1. What does it mean?
카공 combines 카페 and 공부: doing study work at a cafe. 카공족 refers to people who use cafes as study spaces.
Also written or said as 카공족, 카페 공부, cafe studying
2. The nuance
The word describes an activity, not a guarantee that a cafe welcomes lengthy laptop sessions. In a review, 카공하기 좋다 usually signals that the writer found the place suitable for studying. Check the venue's own seating and time rules.
3. Examples
“도서관이 쉬는 날이라 동네에서 잠깐 카공했어.”
The library was closed, so I studied for a little while at a neighborhood cafe.
“카공하러 갈 때는 이어폰이랑 읽을 책만 챙겨.”
When I go to study at a cafe, I just bring earphones and a book.
Sources
Korea Policy Briefing: language and culture
References support the meaning and usage. Example sentences are written for NoCapWiki.