Figure out more concerning women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's quick economic development has actually suggested some stunning changes within its traditional social structure, including the rise of so-called host bars, where wealthy women pay the equivalent of countless bucks for male business.
In the dim light of a basement, a dozen perfectly brushed young males stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscle, with shiny boy-band hairstyles, they stuff alongside into the slim space, waiting on us to make our option. Outside in the passage, even more of their colleagues are showing up for an additional evening at job. It is 2am, and also we are their very first consumers.
Hidden underneath the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the guys at Bar 123 become part of a growing industry, which outgrew the long traditions of Japanese geisha and Korea's kisaeng homes however with one crucial difference - the clients below are all ladies.
Called "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption spaces offer female clients the opportunity to pay and also pick for male friends, sometimes at an expense of countless pounds an evening.
One of the females I fulfill at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a five-star hotel. Once or twice a month, she says she comes to host bars.
The appeal of host bars can be subtle. Here, she claims, she has even more focus from her male buddies, even more choice and, most importantly, more control.
PROMOTION
" In routine bars the individuals that drink with me have just one objective - to have an one-night stand. I do not want that, so that's why I come here, I desire to have fun," she says.
Hosts are hired by bars like this one to supply friendship and also amusement. Formally that suggests pouring beverages for their customers, chatting and dancing with them, and singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not formally available in a lot of host bars. That would be illegal but even Minkyoung seems satisfied to touch as well as tease with her host, as well as the males here estimate that around half the clients 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 whole lot of pride as well as working out a rate for sex is never done explicitly. Instead, he tells me, it is all to the host's own assessment.
" The people below are pros - we recognize what we're doing," he claims.
" After talking with a lady for an hour we basically recognize how much money she makes and what she provides for a living. We've currently evaluated her individuality and also what she agrees to offer."
James as well as various other hosts state their customers consist of a few of South Korea's elite, which the cash as well as perks available are unbelievable. One customer James satisfied, during his first week in the job, asked him to authorize himself over to her for two years.
" She claimed 'let's make a contract. I've obtained this item of paper as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you make a note of next to those numbers, I'll obtain you.'".
James says at the time he took it as a joke but considering that discovered the very same lady 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 established as well as, some claim, misogynist business traditions - the room beauty salon. These are personal drinking rooms where teams of guys choose, and also are served by, attractive women hostesses.
It was the hostesses' demand to let off vapor after job, says professional host Kim Dong-hee, that developed the preliminary need for host bars, with all-male personnel.
" What these hostesses want is to [make us] do the exact same point they had to carry out in their very own workplace. These women are forced to do things they don't wish to do for cash.
" I believe a great deal of them are in discomfort, and a lot feel lonesome. Merely placed, they intend to purchase our time and also our bodies.".
Hostesses still make up a big portion of the customers at host bars below, however at Bar 123, as an example, approximately 40% of the clients on a given night are now from various other profession.
The factors for that expanding allure are locked up in South Korea's quick economic rise. Within 50 years, the country moved from post-war devastation to OECD participant.
However, according to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something crucial was shed in the process.
" I think that with all this quick growth comes rapid modification, as well as Koreans just do not understand how to deal with it. Significantly, commercialism is overtaking basic social norms that you would certainly anticipate a number of years earlier.".
Jasper Kim states South Korea's notoriously lengthy functioning hrs have left several Korean women feeling lonely, while the country's technological development has left many individuals feeling removed.
" The human element of Korean society that existed before merely does not exist today. People are focused on modern technology, individuals are concentrated on their jobs, they aren't concentrated on human relationships any longer.
" In many means, Korean society today kind of advises me of 1960s culture in the US, where it's on the verge of some sort of social revolution.".
The grandfather of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that a lot of the ladies that concern host bars are not paying for sex but for companionship, which is why he opened a new chain of freshly-marketed outlets intended at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Image caption,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch customers.
" Men wish to have aesthetic pleasure and intend to feel things, they're responsive. Ladies like to speak and to pay attention. And also that's why I thought about opening a bar similar to this - a sort of discussion bar.".
Red Model Bars are various to conventional host bars in one vital respect - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts remain on one side of the table, clients on the various other, and no physical call is enabled, and also certainly no sex.
Perhaps therefore there is a lack of furtiveness amongst individuals that work or drink below - the lights are low, the decor mainly dark red as well as the area is divided into discreet booths, however it is an open-plan area and also clients and also hosts are split in each cubicle by a large table.
This new organization model depends totally on females paying the equivalent of hundreds or also countless dollars to speak with attractive young men over a drink. Still, it seems to be functioning - 3 brand-new branches are because of open this year.
Resting at a table at one end of the bar was just one of their normal consumers, a florist called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes below daily to satisfy her much-loved host and go over issues she is contending work.
The rate for this slice of male focus is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to pals would certainly be cheaper" she admits, "but they don't pay attention as much. They're hectic, and also quickly to talk concerning themselves. Right here, people will certainly pay attention to me and also they'll pay attention to me.".
" I spend a whole lot of cash however it's worth it for what I get mentally. People pay to visit see a psychologist or psychoanalyst, so it's comparable however much less difficult.".
Nayu's favorite host Sung-il claims it can be difficult to maintain his specialist as well as personal life different.
" Honestly I 'd be existing if I state I have not been tempted to take points further with some consumers, due to the fact that we're human, we're guys, but there are rules.".
Among his consumers spoke a whole lot to her other half regarding him and when the three of them satisfied, Sung-il and the partner came to be buddies.
" No one conceals - the workers don't conceal that they work right here, as well as clients can be open also.".
This visibility is posing a brand-new sort of obstacle to South Korean culture, different from the in some cases seedy underworld of conventional host bars and their hinterland of male hooking.
By offering females a "respectable" means to challenge typical gender functions and also bend their economic power, these new bars ask inquiries of Korean society that are ending up being more difficult to disregard.
Listen to the full record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention via the Radio 4 website or through the Crossing Continents podcast.
The attraction of host bars can be subtle. Here, she says, she has even more focus from her male companions, more selection 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 thought of opening up a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".