A Seoul barista is turning coffee into stunning art pieces.

Think latte art is just a passing fad?

You haven't seen the masterpieces crafted by Lee Gang-bin, co-owner of Café C.THROUGH in Seoul.

Through a technique he calls 'cream art,' using colored icing, Lee elevates ordinary coffee into extraordinary works of creativity.

"To me, coffee is like a fairytale," Lee says to Dinogo. "It allows me to bring my dreams to life. While most latte artists use only black and white, I wanted to break free from that color restriction."

His imaginative coffee creations have attracted nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram.

While his renditions of famous artworks, like Van Gogh’s 'The Starry Night,' Munch’s 'The Scream,' and Da Vinci’s 'Mona Lisa,' are fan favorites, Lee also takes custom requests from his clients.

Requests range from beloved storybook characters like the Little Prince to iconic images like a Vogue Korea magazine cover. Regardless of the design, Lee insists that his art should always be drinkable.

"I have a rule not to make coffee that can't be enjoyed," he explains. "I only create cream art on cold coffee. If I do it on hot coffee, the flavor changes as it cools, and I want to preserve the taste of the coffee."

The teddy bear cream art is the exception, as it only takes 40 seconds to create. C.THROUGH also offers traditional menu items for customers who walk in.

"We’re not just artists creating designs on coffee, we’re baristas crafting a beverage," he states.

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More than just a ‘coffee guy’

Lee has been perfecting the art of coffee for 10 years, diving into latte art seven years ago.

"I began exploring coffee when I was 18," he shares. "Back then, being a barista wasn’t a well-known profession in Korea, which made me a bit anxious. But my passion for the craft quickly took over and that worry faded."

He credits his success to the unwavering support he’s received from his parents.

"People around me doubted my choice to become a ‘coffee guy,’" Lee recalls. "But I stayed true to my path, as many Koreans do. I wanted to prove that I could achieve success through coffee."

Today, his café is so popular that he barely sleeps, getting only a few hours each night. The secret to his success? Passion and perseverance.

"I never formally studied drawing, but I always enjoyed it as a hobby," Lee explains. "Then, after delving into coffee, I realized I could combine both skill and artistry in my work. That's how I merged coffee with art."

Thanks to the café’s success, Lee believes they’re now able to share a fresh aspect of South Korean culture with the world.

"In recent years, South Korea has gained global fame through K-pop," says Lee. "But not many people are aware of Korea’s coffee culture. Some may think of coffee as just a drink, but for me, it’s a way to connect people."

Café C.THROUGH, 403-3 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea