"Taking Up a Seat for 7 Hours with One Coffee... Third Student Even Gets Private Tutoring"

Increase in Kagongjok and Cafe Gwaoejok Causes Sighs Among Self-Employed
"Block the Outlets," "Provide Low Tables" Shared

As the number of 'Kagongjok' (people who study at cafes) spending entire days at cafes increases, the sighs of cafe self-employed owners are growing deeper.

Recently, several stories from cafe owners have been posted on the self-employed online community 'Apeunikka Sajangida' (Because It Hurts, I'm the Boss). They complained that the presence of Kagongjok customers lowers store turnover rates, causing sales losses.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo source=Pixabay]

Self-employed owner A wrote, "A customer ordered a 3,000 won drink and has been working on their laptop for 4 hours. I want to ask them to leave."

Another owner B said, "A Kagongjok customer orders a latte and keeps studying. We put up notices inside and inform them when they order," adding, "They seem to forget while studying, but it causes stress."

C, who recently opened a cafe, also shared concerns: "A customer who comes 3 to 4 times a week always orders a 3,500 won Americano or a 4,500 won hand-drip coffee and sits for at least 6 hours a day."

C said, "Especially, they always sit alone at a four-person table. On weekends, groups of four have left because there was no seat due to that person. We even rearranged the seating, but they keep using only the four-person table."

They added, "Today, they sat for over 7 hours. We haven't set any time limits yet, but because of this person, I'm seriously considering it."

Not only Kagongjok but also 'Gwaoejok' cause headaches... Store owners share coping methods

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung, Asia Economy aymsdream@

Self-employed owners also expressed complaints about 'Gwaoejok' (private tutoring customers), not just Kagongjok.

One owner said, "Gwaoejok are even more troublesome than Kagongjok. A private tutor customer once occupied a seat with three different students changing over time. It lasted a total of 7 hours."

An owner running a waffle shop with only two tables said, "Why do they keep tutoring in this small store? One group at lunch, another in the evening. I wonder if it's become known as the tutoring hotspot in the neighborhood. They come almost every day, order only a 3,800 won Americano each, and hold tutoring sessions. It’s frustrating."

In response, other self-employed owners shared their own ways to deal with Kagongjok. Comments included: "Block the power outlets," "Play loud and noisy music continuously," "Put up notices that only two or more people can sit at four-person tables," "No need to be polite. Write 'Study at study cafes' in big letters," "Make sure to inform customers about the 2-hour time limit," and "Place notices on tables stating one drink per person."

Some owners even suggested drastic measures. D, who runs a small cafe near a university, said, "We replaced tables with lower height ones," hinting, "Turnover feels higher than before." One owner commented that they put up a sign on the cafe wall saying 'No Study Zone.'

However, some expressed anxiety about kicking out Kagongjok customers. Some shared difficulties such as, "I'm worried it might look petty," "It's awkward to bring it up with customers," "I'm scared of rumors spreading since it's a neighborhood business," and "Even after informing them, it's uncomfortable to say it again."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.