(Updated: 2025) Looking to escape the heat or cold? Need to take a little rest in the middle of the day? Time to discover the delightful world of comic book cafes! About Comic Book Cafes in Korea Comic book cafes offer a space to relax, enjoy reading, play games, or take a brief nap. Who hasn’t been out in town, exhausted, just wanting to lie down in a quiet place with a nice cup of tea or coffee and just relax for an hour or two? Oh yeah, and read something… maybe. Comic Book Cafes Offer Rest What we mean is that although these are amazing places to go read comic books and study your Korean, and have fun. They are also spaces to escape the heat and cold on a busy day and get a little rest, especially for families. A place where your mind can take a break and your body can have a rest. Embrace it. Own it. Do it. This is how many of us expats have learned to survive life when we get overwhelmed. Different comic book cafes in Pyeongtaek operate in different ways. Some require a drink purchase, and others allow you to just pay by the hour. This week we went to one near AK Plaza and two hours at the cafe with an americano and a green tea was only 7,000 won. That’s crazy affordable. The spaces also usually have snacks you can buy, like ramen or chips, just in case you get hungry. We go to these cafes for a variety of reasons: to take a nap, to study Korean, to read our own books, to eat a snack, and to study for graduate school.  What you need to know when you visit Since you haven’t been to a comic book cafe before, here is some of the hidden culture you might need to know: Hidden Culture and Unspoken Expectations Comic book cafes are usually quiet and low-key spaces. They’re built for reading, resting, and decompressing. Here are a few unspoken rules and cultural points to know before you go: No Loud Talking or Phone Calls These cafes are not social hangout spaces like regular coffee shops. Even if you’re with friends, conversations should be whispered or kept to a minimum. Use Earbuds If you are going to watch a movie on your phone, use earbuds. Shoes Off at Most Locations Some comic book cafes have private floor seating and ask you to take your shoes off. They often provide lockers where you put your shoes and then take the key with you. Check for signs or watch what others are doing. Not for Running and Jumping Think library. You Can Sleep If you fall asleep, it’s ok. You can pay for the extra time when you check out.   Pay First, Then Pick Your Seat You usually pay for a set amount of time when you enter (like 1, 2, or 3 hours), and then you choose your seat. Many cafes have booths, private cubicles, or floor mats. Some offer unlimited drinks or snacks, while others charge extra. Overnight Options In some areas, comic cafes are open 24 hours and may offer a place to nap. These are often used by locals who miss the last train. Expect lower lighting and more of a “crash space” vibe after midnight. Search for Comic Book Cafes in Korea If you’re using Naver Maps, Kakao Maps, or Instagram to search for comic book cafes in Korea, using Hangul will give you better results than English. Try searching the following terms: You can combine these terms with your location name for better search results. For example: Also, check hashtags on Instagram for real-time updates and user photos: Are Comic Book Cafes Family Friendly? Comic book cafes can be a great family outing, but a few things to keep in mind: If you want to visit a comic book cafe with your child, we recommend: Locations in Pyeongtaek-si Now that you know what is expected, here are some comic book cafes around Pyeongtaek. Each cafe is in a different neighborhood. We did this so that wherever you are while you are out on an adventure, you can find a place to take a quick rest. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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