Students study at Mapo Naru Space, a public learning facility in Seoul’s Mapo District, on April 20. Korea Times photo by Kwon Jeong-hyun
As midterm exam season approaches for students at all levels in South Korea, Mapo Naru Space, a public study space for students in Seoul’s Mapo District, was crowded with students on Monday evening.
Even as the clock ticked past 9 p.m., only three of its 114 seats were available.
“Cafes are often too noisy, and study cafes — quiet, laptop-friendly spaces that serve coffee — are not cost-effective unless you go there every day,” said Lee, a 22-year-old college student.
“This place is very affordable and well-maintained, which is why I come here every exam season.”
About a five-minute walk down the street, that same air of quiet intensity that marks exam season was absent at a private study cafe. Twenty-seven of its 70 seats — nearly 40 percent — were empty.
Jo, the 63-year-old owner, said sales have fallen sharply since Mapo Naru Space opened in the neighborhood two years ago.
“I took over the business after being told monthly net profit would be around 8 million won ($5,400), but these days there is barely any profit at all,” Jo said.
He said he had decided to shut down the business and put the property on the market last month.
Jo’s case is one example of a growing conflict between private business owners and local governments as more districts open publicly run study spaces. While many residents welcome the chance to use such facilities at a low cost, small business owners who operate private study cafes say they are being pushed to the brink of business closure.
Source: Korea Times News
