In the upscale Daechi neighborhood of Seoul, the debate on the use of cafés by students and young professionals has reached a boiling point. This trend, known as 'Cagongjok', describes a cultural practice where young South Koreans occupy café spaces for extensive periods to study or work, often accompanied by an array of technology.
Hyun Sung-joo, a 33-year-old café owner, expressed his frustration after one customer transformed a corner of his Starbucks into a mini office, complete with two laptops and a six-port power adapter. "With Daechi's high rents, it's challenging to sustain a business if someone holds a table for hours," he lamented. This trend has also caught the attention of Starbucks Korea, which recently implemented new regulations aimed at addressing extreme cases where patrons create expansive workspaces or leave their seats unattended, disrupting other customers.
While Starbucks is not forcibly ejecting customers, the coffee giant is providing guidance to ensure a more balanced experience for all patrons. The café environment in South Korea differs considerably from that of Western countries, proliferated by students seeking solace in public spaces. About 70% of more than 2,000 Gen Z job seekers recently surveyed by recruitment platform Jinhaksa Catch reported studying at cafés weekly.
"My café is a community hub where adults converse, tutor, or study," said Hyun, who remains supportive of Cagongjok when patrons buy drinks and maintain courtesy. He noted an emergence of 'No Study Zone' policies at some independent cafés, whereby long-term customers hampered social interactions. These community spaces need to strike a delicate balance between meeting the needs of different patrons while avoiding customer fatigue and dissatisfaction.
This cultural shift towards café studying stems from societal pressures permeating South Korea. Professor Choi Ra-young from Ansan University pointed to the competitive nature of South Korean society as a driving force, suggesting that cafés become safe havens for those who might not feel comfortable elsewhere. She advocates for more inclusive environments that accommodate Cagongjok while creating spaces that consider everyone's needs.
The dual nature of café visits—introspection and community—demonstrates the evolving landscape of how young people navigate their studies and professional prospects in bustling urban centers. As this phenomenon continues to thrive, it sparks discourse regarding the collective responsibilities of individuals and businesses to foster a society that supports varied lifestyles.
Hyun Sung-joo, a 33-year-old café owner, expressed his frustration after one customer transformed a corner of his Starbucks into a mini office, complete with two laptops and a six-port power adapter. "With Daechi's high rents, it's challenging to sustain a business if someone holds a table for hours," he lamented. This trend has also caught the attention of Starbucks Korea, which recently implemented new regulations aimed at addressing extreme cases where patrons create expansive workspaces or leave their seats unattended, disrupting other customers.
While Starbucks is not forcibly ejecting customers, the coffee giant is providing guidance to ensure a more balanced experience for all patrons. The café environment in South Korea differs considerably from that of Western countries, proliferated by students seeking solace in public spaces. About 70% of more than 2,000 Gen Z job seekers recently surveyed by recruitment platform Jinhaksa Catch reported studying at cafés weekly.
"My café is a community hub where adults converse, tutor, or study," said Hyun, who remains supportive of Cagongjok when patrons buy drinks and maintain courtesy. He noted an emergence of 'No Study Zone' policies at some independent cafés, whereby long-term customers hampered social interactions. These community spaces need to strike a delicate balance between meeting the needs of different patrons while avoiding customer fatigue and dissatisfaction.
This cultural shift towards café studying stems from societal pressures permeating South Korea. Professor Choi Ra-young from Ansan University pointed to the competitive nature of South Korean society as a driving force, suggesting that cafés become safe havens for those who might not feel comfortable elsewhere. She advocates for more inclusive environments that accommodate Cagongjok while creating spaces that consider everyone's needs.
The dual nature of café visits—introspection and community—demonstrates the evolving landscape of how young people navigate their studies and professional prospects in bustling urban centers. As this phenomenon continues to thrive, it sparks discourse regarding the collective responsibilities of individuals and businesses to foster a society that supports varied lifestyles.
