In Seoul's affluent Daechi neighbourhood, café owner Hyun Sung-joo recently faced a familiar dilemma: a customer set up two laptops and a six-port power strip — and stayed the entire day.
“I ended up blocking off the power outlets,” Hyun said. “With Daechi’s high rents, it’s difficult to run a café if someone occupies a seat all day.”
This is part of a growing cultural trend in South Korea called “Cagongjok” — a nickname for young people who work or study for hours in cafés. The trend has become so widespread that major chains are taking notice.
Earlier this month, Starbucks Korea introduced new nationwide guidelines to discourage extreme cases of “seat hogging,” including customers bringing desktop monitors, printers, or partitioning off areas as private offices.
The chain said staff would offer “guidance” instead of enforcing strict rules, citing theft concerns and disruptions to other customers as key motivators.
Public response has been mixed. Some welcome the move, saying cafés have become too quiet and crowded for social visits. Others worry the policy targets students and job seekers who rely on such spaces for lack of better options.
Hyun, a café owner for 15 years, said extreme cases are rare. “It’s maybe two or three out of a hundred,” he said. “Most people are considerate.”
In Jeonju, another café owner took a firmer approach, implementing a “No Study Zone” after witnessing customers monopolising space for entire days. “Two people would come in and take over space for 10,” he said.
Experts point to deeper issues. Professor Choi Ra-young of Ansan University called Cagongjok “a youth culture created by a hyper-competitive society.” She added, “They’re under pressure — from academics, job insecurity, or lack of adequate housing.”
Yu-jin Mo, 29, who grew up in foster care, finds safety and comfort in cafés. “Home wasn’t a safe place. As soon as I wake up, I go to a café,” she said.
With nearly 100,000 coffee shops nationwide — a 48% increase over five years — cafés have become a vital refuge for many. A recent survey found 70% of Gen Z job seekers study in cafés at least weekly.
As the debate continues, many agree that a balance is needed — one that allows young people a space to study without disrupting others. “We need environments that reflect how people really live,” said Professor Choi.
Source: BBC
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
