Discover even more about women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's rapid economic advancement has implied some startling modifications within its traditional social framework, including the rise of so-called host bars, where affluent ladies pay the matching of countless dollars for male business.
In the dark light of an underground room, a loads perfectly groomed boys kneel in rows, calling out their names.
Muscular, with glossy boy-band hairdos, they pack side by side into the narrow room, awaiting us to make our option. Outdoors in the hallway, even more of their associates are arriving for one more evening at work. It is 2am, as well as we are their first clients.
Surprise under the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the guys at Bar 123 belong to a growing industry, which grew out of the lengthy traditions of Japanese geisha and Korea's kisaeng houses yet with one essential difference - the customers here are all women.
Referred to as "host bars", these all-night drinking spaces supply female consumers the opportunity to pick and pay for male friends, occasionally at a cost of thousands of pounds a night.
Among the ladies I satisfy at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a first-class resort. She claims she concerns host bars one or two times a month.
The appeal of host bars can be subtle. Right here, she states, she has more attention from her male buddies, more selection as well as, most importantly, even more control.
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" In regular bars the men that consume alcohol with me have just one objective - to have a casual sex. I don't want that, so that's why I come below, I want to have enjoyable," she says.
Hosts are hired by bars similar to this one to give companionship and amusement. Officially that implies pouring drinks for their consumers, dancing and speaking with them, and vocal singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not formally on deal in many host bars. That would be prohibited yet even Minkyoung seems pleased to flirt as well as touch with her host, and the males below approximate that around half the consumers intend to pay for sex, either on or off the premises.
James has actually been functioning at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean society, he claims, there is a great deal of satisfaction and negotiating a cost for sex is never ever done clearly. Instead, he informs me, it is all to the host's very own analysis.
" The individuals here are pros - we recognize what we're doing," he claims.
" After talking to a girl for an hour we essentially know just how much money she makes and what she provides for a living. We've currently evaluated her individuality as well as what she's prepared to provide."
James and other hosts claim their consumers consist of several of South Korea's elite, which the money as well as rewards available boggle the mind. One customer James met, throughout his very first week in the task, asked him to authorize himself over to her for 2 years.
" She said 'allow's make an agreement. I've got this paper as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you list alongside those numbers, I'll obtain you.'".
James claims at the time he took it as a joke but because learnt the very same woman invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.
" If it took place now, I would certainly do it - I 'd be thinking straight.".
Actually possibly, host bars grew out of one of Korea's most established as well as, some claim, misogynist company practices - the area hair salon. These are exclusive alcohol consumption rooms where teams of males pick, and also are served by, appealing women people hosting.
It was the people hosting' demand to allow off steam after work, says expert host Kim Dong-hee, that developed the initial demand for host bars, with all-male staff.
These women are compelled to do things they don't want to do for cash.
" I think a great deal of them are in pain, and also a lot really feel lonesome. Put simply, they intend to buy our time as well as our bodies.".
People hosting still compose a large portion of the customers at host bars below, but at Bar 123, as an example, up to 40% of the clients on a provided night are now from various other strolls of life.
The factors for that growing charm are bound in South Korea's quick financial increase. Within 50 years, the country changed from post-war devastation to OECD participant.
Yet, according to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something crucial was shed along the road.
" I think that with all this rapid growth comes quick adjustment, and Koreans just do not understand just how to deal with it. Increasingly, capitalism is overtaking standard social standards that you would certainly anticipate a number of years ago.".
Jasper Kim states South Korea's infamously lengthy working hrs have actually left many Korean women feeling lonesome, while the nation's technological advancement has actually left many individuals really feeling separated.
" The human element of Korean culture that existed previously just doesn't exist today. People are concentrated on technology, individuals are concentrated on their tasks, they aren't concentrated on human relationships any longer.
" In many methods, Korean society today type of reminds me of 1960s culture in the US, where it's on the verge of some type of cultural change.".
The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that several of the ladies that come to host bars are not spending for sex but also for companionship, which is why he opened up a brand-new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets intended at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Picture caption,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men intend to have visual satisfaction and also intend to really feel things, they're tactile. Women like to talk and to listen. Which's why I thought about opening up a bar like this - a type of dialogue bar.".
Red Model Bars are various to standard host bars in one key regard - there is a no-touching guideline. Hosts rest on one side of the table, consumers on the various other, and no physical call is enabled, and also definitely no sex.
Perhaps because of this there is a lack of furtiveness among the people that work or consume below - the lights are reduced, the decor mostly dark red and also the space is separated into very discreet booths, but it is an open-plan space and also hosts and consumers are divided in each booth by a big table.
This new organization version depends completely on ladies paying the equivalent of hundreds or also thousands of bucks to talk with good-looking boys over a beverage. Still, it seems to be working - three new branches result from open this year.
Sitting at a table at one end of the bar was just one of their normal customers, a florist called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes here daily to fulfill her favorite host as well as discuss issues she is contending work.
The rate for this slice of male interest is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to buddies would certainly be less expensive" she admits, "however they don't pay attention as much. They're active, and also quickly to speak about themselves. Below, individuals will focus on me and also they'll listen to me.".
" I invest a whole lot of money yet it's worth it wherefore I get emotionally. Individuals pay to go to see a psychologist or psychoanalyst, so it's comparable but less stressful.".
Nayu's much-loved host Sung-il says it can be difficult to keep his specialist and also individual life different.
" Honestly I would certainly be lying if I state I have not been lured to take points additionally with some customers, since we're human, we're men, but there are policies.".
Among his customers yapped to her hubby about him and when the 3 of them met, Sung-il as well as the spouse ended up being close buddies.
" No one conceals - the workers do not hide that they function right here, and also consumers can be open too.".
This visibility is positioning a new type of obstacle to South Korean society, various from the in some cases shabby abyss of typical host bars and their hinterland of male prostitution.
By supplying females a "respectable" method to test conventional sex duties and also bend their economic power, these new bars ask inquiries of Korean culture that are coming to be more difficult to neglect.
Listen to the complete record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can listen through the Radio 4 site or using the Crossing Continents podcast.
The attraction of host bars can be refined. Here, she states, she has more interest from her male buddies, more option as well as, crucially, more control.
James has actually been functioning at Bar 123 for a couple of years. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host's own assessment.
And also that's why I assumed of opening up a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".