles with fluctuating income and unsteady employment, even referring to themselves as “non-regular workers”.

Celebrities-turned-entrepreneurs include Jo Kwon of K-pop boy band 2AM, who is the CEO of a cereal shop called “Midnight in Seoul” in Nonhyeon-dong, and Big Bang’s G-Dragon, who runs a glass-walled coffee shop on Jeju Island. People may flock to star-owned places with hopes of getting a glimpse of their idols.

“Since celebs are their own brands, many follow the footsteps of fellow celebrities and run their own business. It can also revitalize their activities as celebrities,” said pop-culture critic Lim Jin-mo.