Imagine needing a notebook a haircut or even a new phone. The Seoul National University Student Center is the go-to location on campus for all of that. It is known as building 63. Here at the Student Center you can expect to come out with precisely what you need.
Student clubs also have their rooms here. They use them for fraternization and relaxation. Cuddled in between these rooms is Moonwha Incubator. It is a café that students organize and manage.
Moonwha Incubator officially opened in 2000. It has not been registered in the Student Club Association. This demonstrates its wish to remain completely independent. It is run by and for students without any restrictions. The founders chose the name to make it a location. They wanted the seeds of university culture to be planted and eventually nourish.
Upon entering the café the first thing you will notice is the home-like environment. It is a small café with only a few tables and benches. This environment starkly contrasts with the large and spacious locations provided by famous franchise cafés. The café space strives to provide a communal spirit among students. This quality contrasts to the commercial and anonymous cafes you find in Seoul. This small space offers a coziness that is inspiring. Students are often seen working on essays for class. Others are simply daydreaming inhaling the warm steam from the inspiring and tranquil environment.
Such inspiration comes at a low cost. Moonwha Incubator offers a variety of drinks and side dishes at low costs. The most expensive side dish is the large-sized honey bread. It costs only 3500 KRW. In addition there are no drinks that cost over 2500 KRW. It is rare to find such low prices outside of campus. Drinks there cost at least 2500 KRW. In order to reduce waste Moonwha Incubator does not give drinks in disposable cups. Thus you must bring your own tumbler to have a drink on the go.
Eun Hur from the College of Business Administration expressed her appreciation for the café. She said she didn’t know there was such a place in the Student Center. She recently visited the café. It is a place where you can have a quiet rest unlike the other wildly loud cafés in our school.
Located on the fourth floor of the Student Center the café is open on weekdays. Its hours are 12 PM to 6 PM during the regular semesters. It is open from 12 PM to 5 PM in both summer and winter semesters.
The Student Center is in the middle of the campus. It sits between the Main Library and the Administration Building. This is why it is always crowded with students from all over the campus. It accommodates various facilities. These include the school health center a pharmacy a student lounge and a bookstore. Also rooms for the Student Union and many of the student clubs are located in this building. The main cafeteria on the ground floor serves food even on weekends and holidays. It is famous for its cheap price.