Cagongjok: South Korean Cafes Facing Student Overstays
The Rise of ‘Cagongjok’: Why South Korea Works-and Lives-in Cafés
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Beyond Coffee: A Cultural shift
In south korea, the local café has evolved far beyond a simple destination for a caffeine fix. It’s become a central hub for daily life,a workspace,a study hall,and,for many,a vital social anchor.This phenomenon, increasingly known as “cagongjok” (카페족 – café tribe), reflects a unique blend of the country’s fast-paced urban lifestyle and deeply ingrained social values. As of August 22, 2025, this trend continues to reshape public spaces and societal norms.
For some, the appeal of a café extends beyond reliable Wi-Fi and readily available refreshments. It’s a search for a sense of grounding and belonging. Yu-jin Mo,29,shared her personal story,revealing a childhood marked by instability. Growing up in foster care,she described living wiht her father in a small container,sometimes locked inside while he was away. “Home wasn’t a safe place,” she told the BBC.Even as an adult, she finds solitude arduous, explaining, “as soon as I wake up, I go to a cafe. I tried libraries and study cafes, but they felt suffocating.” Driven by her own experiences, Mo even operated a café for a year, hoping to create a welcoming environment for others seeking a sense of community and stability.
The Weight of competition and limited Resources
The rise of cagongjok isn’t simply a matter of preference; it’s a response to systemic pressures. professor Choi Ra-young of Ansan University,a lifelong education expert,views this as a cultural phenomenon deeply rooted in South Korea’s intensely competitive society. “This is a youth culture created by the society we’ve built,” she explained to the BBC. The majority of those participating are likely students or job seekers facing immense pressure from academic expectations, job market insecurity, and frequently enough, inadequate living conditions. Many lack dedicated study spaces at home, with cramped apartments and a lack of privacy being common challenges.
Professor Choi emphasizes that these young people are, in a way, “victims of a system that doesn’t provide enough public space for them to work or learn.” While sometimes perceived as disruptive, she argues they are a direct outcome of societal structures. This highlights a critical need for re-evaluation of public resource allocation and the creation of more accessible and supportive environments for students and young professionals.
Addressing the Need: A Call for Inclusive Spaces
Recognizing the reality of cagongjok, professor Choi advocates for a proactive approach. “We need guidelines and environments that allow for cafe studying – without disturbing others - if we want to accommodate this culture realistically.” This suggests a need for collaboration between café owners, local governments, and community stakeholders to develop solutions that balance the needs of all users. Potential solutions could include designated quiet zones within cafés, extended hours, or the creation of publicly funded co-working spaces designed to mimic the café atmosphere.