Jibmusil Tour (feat. Rocketpunch's Job-Seeker Company)

A very personal and rather private tour-tale written from experiences visiting every branch of Jibmusil, the rising star in the shared-office category.

Previously, when I used Jibmusil as a paying customer (with cost), the relationship didn't last long. I used only one of the three trial days and churned out immediately. After quite some time, I ended up joining the Job-Seeker Company promotion run by Rocketpunch. And it turned out this promotion included Jibmusil access as a benefit. Since Jibmusil had left me with as much disappointment as expectation, I decided to tour around and build a deeper, purer experience of the service itself from the user (no cost) perspective this time.
Jibmusil carries a subtle vibe somewhat different from recruitment sites like Saramin or JobKorea that Rocketpunch is compared to, and it also feels different from ordinary shared offices like FastFive or WeWork. Rather than merely differing in the scale of space or market size, the concept or category itself feels different. FastFive seems to pursue revenue through 1) B2B (ads or partnerships) or 2) B2B2C (two-sided markets around education, PB-product distribution) based on its tenants. Jibmusil, however, links itself with recruitment services. Conversely, Rocketpunch links itself with office spaces.

The Tour.

Wangsimni. The closest to me and the branch I visited most. Even before Job-Seeker Company I had been personally interested, and I had visited this branch on the trial service. Being a duplex, it feels the most spacious. The flow to the phone booths and meeting rooms is good. Teams or small-unit organizations can sit together and collaborate without trouble. It might just be the most Jibmusil-like interior. On that first trial visit, there were honestly a lot of uncomfortable points. Figuring out the Wi-Fi password and how to get to the bathroom was ridiculously difficult. The KakaoTalk chat support also produced maddening situations. Both hardware and software were unfriendly. There were communication channels, but responses were perfunctory. There was an app, but the information I needed wasn't there; the interior was beautiful, but the interface was confusing. On my first-use day, the feeling when I first scanned the QR to enter and the feeling when I left were not 180 degrees apart but a full 360 degrees. Probably because my expectations had been high. I deleted the app that same day. Then, once I joined Job-Seeker Company, I visited again. And on that first day back, I spotted another (paying) customer going through the same difficulty I had. That day he asked me, saying his check-in/out had gotten tangled from a bathroom break, to please scan the QR once for him so he could exit. ⭐⭐⭐
https://place.map.kakao.com/251769747

Jeongdong Main Branch. The star rating on KakaoMap was so low that I honestly hesitated for a long time over whether to visit. As a service planner, I was really curious about Jibmusil's MVP. I set off and arrived. "Oh, it's here?" — it's located in an unexpectedly tucked-away spot. The space was as small as the reviews and ratings suggested, and you could hear people's conversation. But how can I put it.. perhaps because it's the flagship, or because my expectations were low, the negative preconceptions flipped the moment I opened the door. The air (atmosphere) was different. The conversations of people working inside didn't feel like recorded white noise but actually served as real white noise. The space was small. There was no seat. But the manager's (staff's?) guidance was impressive. He sincerely apologized that there were no open seats and offered me refreshments in the community space while I waited. A little later, when a seat opened up, he notified me and rejoiced together that a spot had opened. It started with empathy, passed through thoughtfulness, and ended with empathy. Inconvenience turned into gratitude and anticipation. The physical constraints were no longer drawbacks. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://place.map.kakao.com/2054990450

Nakseongdae. Since I went on the weekend, it felt like a wide-open meadow. Broad and large. I remember the bathroom being inside, too. It had the feel of the Jibmusil team's own interior design. It was inside, right? I have only an impression of how comfortable it was. Like how, when photographing a great restaurant, if the food is really delicious the 'proof shot' ends up being the empty plate rather than the food before eating — only the good impression stays with me. The one somewhat disappointing thing was that it was absurdly hot. Very dry. I moved seats about three times, I recall. While moving, I realized the space's interface wasn't great. Because the zones were divided into large blocks, if even one person is sitting in a zone you end up checking elsewhere; as a result, though there were plenty of empty seats, there wasn't a seat to sit in — the opposite situation from the flagship. It was a strange yet valuable experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://place.map.kakao.com/539247489

Seokchon. It uses two divided floors. The lobby is on the upper floor. The pantry(?) and OA equipment sit together, so the copier/fax noise gets masked. There are lots of intermediate rest (shared, community) spaces. The signature seat-and-table combos that make you think of Jibmusil (custom-made?) are grouped together unlike at other branches. I thought it'd be nice for teams (or small-unit organizations). The bathroom is the building's bathroom. Men's on the lower floor, women's on the upper.. originally each floor seems to have had both, but they split them by floor. A brilliant move. Even during the important(?) morning hours, one can probably have enough breathing room. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://place.map.kakao.com/362249629

Gongdeok. Since I'd read glowing intros to the 360 Branch #1 on blogs, my expectations were high.. well.. it felt quite different. Better not to have read the posts. The materials you see or touch first feel cheaper than at other branches. For seats in the enclosed area between the atrium and the large inner table, the MacBook keyboard clicks echo. It seems to be a customized space. This is probably because, in the customization process, the space under the tabletops is wider than a factory base (leg) — more than a material issue. The spatial composition also just feels like a study cafe, and the refreshment operations are quite disappointing. The ice maker(?), which you don't see at other branches, produces such loud noise for so long after one use that it's embarrassing (.. of all things-). On top of that, the showcase (room service) keeps producing a repetitive motor hum. The BGM selection is almost pointless. The bathroom is the building's bathroom and, well.. not bad, but relatively not satisfying. It's a relatively empty day today.. honestly- I feel like I shouldn't have gone to this branch. Take off the Jibmusil logo and it's no different from any upscale(?) study cafe. The Gongdeok branch doesn't provide separate refreshments, so when I got vaguely hungry I tried the room service as a test.. but the showcase's location was in a rather-attention-getting spot, so slowly picking through items felt awkward. The products were the unusual(?) kind you don't often spot at convenience stores or marts. Cost-performance was very low. I felt 'do I really need this at this price?' to the point that, with a pitying heart, I started wondering about the MD's criteria. Is the distribution margin that fat? Are these strongly-recommended products that someone got hooked on during life abroad? Or are these popular products famous to everyone but me? User discontent? Ignoring it anyway (though I'd already been distracted), I picked one, scanned the barcode, and pulled it out. The items were too limited and the value was poor. ⭐
https://place.map.kakao.com/90334804

Mokdong (Omokgyo Station). Since it's called the Mokdong branch, I assumed Mokdong Station and walked a long way after getting off there. You have to get off at Omokgyo Station. And even from Omokgyo Station, the distance from the subway is a bit greater than at other branches. The space is very upscale and private-feeling. The moment you step in, the weariness of having walked so long fades. The staff also felt somewhat different from those I'd seen — like a model? A bodyguard? Of course, she's probably one among the 'voila!' ladies. The space spreads across one floor. The composition feels like a higher proportion of seats for assigned(?) members. The meeting rooms are located in the middle along the entrance. The meeting rooms and phone booths feel slightly few for the space, but along the long windows at the front of the building there's a cafe-grade wide area, so short calls and phone chats seem fine. Of course, for conversations they recommend the designated meeting rooms and phone booths. The bathroom is the building's bathroom. Clean. The building seems new or renewed. ⭐⭐⭐
https://place.map.kakao.com/719263007

Ilsan. Located in the KT building (machine wing). Parking is available. Of course, this might have been possible because it was a weekend. The parking fee is on the cheaper side, probably because it's shared with public institutions like the health center. Because it's far from home I drove, and I searched for nearby parking via Modu's Parking; later I realized I didn't need to. It took a bit over an hour to arrive. The parking lot was dim.. but the moment the elevator opened and I stepped into Jibmusil, a "wow-" came out of me. The Mokdong, Wangsimni, and Nakseongdae branches aren't small by any means.. and while the Ilsan branch isn't particularly large, perhaps because of a central object (old KT equipment), the space composition is outstandingly good. At most branches, if it weren't a Jibmusil signature seat, even a table might read as idle space or a decorative element-object; but here, even the non-signature seats are arranged to be sit-worthy. In that respect it feels similar to the Wangsimni branch. Relative to the space, the proportion of private seats and various general seats is actually higher than the signature seat proportion, but unlike the Gongdeok branch, it still feels Jibmusil-ish. And the painting-like rest spaces that were in the very wide Nakseongdae branch and Seokchon branch are composed here together. While not as many as at Nakseongdae or Seokchon, perhaps because the large objects are in the same space, the rest space is literally like a painting. The bathroom uses the building's bathroom; it's large enough that you don't have to wait in line, and clean, but because the management is separate, the tissue supplies are overflowing. This too is probably because it's a weekend. Since the health center shares it and the building has scale, it'll likely be more sanitary on weekdays. It's on the 3rd floor; take the elevator up, but on the way down, take the stairs. The building's own tabling is well done. The building itself has plenty of rest areas. For reference, there's a cafe on the 1st floor, and on B1 an Emart 24 sits together with a rest space. I came by car today, but looking at the map, there's a nearby subway station, so public transportation shouldn't be inconvenient either. Very personally, this is the only branch that made me feel 'I wish it were in front of my house' or 'I wish I could move nearby'. For reference, the Wangsimni branch is located in an officetel building. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://place.map.kakao.com/1036589991

Bundang. On B1. The most recently opened branch. Composed of two large spaces. Similar in size to Gongdeok. Looking at the ice maker and room service (self-service showcase) configuration, it seems to be a 360-model branch. Yet it's different. So cozy. Probably one of the top few. How can it be so different? To that extent. Every small corner has many Jibmusil-like touches. Is it the difference in arrangement order? The difference in props? Incidentally, the phone booths here are built wider than elsewhere. The exterior is distinctive. There are a few — not many — signature(?) seats. The showcase uses a mini showcase dedicated to drinks rather than cafe-use, and it blends nicely with the antique interior, so there's no noise. The ice maker hums, same as Gongdeok, but from a seat the sound is minimal. The BGM here is quiet jazz and very soft white noise; strange how the ice maker sounds so faint.. to the point I almost thought I was mishearing it. I suspect the positioning of the corridor and seats plays a role. For the bathroom, there's a shared bathroom directly opposite the Jibmusil entrance — very clean, spacious, and close. And, like when I visited Ilsan, I drove here too. You might worry about parking because it's Bundang, but it's right next to the Bundang-gu Office (1,200 won?) and the park (free if a spot is available), so parking is convenient; use the park-and-ride and it's 1,000 won per hour, so even long work sessions aren't burdensome. ⭐⭐⭐
https://place.map.kakao.com/756810725

(The ⭐ criteria are extremely personal, detail-driven, and mood-driven, so I recommend also consulting others' reviews and posts on Naver or Kakao Map.)

Rough Retrospective.

Even before Job-Seeker Company, I'd been personally interested and had visited Jibmusil as a trial user. Before that, I'd used WeWork and FastCampus. I also once proposed to my company and used a spot as a TF office for several years. I also frequent study cafes and nomad shared offices. But Jibmusil is a bit different. That good feel is hard to explain, but it's similar to how — even while using Saramin or Wanted — one still chooses to use Rocketpunch. Despite Rocketpunch's interface and usage environment being inconvenient, every time I change jobs I persuade the company and its team members to register an account on Rocketpunch.

Of course, not every Jibmusil branch gives the same impression. On my first trial visit to the Wangsimni Jibmusil, I deleted the app within a day. Then I moved to nearby study-dedicated open cafes like Jaksim or StudyRang, cafe-style reading rooms like Jaksim, or Homework in Gwangjin-gu. Had my first visit been Gongdeok rather than Wangsimni, I think I'd have stopped using it from the next day too, but for different reasons.
Honestly, looking at Rocketpunch (pushes, interface, bookmarks, etc.) and Jibmusil (app, facility use, pricing, facility inquiries, etc.) separately, they have many rough edges. I'll admit each has unique points, but the moment I think of switching from user (free) to consumer (paid) mode, disappointments suddenly pile up. Amid that, just in time (I don't know the PO's intent; this is my personal view), the Job-Seeker Company program, which bridges them, (personally, for free) users makes it feel as if something is moving organically. Of course, the most important question of monetization is a different matter. I don't know how funnel analysis is being done on Job-Seeker Company participants, but I'm very curious about how users are flowing and how this organization is interpreting it. I hope they're gaining great insights so that this can keep growing into a better service.

Personal Wishes.

It isn't a product/service I'm involved with, but because it feels like a service where real affection lingers — as when you buy and use a real product — here are a few wishes I'd like to record:
1) First, I'd like a temperature check placed at the entrance, linked with the app. Jibmusil as a whole is slightly hot and dry (TMI: personally, I feel Jeongdong has the optimal temperature/humidity). Many people take their masks off. Especially in assigned seats (private rooms), everyone does. And yet coughing is very frequent. Sensitivity to COVID may be decreasing, but with just a bit of effort, there's no reason to invite trouble. Yesterday a fire broke out in the sound-barrier tunnel on the 2nd Gyeongin Expressway. While most of us may have imagined it theoretically, who actually expected it to happen? I hope contingency concerns get reflected. Since this is a service where people actually stay in a physical space and build relationships — not just an app — I hope the approach is less MVP and more humane / emotional in touch.
2) The price plan is disappointing. I'm curious about the basis of 33,000 won. Is it meant to onboard people with low friction and build a long-term relationship? For that, it's awkward. If you subscribe monthly and use 1 hour daily, there's a utility problem. From the user.. no, from the paying customer's perspective, 1 hour minus check-in and check-out is really about 45 minutes. Add the commute time, and the tail wags the dog. It'd be more rational to go to Starbucks or scout out a quiet cafe near home. And a 33,000-won user would drop by after work or school.. but 1 hour — rather, 45-50 minutes — is awkward for getting anything done. So I recommend 33,000~45,000 won for 2 hours per day. Even then, few would actually use the full 2 hours. It's breakage revenue either way. A subjective individual, when faced with calculable pricing, can turn into a rational decision-maker — this deserves caution, in my personal opinion. For reference, an hourly pricing policy is very inappropriate in my view. Placing Jibmusil on the same line as a study cafe, cafe-style reading room, or shared office and competing on price-performance is too inefficient — that is, irrational. The 33,000-won user target is very relatable and attractive expected demand — but the service and pricing for them leave much to be desired. I hope they don't benchmark for this part. The reasons are the same as 3) and 4).
3) Maintaining unique positioning. Personally, Jibmusil isn't in the shared-office position. Personally, Rocketpunch isn't a recruitment/job-seeking site. It's a slight 'this vs. that' nuance kind of different. I think more concrete suggestions would be overreaching so I'll stop here, but given that it runs on such good infrastructure, talent, and networks, I hope it remains a great service going forward. In short, I believe it holds nearly the only position capable of delivering added value against similar competitors. Between premium and budget, it looks premium but is actually reasonable once you use it — that sort of a feel.
4) I hope the tightness among Jibmusil, the Jibmusil app, and Rocketpunch continues and gradually strengthens. If these were separate products (services), they frankly.. aren't that attractive. Each product or service has many substitutes. In that respect, this round's Job-Seeker Company promotion was very impressive. The first impressive factor was the feeling of running two products with a single promotion. Even if ROI isn't immediate, at least viral performance and future customer acquisition seem clear. The second impressive part was that the richness of mappable elements expanded beyond a job-search-limited user journey to the entire journey of a user-as-job-seeker.

If there are freelancers or job seekers who haven't yet registered for Job-Seeker Company, I strongly recommend trying it once. The closest branch is best, but if it's your first time, I recommend Jeongdong Main, then Nakseongdae, Seokchon, or Wangsimni, in that order.
https://www.jibmusil.com/membership