Figure out even more regarding women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea

South Korea's fast financial growth has indicated some stunning changes within its conservative social structure, consisting of the rise of so-called host bars, where rich women pay the matching of hundreds of dollars for male business.

In the dim light of a basement, a loads flawlessly groomed boys stoop in rows, calling out their names.

Muscle, with shiny boy-band hairdos, they stuff alongside right into the slim room, awaiting us to make our selection. Outside in the passage, even more of their coworkers are showing up for an additional night at the workplace. It is 2am, as well as we are their first clients.

Surprise beneath the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the men at Bar 123 belong to a growing sector, which expanded out of the long practices of Japanese geisha and Korea's kisaeng residences however with one essential difference - the clients below are all women.

Understood as "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption areas supply female consumers the possibility to choose and also pay for male buddies, often at a price of hundreds of extra pounds a night.

One of the women I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a first-class resort. She states she pertains to host bars one or two times a month.

The appeal of host bars can be subtle. Below, she says, she has even more focus from her male buddies, more option and, crucially, even more control.

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" In normal bars the individuals who consume with me have only one objective - to have an one-night stand. However I do not want that, to make sure that's why I come below, I wish to have a good time," she says.

Hosts are worked with by bars similar to this one to offer friendship and also enjoyment. Officially that implies putting drinks for their clients, dancing as well as speaking with them, and also singing karaoke.

Host bar in Seoul

Sex is not officially available in the majority of host bars. That would certainly be prohibited yet even Minkyoung seems satisfied to tease as well as touch with her host, as well as the guys here estimate that around half the consumers intend to pay for sex, either on or off the premises.

James has been operating at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean society, he states, there is a great deal of satisfaction and negotiating a price for sex is never done clearly. Rather, he tells me, it is all down to the host's own analysis.

" The people right here are pros - we understand what we're doing," he states.

" After speaking with a woman for an hour we essentially recognize just how much money she makes and also what she provides for a living. We've already evaluated her individuality and what she's ready to provide."

James and other hosts say their customers include some of South Korea's elite, which the money and perks available boggle the mind. One customer James fulfilled, during 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 paper as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you create down following to those numbers, I'll obtain you.'".

James says at the time he took it as a joke however given that learnt the same female invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on an additional host.

" If it took place currently, I would certainly do it - I would certainly be believing straight.".

Paradoxically maybe, host bars expanded out of one of Korea's most entrenched as well as, some say, misogynist company customs - the room beauty salon. These are exclusive drinking areas where teams of guys pick, and also are offered by, eye-catching women people hosting.

It was the hostesses' demand to allow off vapor after work, says professional host Kim Dong-hee, that developed the first demand for host bars, with all-male staff.

These girls are required to do points they do not desire to do for cash.

" I think a great deal of them are in discomfort, as well as a great deal feel lonely. Just put, they wish to acquire our time as well as our bodies.".

Hostesses still comprise a big percent of the clients at host bars below, however at Bar 123, for instance, up to 40% of the customers on a provided night are now from various other strolls of life.

The reasons for that growing allure are locked up in South Korea's fast financial rise. Within 50 years, the country shifted 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 in the process.

" I assume that with all this rapid growth comes quick change, and also Koreans just do not know just how to manage it. Increasingly, commercialism is overtaking basic societal norms that you would anticipate a couple of years earlier.".

Jasper Kim states South Korea's notoriously long functioning hrs have left several Korean females feeling lonely, while the country's technical breakthrough has left lots of people really feeling separated.

" The human component of Korean society that existed in the past simply does not exist today. People are concentrated on modern technology, individuals are concentrated on their work, they aren't focused on human relationships any longer.

" In lots of methods, Korean culture today kind of reminds me of 1960s culture in the United States, where it's on the brink of some sort of cultural change.".

The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that numerous of the females who come to host bars are not spending for sex yet for companionship, which is why he opened a new chain of freshly-marketed outlets targeted at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.

Red Model Bar hosts.

Picture subtitle,.

Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch customers.

" Men intend to have aesthetic pleasure and also intend to really feel points, they're tactile. Ladies like to speak as well as to listen. As well as that's why I believed of opening a bar similar to this - a kind of dialogue bar.".

Red Model Bars are various to typical host bars in one vital respect - there is a no-touching policy. Hosts sit on one side of the table, customers on the other, and no physical call is allowed, and certainly no sex.

Possibly consequently there is a lack of furtiveness amongst individuals that function or consume alcohol below - the lights are low, the design generally dark red and the area is divided right into discreet cubicles, yet it is an open-plan space and hosts and customers are separated in each booth by a big table.

This new organization version depends totally on females paying the matching of hundreds or perhaps countless bucks to speak to fine-looking boys over a beverage. Still, it appears to be functioning - 3 new branches result from open this year.

Resting at a table at one end of the bar was among their regular clients, a flower designer called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes below daily to fulfill her favourite host as well as go over problems she is having at job.

The rate for this slice of male attention is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.

" Talking to buddies would certainly be cheaper" she confesses, "however they don't pay attention as much. They're active, and quickly to chat about themselves. Here, people will certainly focus on me as well as they'll pay attention to me.".

" I spend a great deal of cash yet it's worth it of what I get psychologically. Individuals pay to go to see a psycho therapist or psychiatrist, so it's comparable yet much less difficult.".

Nayu's favourite host Sung-il claims it can be difficult to maintain his personal and also expert life separate.

" Honestly I would certainly be existing if I claim I haven't been tempted to take points better with some clients, because we're human, we're guys, yet there are rules.".

Among his customers yapped to her husband regarding him as well as when the three of them satisfied, Sung-il and also the other half came to be friends.

" No one hides - the workers do not hide that they function here, and also clients can be open also.".

This openness is posing a brand-new kind of obstacle to South Korean society, various from the occasionally sleazy underworld of traditional host bars and also their hinterland of male hooking.

By using ladies a "respectable" means to test standard gender functions as well as flex their financial power, these brand-new bars ask questions of Korean society that are ending up being more challenging to overlook.

Listen to the complete record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention through the Radio 4 web site or via the Crossing Continents podcast.

분당룸 The allure of host bars can be refined. Below, she claims, she has more interest from her male friends, more choice as well as, crucially, even more control.

James has been working at Bar 123 for a pair of years. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host's very own analysis.

As well as that's why I thought of opening up a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".