Figure out even more about women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's fast financial development has meant some stunning changes within its traditional social structure, including the rise of so-called host bars, where well-off ladies pay the matching of countless dollars for male firm.
In the dim light of a basement, a lots completely brushed young men kneel in rows, calling out their names.
Muscular, with glossy boy-band hairdos, they stuff side-by-side right into the slim room, awaiting us to make our option. Outside in the passage, more of their colleagues are showing up for another evening at job. It is 2am, as well as we are their first clients.
Covert under the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the males at Bar 123 belong to a growing market, which expanded out of the long practices of Japanese geisha and Korea's kisaeng homes but with one vital distinction - the consumers below are all ladies.
Called "host bars", these all-night drinking areas use women consumers the possibility to select and pay for male buddies, sometimes at an expense of thousands of pounds a night.
One of the ladies I satisfy at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing supervisor for a five-star hotel. She claims she pertains to host bars one or two times a month.
Minkyoung is really quite and also her clothes are spotless. She does not look like a person who would certainly require to spend for male business. Yet the appeal of host bars can be refined. Right here, she says, she has more interest from her male companions, more selection and, crucially, even more control.
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" In normal bars the men who drink with me have just one goal - to have an one-night stand. I do not desire that, so that's why I come right here, I want to have enjoyable," she states.
Hosts are hired by bars such as this one to supply companionship as well as home entertainment. Officially that indicates pouring beverages for their clients, dancing as well as chatting with them, as well as vocal singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not formally available in a lot of host bars. That would certainly be illegal however even Minkyoung seems happy to touch and tease with her host, and also the men here estimate that around half the customers intend to spend for sex, either on or off the facilities.
James has actually been operating at Bar 123 for a couple of years. In Korean society, he says, there is a great deal of pride and also negotiating a cost for sex is never done explicitly. Rather, he tells me, it is all to the host's own analysis.
" The guys here are pros - we understand what we're doing," he claims.
" After talking to a lady for a hr we generally understand just how much cash she makes and also what she provides for a living. We've currently evaluated her individuality and what she's prepared to give."
James and various other hosts state their customers consist of some of South Korea's elite, and also that the cash and rewards on offer are unbelievable. One client James met, throughout his very first week in the job, asked him to authorize himself over to her for 2 years.
" She claimed 'let's make a contract. I've got this notepad and I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you make a note of alongside those numbers, I'll get you.'".
James claims at the time he took it as a joke however considering that discovered out the same female spent ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.
" If it took place currently, I 'd do it - I would certainly be thinking straight.".
Paradoxically probably, host bars outgrew one of Korea's most entrenched and, some state, misogynist business traditions - the area beauty salon. These are private drinking areas where teams of guys choose, and also are served by, appealing female people hosting.
It was the hostesses' demand to let off vapor after work, states professional host Kim Dong-hee, that created the preliminary need for host bars, with all-male personnel.
" What these people hosting want is to [make us] do the exact same thing they needed to perform in their very own office. These girls are required to do things they don't want to provide for money.
" I assume a great deal of them are in pain, and also a whole lot feel lonely. Basically, they want to acquire our time and also our bodies.".
People hosting still comprise a large portion of the clients at host bars right here, but at Bar 123, as an example, as much as 40% of the customers on an offered evening are currently from various other profession.
The reasons for that growing appeal are locked up in South Korea's quick economic surge. Within 50 years, the nation shifted from post-war devastation to OECD member.
According to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something crucial was shed along the method.
" I think that with all this fast growth comes rapid adjustment, and also Koreans just don't recognize how to cope with it. Increasingly, capitalism is surpassing basic societal norms that you would anticipate a number of years earlier.".
Jasper Kim says South Korea's infamously lengthy working hours have left several Korean women feeling lonely, while the country's technological breakthrough has left many individuals really feeling detached.
" The human aspect of Korean society that existed in the past merely doesn't exist today. People are focused on technology, people are concentrated on their jobs, they aren't focused on human relationships any longer.
" In numerous methods, Korean society today sort of reminds me of 1960s society in the US, where it's on the verge of some sort of cultural transformation.".
The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that most of the ladies that involve host bars are not paying for sex however, for friendship, which is why he opened a new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets targeted at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Image caption,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men wish to have aesthetic pleasure as well as intend to feel points, they're responsive. Females like to speak and to pay attention. Which's why I thought about opening a bar similar to this - a kind of dialogue bar.".
Red Model Bars are different to typical host bars in one vital respect - there is a no-touching guideline. Hosts sit on one side of the table, customers on the other, and also no physical contact is permitted, and absolutely no sex.
Probably consequently there is a lack of furtiveness amongst individuals that function or drink below - the lights are low, the decor generally dark red and also the room is divided right into discreet cubicles, however it is an open-plan space and customers and also hosts are separated in each cubicle by a large table.
This brand-new service design depends completely on ladies paying the matching of hundreds or also hundreds of dollars to speak to good-looking boys over a drink. Still, it appears to be working - 3 brand-new branches are due to open this year.
Resting at a table at one end of bench was among their normal customers, a flower shop called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes below on a daily basis to fulfill her much-loved host and also go over concerns she is contending job.
The price for this slice of male attention is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to good friends would be less costly" she admits, "yet they don't pay attention as much. They're hectic, and also quickly to discuss themselves. Below, people will take note of me and they'll listen to me.".
" I spend a great deal of cash yet it's worth it wherefore I obtain emotionally. People pay to head to see a psycho therapist or psychiatrist, so it's similar but much less demanding.".
Nayu's preferred host Sung-il says it can be difficult to maintain his specialist and individual life separate.
" Honestly I 'd be lying if I state I have not been tempted to take points even more with some consumers, since we're human, we're men, but there are regulations.".
Among his consumers talked a whole lot to her other half concerning him and when the three of them met, Sung-il and also the hubby ended up being buddies.
" No one conceals - the employees don't conceal that they function right here, and also consumers can be open too.".
This openness is posturing a new type of challenge to South Korean culture, different from the occasionally shabby abyss of typical host bars and their hinterland of male hooking.
By offering ladies a "reputable" way to test typical gender functions and bend their economic power, these new bars ask questions of Korean culture that are ending up being harder to disregard.
Listen to the complete report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention through the Radio 4 internet site or through the Crossing Continents podcast.
The allure of host bars can be refined. Below, she states, she has more attention from her male companions, even more choice as well as, crucially, more control.
James has been functioning at Bar 123 for a couple of years. Rather, he tells me, it is all down to the host's own evaluation.
As well as that's why I assumed of opening a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".