Cafes are changing to suit the needs of their customers, as ‘after-dinner desserts’ has become a natural custom and the popularity of cafes has increased day by day and the age range of visitors has diversified. Therefore, if you look at the shops in the downtown area, you can see various kinds of cafes, such as tarot cafes, cartoon cafes, and room cafes. So what is the definition of an original cafe? The definition of a cafe, generally known to people, is a restaurant where you can have a light meal or drink tea. In French, coffee is called a cafe, which has been solidified into a ‘teahouse’ in Korea, a ‘house selling coffee.’ However, cafes with specific themes became popular, and the perception has changed and various kinds of cafes emerged. For example, new kinds of cafes are added to existing facilities such as comic book cafes and reading rooms, which combine strengths. In particular, study cafe has gained huge popularity among the ‘Kagong people’, (i.e. students at cafes) and has recently become more popular through appropriate marketing on social networking sites. Using this strategy they can attract more customers with the advantages of both a space for studying, and cafes for drinking tea and coffee. In addition, there are exotic cafes such as animal cafes, racing game cafes and comic book cafes, and CBT reporters visited some of these with the goal of writing this report. - Ed


An ordinary cafe where the customer can take a flattering picture



  Unlike franchise cafes, people have recently been attracted to a cafe where they can experience the great taste of coffee, colorful furniture, an antique interior, and other props for taking pictures. Cafes newly appearing are gaining great popularity with the young generation who enjoy SNS. Also, a place where you can experience a great mood or take a flattering picture is called ‘a good photo restaurant’ among customers. Thus CBT reporters visited a cafe known as ‘a good photo restaurant’ in Cheongju. The popular menu item, Coconut Smoothie, was served in a cup made of coconut, which gave the impression of eating a real coconut and cost 6,000 won. Also, there was a variety of furniture including retro-style furniture creating a luxurious mood. Unmatching furniture placed at each table in the room, creates an unconventional atmosphere. This cafe also features not only meals but also beverages, cocktails, and beer. Several full-length mirrors were visible, and all of the seats were placed in an interior where customers could take flattering pictures. It’s a good place to enjoy delicious drinks and take pictures. Baek Da-young (Department of Earth and Environmental Science, 19), who has visited this cafe, said, “The atmosphere was so antique that I could get great pictures wherever I looked.”

A room cafe a high level of privacy



  The Room cafe provides separate rooms, with the advantages of taking a rest and avoiding others’ scrutiny. Generally, the room inside the room cafe includes a sofa, TV, and computer, so you can watch movies, dramas, and animations, and drink beverages such as soda and fruit juice. Also, the price for using all of the above is 8,000 won per person and the time is unlimited. However, in case there are many customers waiting the staff may request that you don’t overstay your welcome. Unlike ordinary cafes, a room cafe offers a private space with friends which allows people to talk and act freely without caring about other people's eyes and this is the main advantage. CBT reporters visited the room cafe near the Jeomchon terminal for a closer look. First of all there were various types of rooms, such as a room with cozy lighting, and a room with a large desk in the middle suitable for having a meeting.  Secondly, the price of room cafes varies by region, and most of these cafes have unlimited time at around 8,000 won. However, the room cafe of Jeomchon terminal was available without a time limit only in case of ordering one drink per person. The café provided not only instruments such as guitars, pianos, etc., but also entertainment such as puzzles, books, and board games. Third, one of the biggest advantages of the café is that instead of offering a limited menu in the cafe you can order a variety of food to be delivered to the café. Jeon Seung-jae (Department of Earth and Environmental Science, 16), who has visited this cafe, said, “Unlike ordinary cafes, it was good to play board games or enjoy outside food without paying attention to other people’s eyes.”

A Tarot cafe, where tarot astrology is the main menu



  A Tarot cafe is a cafe where you can enjoy coffee and drinks while watching tarot fortune-telling. CBT reporters visited the famous ‘B’ tarot cafe in Cheongju to learn more about the tarot cafe. The cafe was crowded with people as it was popular and famous. First of all, it had a modern interior that could appeal to many people, but it was unique in that a movie was showing. Second, the menu offered cake and desserts similar to regular cafes. The cheapest  beverage, Americano, costs 5,000 won, and the unusual thing was that it also offered cocktails. CBT reporters ordered mojito and Walnut cake, which are the most popular options in this cafe. The mojito was priced at 7,000 won, and it didn’t contain much alcohol and was refreshing. The price of a slice of Walnut cake was 6,000 won, and the combination of sweet and soft bread and walnut was quite good. Finally, tarot stores claim to be able to predict the luck of various fields such as luck in love, and luck in your job. According to the fortune teller, the astrology of love is the most popular. The cost of showing tarot astrology is 5,000 won, which was cheaper than a professional tarot house. Too much expectation can lead to disappointment because unlike professional tarot houses, it is hard to fully trust the situation. Before consulting Taro, you can choose a ‘teller’ yourself. Seo Young-sun, a class of 2023 at Chungbuk National University’s Information and Communication Engineering Department, said, “It was a unique and fun experience in itself to see tarot that cannot be done in ordinary cafes.”

A comic book cafe where comic books are the main menu



  A comic book cafe is a place where people can enjoy coffee or drinks with comic books. It is a multi-entertainment place where you can enjoy delicious food and read books in a comfortable seat and has books of various genres, including cartoons, novels, magazines, and webtoons. It is very popular among young people because it features a unique dating space and a pleasant and quiet reading atmosphere. In fact, according to an article in The Herald Business, a comic book cafe proved its popularity by selling merchandise worth more than 1,500,000 won per day in just nine days after its opening. So, CBT reporters visited the ‘A’ cartoon cafe near Suwon Station to learn more about it. First, the price of using the comic book cafe starts from 3000 won per hour. Prices are designed to increase over time. It’s a reasonable price, but if you don't keep track of the time the added cost can quickly become a burden. Notably, it was possible to make a reservation in advance through a portal site where interior photos could be previewed.
  Upon arriving at the café, you receive a menu and a small paging device for calling the server when you are ready to order. The café offers a variety of comfortable seating options like chairs with desks, or comfortable cushions and pillows. Meals can be ordered and enjoyed anywhere in the café. The menu was diverse, including rice and tteokbokki, and an employee recommended ‘tteokbokki’ and ‘jjajang ramen’ which are popular Korean dishes. Friends and couples in their teens and 20s are the main guests, and most of them leave good reviews. In fact, the people who visited the comic book cafe said, “It was a good date course.” “It was a refreshing and pleasant place.”

  Various theme cafes are emerging in contrast with franchise cafes in the 2000s. Therefore, why are these cafes emerging and gaining popularity among people? Yoo Hyun-jung, a professor at the department of consumer science at CBNU, said, "The rapidly changing social environment and stress caused by excessive competition lead people to seek out a healing space where they could be quiet and have time to rest, and increase the desire to be immersed in animals, cartoons, and books that provide healing in similar concepts. Similarly they need to take a break from those who are close to them (family, friends, co-workers) and they try to get healing by seeking alone-time away from others. However they want to enjoy time with others who have similar hobbies and tastes, and the appropriate place to meet such friends is the theme cafe.” he said.

By Kwon Ji-ye l whodrk@cbnu.ac.kr
By Kang Min-ji l mj41@cbnu.ac.kr