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The First Shop of Coffee Prince:  On discovering what it is to be gay

The First Shop of Coffee Prince (CP) is a Korean romantic comedy that was aired in 2007 by MBC. Although it was not intended to be a story about discovering being gay, it spurred much discussion about this topic.

CP is about Go Eun Chan (portrayed by the popular Korean actress Yoon Eun Hye), a young girl who, after the death of her father, becomes the breadwinner of the family. Eun Chan dresses and acts like a boy in order to get jobs, which are usually given to boys.  Choi Han Kyul (portrayed the handsome Gong Yoo) is the heir to a company that sells coffee. Although Han Kyul shows potential for being a good businessman, he has no drive to work. His grandmother later challenges him to resuscitate the business of a coffee shop, which happens to be a favorite hang out of Eun Chan. In taking up that challenge, Han Kyul decides to hire only male baristas. Of course, Eun Chan disguises herself as a boy and is eventually hired as a barista. (more…)