The Korea Herald

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[Korea Quiz] What are “cagongjok?"

By Korea Herald

Published : July 5, 2023 - 11:44

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Find the correct answer at the bottom of the page.

Cafes are found in almost every nook and cranny of Seoul, as well as elsewhere throughout the country.

A common sight in these establishments is individuals sitting at tables meant for four, engrossed in intellectual activity -- predominantly studying -- with their headphones on.

These individuals have come to be called "cagongjok," a blend of the words "cafe," "gongbu" (studying) and "jok" (tribe). The term directly translates to "a tribe of people who study at cafes," and these cafe-goers are currently the subject of intense debate in Korea.

Recently, the controversy was further fueled by one cafe owner’s complaint about a customer who allegedly brought not only their laptop but also their printer to set up a makeshift office in a cafe, raising concerns about the cafe's profitability.

Answer: (c)