IF SHE were to travel with her beau someday, Justine Suerte would like to visit Dongdaenum Design Plaza in South Korea.
An avid watcher of Korean drama and shows, the 20-year-old learned of the famous attraction for couples, which features more than 25,000 LED roses that light up in the dark, during one of her many movie marathons.
“When I saw it, I promised myself that I’ll go there with my special someone. But since we have yet to do some saving, it might take time to go there,” she told SunStar Cebu.
With the Valentine’s Day celebration just around the corner, Suerte and her beau need not go far as more than 10,000 LED roses have “grown” in the little island of Cordova.
Inspired by his hometown’s famous attraction, Miguel Cho brought with him the artificial white roses to blanket the front lawn of his cafe.
“My intention was to create a romantic place. I wanted to make a place where a man can propose to his girlfriend.
A place where they can begin and end their love story,” he said.
The flowers, which dance with the wind by day, burst into a sea of brilliance against the dark night.
This majestic view has caught the attention of many locals, who flocked 10,000 Roses Cafe since learning of the little cafe by the sea last Saturday.
From couples of different ages, to families and groups of friends, smiles were plastered on the visitors’ faces as they posed with the roses.
But the biggest smile was on Cho’s face, as he expressed his gratitude to the large crowd enjoying the blossoms in his garden.
“I have no plans of charging fees to visitors. The damaged flowers can be fixed. I’m very thankful even if they don’t buy the beverages. Their posts on social media about the cafe is more than enough,” he said.
To expand his plans of making the cafe a symbol of love, the 28-year-old interior designer will soon set up fences were couples can leave locks to declare their affection.
The famous romantic pilgrimage is a common practice not only in Korea, but also in Paris, France and New York, USA.
“I’m envisioning the cafe as a place where even weddings can be held. With the roses beside the bride as she walks down the aisle and the sunset glow to background their union,” Cho said.
With the promise a romantic place budding out like a rose, Suerte said that instead of a ticket to Korea, she and her beau will be taking the first ferry boat to Cordova today.