The coffee culture in South Korea is recently experiencing an evolution, with a new trend called “cagong” (카공) quietly reshaping the way people use cafés. This phenomenon has turned coffee shops into more than just places to enjoy coffee and pastries, or social gathering spots.
How is this shift affecting café owners and the industry as a whole? Is it a blessing for business or a growing challenge? Keep reading to uncover the impact of the cagong trend and what it means for the future of South Korea’s coffee scene.
What Koreans Are Into: Instant Noodles, Ice Cream, Drinks, Beer, Chicken Chains, & Coffee ShopsK-Culture InsightsNov 23, 2024
What is the Cagong Trend in South Korea?
The term “cagong” is a blend of the first syllables of “café” and “gongbu” (the Korean word for study), referring to the growing trend of Koreans studying in coffee shops. However, it’s not just students who embrace this practice—many others also use cafés as their workspaces.
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In recent years, the number of solo café-goers—largely students, freelancers, and remote workers—has been increasing. These individuals spend hours at a coffee shop, either studying or working. This growth in cagong customers has become a significant part of Korea's thriving café culture.
Over the past decade or so, coffee shops have disapproved of this practice. They prohibited such visitors from staying for hours on the premises, mainly because of diminished sales momentum. That perspective is no longer the norm today.
How is the Cagong Trend Influencing the Coffee Shop Indust
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