Seoul’s Robot Baristas Have More Fans Than TikTok Dancers

I waited thirty minutes at a Seoul cafe to watch a robot pour latte art shaped like a K-pop idol. The machine has a fan club with membership pins. Firmware updates drop like sneaker releases, and regulars compare pour patterns the way audiophiles compare vinyl pressings.

Automation was supposed to feel sterile. Instead, owners leaned into theatrics. They stream calibration sessions, sell NFTs of legendary pours, and host "latte patch notes" nights. Human baristas still run the show, but the robot gives them rest while boosting hype.

Does this kill human touch? Maybe not. It just shifts the obsession from beans to bytes. In a labor-starved city, charming robots keep cafes alive. Plus, I’ll admit it: that latte tasted like the future—and it was delicious.