Danbalmeori pour-over at Mudeungdowon, a Bomun-dong café in Seoul

Today's Right Living story is about a place I went to for coffee and left with my heart softened by the music — Mudeungdowon.

What is Mudeungdowon, the hand-drip café by Seongbuk Stream, like?

Mudeungdowon is a hand-drip coffee café in a Bomun-dong alley by Seongbuk Stream. My husband and I have been going to the Bomun-dong and Seongbuk-dong area often lately. That day too, we were searching "where should we get coffee?" and found Mudeungdowon. We stepped in for a cup.

Walking in, the first things that caught my eye were LP records, CDs, tapes, and posters.

There was even a baseball uniform hanging up, so the owner must be a fan,

Looking around the space, you could naturally feel the owner's taste. On the glass at the front of the store, the monthly closed days, hours, and Instagram handle were written.

Apparently you get a discount if you bring goods or a uniform, haha. Someone was chatting comfortably with the owner, someone else was working on a laptop. Everyone in the same space, but each spending their time their own way. I loved this relaxed atmosphere.

Danbalmeori or Yetsarang? Choosing beans for Mudeungdowon's pour-over

Mudeungdowon's hand-drip beans came in two choices: the Danbalmeori blend and the Yetsarang blend. My husband and I always get coffee at a café, no matter what. He got an iced americano. Me? I'm the person who drinks only hot coffee even in midsummer :) That day too, we didn't even glance at the other menu items and each ordered an americano. Since I'd found this place searching for hand-drip coffee near Seongbuk Stream, I was curious about the taste too.

• Danbalmeori blend — bright, floral, juicy
• Yetsarang blend — dark, nutty, heavy

When I mentioned I liked coffee with acidity, the owner recommended the bean named Danbalmeori ("bob haircut").

One sip and the acidity came through richly, with a lovely aroma too. I love coffee with noticeable acidity, so I enjoyed it a lot. They bring the coffee straight to your table.

Park Ji-yoon on vinyl and a Deux cassette tape

But what stuck with me that day as much as the coffee was the music at Mudeungdowon. While we were drinking our coffee, a Park Ji-yoon song came on. On the wall was a Deux cassette tape. (Was that my desk from 30 years ago?) My heart suddenly went soft. It brought back memories from childhood :) Though the owner looked much younger than me;;haha.

Mudeungdowon, a hand-drip café by Seongbuk Stream, felt less like a place you drink coffee and leave, and more like a neighborhood hideout where you enjoy the music too.

Thoughtful touches to the last minute, and easy parking at Mudeungdowon

On our way out, I noticed a phrase written on the door.

OMG My Wallet! Oh! That's right My Airpods! My Umbrella!

A reminder not to forget your wallet, AirPods, or umbrella, haha. The owner's sense of humor came through right to the end. We parked beside the store at the time of our visit, which was convenient since we'd driven.

Barom's Right Living verdict on Mudeungdowon

I went looking for a coffee with my husband and left having enjoyed the music just as much — that's Mudeungdowon, a café by Seongbuk Stream. The coffee, rich in acidity with a great aroma, suited my taste well, but the moment the Park Ji-yoon song played is what stayed with me longest. I also loved the space where someone chats and someone works, each staying comfortably in their own way.

I found another coffee spot I love in the Bomun-dong and Seongbuk-dong area I've been frequenting lately. Next time I'm looking for hand-drip coffee near Seongbuk Stream, I think I'll stop by again with my husband for a hot cup. :)

Barom's Right Living only records what I've personally experienced and eaten — today too, I experienced it myself and wrote it down.