Seocho-gu's Neulbom Cafe No. 2 wins KCIA award for second consecutive year

Seocho-gu in Seoul held a plaque unveiling ceremony Thursday afternoon to mark Neulbom Cafe No. 2's recognition at the 2026 KCIA Korea Consumer Industry Assessment. The event took place at 3:20 p.m. at the cafe on the first floor of the Naegok Neutinamu Shelter.

Seocho-gu operates seven Neulbom Cafe locations across the district, including the No. 2 branch, as part of a senior employment project. The Seocho-gu-run Neutinamu Shelter and Bangbae Senior Welfare Center manage the outlets, with more than 160 residents aged 60 and older working as senior baristas — handling everything from beverage and dessert production to sales and store operations.

In April, the Naegok Neutinamu Shelter's Neulbom Cafe No. 2 was named an outstanding business in the cafe and dessert category at the 2026 KCIA Korea Consumer Industry Assessment, organized by the Korea Consumer Council and Korea Consumer Evaluation. An awards ceremony is scheduled for December. The recognition marks the second consecutive year the cafe has received the honor following last year's selection, and is the first time a senior employment business run by a local district government has achieved back-to-back wins nationwide.

The plaque unveiling ceremony was organized to celebrate the KCIA award, share the achievements of the senior employment project, and recognize the older adults working at the site as well as those involved in running the program. About 100 people attended, including Seocho-gu officials and participants in the Neulbom Cafe and bakery project. Senior participants shared their thoughts on the work, recounting their on-site experiences and the sense of fulfillment they have gained through employment and community engagement.

A video titled "Act Two: My Work, My Prize" — produced by senior content creators documenting the daily lives of older adults working at the Naegok Neutinamu Shelter's Neulbom Cafe and bakery — was also screened at the event. The video passed the first round of judging at the 2026 Senior Employment Awareness Video Contest organized by the Korea Labor Force Development Institute for the Aged. It features Kim Hye-ran, who has worked as a barista at Neulbom Cafe for six years, and Seo Chang-ho, who works at the bakery, both sharing their daily routines and the energy they have found through their jobs in a vlog format.

The district said it plans to continue supporting senior employment projects so that older residents can find purpose through social participation and contribute their skills as active members of the community.

Seocho-gu District Mayor Jeon Seong-su said the award was "an achievement made together by the seniors who worked diligently on the ground and everyone involved in the project," adding that the district would "work to expand quality jobs so that older residents can draw on their experience and abilities to enjoy a vibrant and fulfilling retirement."