By day, dapper with coffee in hand and by night, a stud with the razor- Daniel Choi lives the double lifestyle.

Having first apprenticed as a barber at Hongdae’s most revered men’s grooming and barber shop, nothing N nothing, about seven years ago, Daniel has since endeavored into other diverse ventures.

Join us as we start the day with Daniel at 33apartment, a café co-founded by himself and 3 of his elementary school friends. Tucked away in a quiet side street of Hannam-dong, the café differentiates itself from Seoul’s many-a-coffee spots with its overly simplified menu that aims to focus on serving the best quality coffee. The set up here is also different from Korea’s dabang (coffee shop) culture where people tend to sit in one spot for long hours of conversation. Instead, the layout encourages for movement and dynamic interaction with other customers and the baristas.

After a solid cup of joe, we headed upstairs in the same building to Daniel’s other passion for the sartorial- bespoke suit brand, Sartisan. They offer a made-to-order suit service and a ready-to-wear line, both using fabrics sourced from Italy’s Vitale Barberis Canonico, the UK’s Dormeuil, and the like.

Later after sunset, we caught up with Daniel at the barbershop. Suit jacket off and nowhere to be seen, we entered an entirely different mood and almost an entirely different person. Fitting to the shop’s atmosphere of 1950s rockabilly USA, Daniel sported a traditional barber’s jacket and snipped away. Founded by notorious personality Donald King, the shop is inimitable and a true staple to the neighborhood.

Whether you’re looking for a cup of coffee, suit, or cut – swing by and ask for Daniel.

33apartment / Address: Hannamdae-ro 27gil 33

Sartisan / Address: Hannamdae-ro 27gil 33

nothing N nothing / Address: 335-20 Seokyo-dong, Mapo-gu