'Thump Thump Thump' from the Jump Rope Academy Upstairs... Study Cafe Complains "Hundreds of Thousands of Won in Monthly Losses"

Jump Rope Academy's Thumping Noise
Noise Prevention Reinforcement Ineffective
Mat Installation Proposal Also Rejected

A story has been shared about a jump rope academy moving into the commercial space above a study cafe, causing a loss of several million won.

Photo for illustrative purposes only and unrelated to the article content

On the 18th, a self-employed person A, who has been running a study cafe for four years, posted a message titled "Is there any way to deal with the jump rope academy upstairs from the study cafe?" on the self-employed cafe 'Apeunikka Sajangida' (Because It Hurts, I'm the Boss). A said, "A jump rope academy moved into the vacant commercial space upstairs," and lamented, "The store that used to earn 7 to 8 million won a month is now running a deficit of 2 to 3 million won." A expressed severe mental stress and said, "I want to find a legal way to handle this."

The study cafe provides a quiet space for studying, similar to a reading room. Since it is a business that needs to operate quietly, it is presumed that customers have stopped coming due to noise coming down from the jump rope academy upstairs. However, A said it is difficult to get mediation from the building owner or landlord. This is because the building where A's study cafe is located is a subdivided commercial building with different owners for each unit, and the landlords of the study cafe and the jump rope academy upstairs are different. A said, "Even after reinforcing (noise prevention), the kids keep jumping continuously, so there is no solution. You can feel the vibrations in the building," and added, "I want to pay out of my own pocket to install mats for the jump rope academy, but they say the mats can't be soft."

Students are studying at a study cafe. The photo is not directly related to the content of the article.
Photo by Yonhap News

However, A's concerns are expected to be difficult to resolve legally. Noise generated in commercial spaces is classified as 'business noise,' and if noise and vibrations from a business exceed regulatory standards, the local city, county, or district office can order adjustments to working hours or installation of soundproofing and vibration-proof facilities under the Noise and Vibration Control Act. However, the allowable noise level for business noise is higher than that for noise between floors in apartment complexes. Also, the noise measurement method applies an average value rather than the maximum, making it practically difficult to exceed regulatory standards.

Netizens who read the story sympathized with A, commenting, "Who can study when someone is jumping upstairs?", "If the building owners are different, there seems to be no solution," "It's unfair, but the best way seems to be focusing more on soundproofing," "You need to negotiate with the jump rope academy owner," and "Noise measurement should be done so the academy can also install soundproofing." However, some also said, "In my neighborhood, karaoke rooms, gyms, and other businesses move in above study cafes regardless of type," and "The upstairs business also operates legally with paid permits, so there seems to be no way."