What are board game cafes in Korea, how do they work, and how can foreigners enjoy them?

Board game cafes (보드게임 카페) are everywhere, especially near university areas and Hongdae, and they're very foreigner-friendly. You pay a per-person time fee, usually around 5,000 to 10,000 won for a few hours, often including a drink, and you can play any of the hundreds of games on the shelves. Staff help you pick and explain rules, and many cafes have English-language games or English rule sheets. Just walk in, ask for a table, and tell staff how many people and what kind of game you like.