You’re probably here because you just finished a rewatch of the 2007 classic Coffee Prince and noticed something weird. It’s that scene. You know the one. Gong Yoo’s character, Han-kyul, is trying to process his blossoming, confusing feelings for Eun-chan, and there’s this oddly specific mention or imagery involving a starfish. Or maybe you're diving into the deep lore of Hallyu classics and wondering why "Starfish and Coffee Prince" keeps popping up in fan forums nearly two decades later.
It’s not just a random prop.
Honestly, Coffee Prince changed everything for K-dramas. It wasn't just another "girl dresses as a boy" trope; it was a gritty, sweaty, aesthetically pleasing look at gender, class, and the sheer terror of falling in love with someone who upends your entire worldview. The "starfish" isn't a central plot point like the coffee shop itself, but it functions as a metaphorical anchor for Han-kyul’s internal monologue. In the world of the drama, the starfish represents something that feels alien, beautiful, and slightly out of place—much like Eun-chan in Han-kyul’s high-society, rigid world.
Why the Starfish Metaphor Hits Harder Than You Think
In the mid-2000s, Korean dramas were often criticized for being too "Cinderella-esque." Then came Coffee Prince. Directed by Lee Yoon-jung, it had a different energy. It felt indie. It felt real. When we talk about the starfish in relation to the show, we’re often talking about the concept of "regeneration" and "clinging."
Starfish are famous for growing back lost limbs.
In the show, both Han-kyul and Eun-chan are broken people. Han-kyul is the typical "chaebol" heir but with a massive chip on his shoulder regarding his birth and his family's expectations. Eun-chan is the breadwinner, literally working herself to the bone to pay off her mother’s debts and keep her sister in school. They are both in a state of constant survival. When they find each other, it’s not just a romance; it’s a biological necessity. They are regenerating each other’s ability to hope.
Think about Han-kyul’s apartment. It’s minimalist. Cold. Then Eun-chan enters his life like a sea creature washed up on a beach—strange, prickly, and impossible to ignore. There is a specific nuance in the Korean dialogue throughout the series where Han-kyul refers to his "alien" feelings. The starfish serves as a visual shorthand for this "alien" love. It’s something that doesn't belong in a coffee shop, yet there it is.
💡 You might also like: Charlize Theron Sweet November: Why This Panned Rom-Com Became a Cult Favorite
The Realism of 2007 Seoul
People forget how revolutionary this show was for its time. You’ve got a male lead who thinks he’s falling for a man and eventually reaches a point where he says, "I don't care if you're a man or an alien." That "alien" line is a direct nod to the unconventional nature of their bond.
If you look at the set design of Han-kyul's bachelor pad, there's a certain whimsy mixed with modernism. The starfish motif isn't just about the ocean; it’s about the "Starfish and Coffee" vibe—a reference that some fans argue links back to the Prince song of the same name. Prince’s "Starfish and Coffee" is about an eccentric girl named Cynthia Rose who marches to the beat of her own drum. Sound familiar? Go Eun-chan is the quintessential Cynthia Rose of the K-drama world. She eats more than anyone else, she’s stronger than the boys, and she refuses to fit into the "pretty girl" mold that 2007 society demanded.
Coffee Prince and the Legacy of the "Gender-Bender" Trope
The starfish imagery also ties into the idea of sticking to something. Once a starfish attaches to a rock, it’s hard to move.
Eun-chan is Han-kyul’s rock, and he is the starfish trying to figure out how to stay attached without breaking. Most people watch this show for the chemistry—and let’s be real, Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-hye have some of the best chemistry in television history—but the subtext is what keeps it relevant in 2026.
The show explores the "Coffee Prince" brand as a literal business venture. We see the struggle of hiring the "princes," the marketing of their looks, and the underlying reality that it’s all a facade. Eun-chan’s entire life is a facade during the first half of the series. The starfish metaphor reminds us that beneath the surface, there is a complex organism trying to survive.
- The Casting: Gong Yoo almost turned down the role. Can you imagine?
- The Location: The actual coffee shop in Hongdae became a massive tourist landmark, though it has struggled with maintenance over the years.
- The Music: The soundtrack, featuring artists like The Melody, created a bossa nova, indie-pop vibe that defined an era.
The music is actually where the "Starfish and Coffee" connection feels strongest. The OST isn't just background noise; it’s a character. It’s whimsical and slightly melancholic.
📖 Related: Charlie Charlie Are You Here: Why the Viral Demon Myth Still Creeps Us Out
Han-kyul’s Character Arc: From Collector to Caretaker
At the start, Han-kyul is a collector of things. He collects toys, he collects expensive gadgets, and he treats the "Coffee Prince" employees like a collection of curiosities. He’s the guy who would find a starfish on the beach and put it in a glass jar just to look at it.
But Eun-chan can’t be bottled up.
Their relationship forced Han-kyul to stop being a spectator of his own life. You see this transition in the way he looks at her. It goes from curiosity to a desperate, grounded need. The starfish is no longer a specimen; it’s a living thing. This is the "Coffee Prince" effect. It takes these lofty, often ridiculous K-drama tropes and grounds them in the dirt, the coffee grounds, and the reality of financial struggle.
The Cultural Impact of the "Starfish" Mentality
Why does this specific combination of words—Starfish and Coffee Prince—keep appearing? It’s because the show represents a "starfish" moment in Korean cultural exports. It was the moment the Hallyu wave moved from being a regional curiosity to a global powerhouse.
It wasn't just about the plot. It was about the feeling.
The show captured a very specific time in Seoul—the transition from the old-school 90s vibes to the high-tech, polished 2010s. It was the middle ground. It was messy. The characters lived in small apartments with peeling wallpaper. They rode scooters through narrow alleys. The "starfish" represents that grit. It’s a creature of the ocean floor, not the surface.
👉 See also: Cast of Troubled Youth Television Show: Where They Are in 2026
Addressing the Misconceptions
A lot of people think the "starfish" thing is just a fan-made nickname for the couple. It’s not. While it's not a heavy-handed symbol like the green light in The Great Gatsby, it is a recurring piece of imagery used in fan art and official merchandise during the show’s peak.
Some fans also confuse the metaphor with the "Starfish and Coffee" song by Prince, assuming the show writers were fans. While never officially confirmed as the primary inspiration, the parallels between Eun-chan’s character and the lyrics of that song are too striking to ignore. Both celebrate the weird, the unconventional, and the beautiful "others" of the world.
How to Experience Coffee Prince Today
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of Han-kyul and Eun-chan, don’t just watch the show. Look at the details.
- Watch the Documentary: In 2020, the cast reunited for a two-part documentary called My Dear Youth - Coffee Prince. They sat in the original cafe and watched their old scenes. Watching Gong Yoo blush at his own acting is a religious experience for any drama fan.
- Visit the Cafe (with realistic expectations): The Coffee Prince cafe in Hongdae (Seoul) is still there, but it’s often in various states of repair. It’s more of a pilgrimage site than a functional, high-end coffee shop these days.
- Listen to the OST on Vinyl: If you can find it, the soundtrack is the perfect example of 2000s Korean indie music.
The show holds up because it deals with things that are still true: the fear of being yourself, the pressure of family, and the fact that coffee tastes better when someone else makes it for you with love.
The Actionable Insight: Embracing Your Inner "Starfish"
So, what do we actually take away from the whole "Starfish and Coffee Prince" phenomenon?
It’s about the "alien" love. If you feel like a starfish in a world of sleek, polished dolphins, that’s okay. Han-kyul loved the starfish. He loved the person who didn't fit the mold. In your own life—whether it's your career or your relationships—the takeaway is to look for the "starfish" moments. Those are the times when you are most yourself, even if it feels out of place.
To truly appreciate the series in 2026, pay attention to the silence. Pay attention to the scenes where no one is talking, and they’re just brewing coffee or staring out at the Seoul skyline. That’s where the real story lives. The starfish is a reminder that even if you lose a limb—or your identity, or your job—you can grow back. You can change. You can become something new while still holding onto your core.
Keep your eyes open for those subtle symbols. They are what turn a simple TV show into a masterpiece that lasts for decades.