Seoul Café Hangs Sign Refusing Chinese Customers; Chinese Influencer Slams: 'Wait for Your Revenue to Crash'

Anti-China sentiment has been on the rise in Korean society recently, and a popular café in Seoul's Seongdong District has sparked a major controversy by publicly announcing on social media that it will “not accept Chinese guests.”

This move immediately ignited a heated debate among Chinese and Korean netizens. A Chinese influencer even posted a video strongly criticizing the café for “racial discrimination,” warning, “Just wait for your sales to collapse!”

According to The Korea JoongAng Daily’s English edition, this café in Seongsu-dong posted an announcement on Instagram, stating: 'We do not accept Chinese guests.'

The manager, when interviewed, explained that the decision was not out of racial discrimination, but was meant to respond to the increasing social antipathy toward China: 'Whenever Chinese customers come in, the atmosphere in the store changes noticeably. I just want to protect our business and avoid negative reactions from other customers.'

As soon as this was said, South Korean netizens immediately split into two camps.

The café in Seongsu-dong posted an announcement on Instagram stating: 'We do not accept Chinese guests.'

Supporters argue that the owner has the right to decide whom to serve, “just like some shops ban children from entering”; others say, “Back when anti-Japan sentiment was high, there were also restaurants that refused Japanese customers—this is not unprecedented.”

Opponents criticize that, “This is discrimination,” and ask, “How would Koreans feel if they were treated this way overseas?”

A Chinese influencer named Henry filmed a video condemning the café as “the most discriminatory place in all of Korea,” angrily asking, “Why do you hate China? Who told you this was acceptable business practice?”

He also provocatively stated, “Just wait for your revenue to crash!”

The incident has drawn attention from the media and local government. Seongdong District Mayor Jeong Won-o responded, “We understand everyone’s concerns; Seongsu-dong is a popular tourist area, and we will do our best to persuade the store to reconsider.”

However, the café manager remains firm, emphasizing that there are currently no plans to withdraw the 'no Chinese customers' policy.