One of the places that Korean students often visit during the exam period is the study cafe. Today, we’re going to find out about the study cafe! I also recommend foreign students studying in Korea to study at a study cafe after reading this article!
1. Study cafe
A study cafe literally means a cafe that people visit for the purpose of studying
A study cafe is a mixture of library and cafe operations, which Korean students call “ska” in short
Unlike ordinary cafes that sell drinks and refreshments and don’t charge an admission fee, study cafes pay and use them on an hourly basis
The study cafe was newly opened in Korea.
There used to be a reading room. As the name suggests, the reading room is designed to be able to study quietly while reading books. The reading room is a place where desks with large partitions are lined up in a quiet space, and this place is also used for hourly payment or monthly approval.
This traditional reading room has been in Korea for a long time, but it has been gradually disappearing since 2017 after giving up its place in a new study cafe. So why are study cafes more popular than study rooms?
With the recent development and change of Korean society, the perception of studying has changed a lot. Students’ preferences for the way they study and the space they study have changed a lot compared to the past. So study cafes are becoming more popular.
In the past, people often regard studying as fighting alone in a quiet space, so a reading room that simply provides a quiet space was considered the best place to study. However, as the times have passed, the opinion that it is rather effective to study with others in an open space has become popular, and study cafes where you can study together in an open space have become popular.
The study cafe also operates a study room, so you can use it when several people have meetings or study together.
Of course, the fee is higher than that of a single person space, but there is no better place for a group project or club activities.
2. Tips for choosing a good study cafe
- Interior and Space Size
- Toilet, parking lot, WiFi presence or absence
- Presence of study room
- Location
- Price
- Near a good restaurant
3. Average price of study cafe
All-day ticket: From morning to evening – 10,000 won +
Late-night ticket: After 10 p.m. until the next morning – 6,000 won +
Time ticket: 2 hours or more per hour – 2,000 won +
Regular tickets: 24-hour tickets, weekday tickets, weekend tickets, daytime tickets, night tickets, late-night tickets, etc., and the prices vary widely.
Study room: Double room + reservation is available every 30 minutes for more than 1 hour. I recommend that you register first when you make a reservation for a study room.
(It varies from study cafe to study cafe, so we recommend you visit the nearby study cafe or call in person.)
4. How to use the study cafe
Most study cafes are operated unattended using kiosks.
If the kiosk uses the seat payment system:
1. Enter your mobile phone number. (There is also a kiosk that creates and logs in your ID and password.)
2. Select your preferred seat or study room.
3. Select the hours of use. (Day passes, time passes, etc.)
4. If you receive a barcode through a receipt or cell phone, you can enter using the barcode.
5. Information such as Wi-Fi or remaining time can be received through the registered phone number.
6. If you want to extend the time or charge the time, you can extend it at the kiosk.
