Learn even more about women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea

South Korea's quick economic development has actually meant some shocking adjustments within its traditional social structure, including the rise of supposed host bars, where well-off ladies pay the matching of hundreds of dollars for male business.

In the dim light of a below ground space, a loads perfectly groomed boys stoop in rows, calling out their names.

Muscular, with shiny boy-band hairstyles, they cram alongside right into the narrow room, waiting for us to make our option. Outside in the passage, even more of their coworkers are getting here for one more evening at the workplace. It is 2am, as well as we are their initial consumers.

Hidden under the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the men at Bar 123 become part of a growing industry, which outgrew the lengthy traditions of Japanese geisha as well as Korea's kisaeng houses however with one critical distinction - the consumers right here are all women.

Called "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption rooms supply women clients the chance to pick as well as pay for male companions, in some cases at an expense of thousands of pounds a night.

Among the females I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing supervisor for a five-star hotel. She states she concerns host bars one or two times a month.

분당룸 The allure of host bars can be subtle. Below, she claims, she has more focus from her male buddies, even more option and also, crucially, more control.

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" In routine bars the people that consume with me have only one objective - to have an one-night stand. However I do not want that, to ensure that's why I come below, I wish to enjoy," she states.

Hosts are employed by bars similar to this one to give companionship and also entertainment. Officially that means putting beverages for their clients, dancing and chatting with them, as well as vocal singing karaoke.

Host bar in Seoul

Sex is not officially available in many host bars. That would be prohibited but also Minkyoung appears satisfied to tease and touch with her host, and also the guys below estimate that around half the clients wish to spend for sex, either on or off the facilities.

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

" The men below are pros - we understand what we're doing," he states.

" After talking with a girl for a hr we basically know just how much cash she makes and what she provides for a living. We've currently evaluated her character and also what she agrees to provide."

James and also other hosts say their customers consist of some of South Korea's elite, which the cash as well as perks available boggle the mind. One customer James fulfilled, throughout his initial week in the work, asked him to authorize himself over to her for two years.

" She claimed 'allow's make an agreement. I've obtained this notepad as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you document next to those numbers, I'll obtain you.'".

James states at the time he took it as a joke however considering that figured out the same lady invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.

" If it took place currently, I would certainly do it - I 'd be thinking straight.".

Ironically maybe, host bars outgrew among Korea's most established and also, some claim, misogynist service customs - the area beauty parlor. These are exclusive drinking rooms where groups of males choose, as well as are served by, attractive women people hosting.

It was the people hosting' need to allow off steam after work, claims professional host Kim Dong-hee, that created the preliminary need for host bars, with all-male team.

" What these people hosting desire is to [make us] do the same thing they had to do in their very own workplace. These ladies are compelled to do points they do not want to do for cash.

" I believe a great deal of them are in discomfort, as well as a whole lot really feel lonely. Put simply, they want to buy our time as well as our bodies.".

Hostesses still make up a big portion of the clients at host bars below, yet at Bar 123, for example, as much as 40% of the consumers on a given evening are currently from various other profession.

The reasons for that growing charm are bound in South Korea's fast financial increase. Within 50 years, the country moved from post-war destruction to OECD member.

According to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something crucial was lost along the method.

" I think that with all this quick growth comes quick modification, and Koreans just don't know just how to handle it. Progressively, commercialism is overtaking basic societal standards that you would expect a pair of years ago.".

Jasper Kim says South Korea's infamously lengthy functioning hours have left numerous Korean ladies really feeling lonesome, while the nation's technical advance has left many individuals feeling detached.

" The human component of Korean culture that existed previously merely does not exist today. People are focused on technology, individuals are concentrated on their work, they aren't concentrated on human relations anymore.

" In several means, Korean culture today sort of reminds me of 1960s culture in the US, where it's on the brink of some type of social change.".

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

Red Model Bar hosts.

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Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.

" Men intend to have visual pleasure and desire to really feel things, they're responsive. Females like to talk as well as to pay attention. Which's why I considered opening up a bar such as this - a type of dialogue bar.".

Red Model Bars are various to traditional host bars in one vital respect - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts rest on one side of the table, customers on the other, and also no physical call is allowed, and absolutely no sex.

Maybe consequently there is an absence of furtiveness amongst the people who function or drink here - the lights are low, the style generally dark red as well as the space is divided right into discreet cubicles, however it is an open-plan space as well as customers as well as hosts are separated in each cubicle by a big table.

This new business design depends totally on females paying the matching of hundreds and even thousands of bucks to speak to fine-looking young men over a beverage. Still, it appears to be functioning - three new branches are because of open this year.

Resting at a table at one end of bench was one of their regular customers, a florist called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes below on a daily basis to fulfill her preferred host and go over issues she is having at work.

The cost for this piece of male interest is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.

" Talking to close friends would certainly be less expensive" she confesses, "however they don't listen as much. They're active, and also in a hurry to discuss themselves. Here, individuals will certainly take note of me as well as they'll listen to me.".

" I spend a lot of cash however it deserves it wherefore I obtain emotionally. Individuals pay to visit see a psycho therapist or psychoanalyst, so it's similar but less demanding.".

Nayu's favorite host Sung-il claims it can be difficult to maintain his specialist and individual life separate.

" Honestly I 'd be existing if I say I haven't been tempted to take things better with some clients, since we're human, we're guys, yet there are guidelines.".

One of his consumers chatted a great deal to her partner about him as well as when the three of them met, Sung-il as well as the hubby came to be buddies.

" No one conceals - the workers don't conceal that they work here, as well as customers can be open also.".

This openness is posturing a new sort of challenge to South Korean culture, different from the sometimes seedy abyss of conventional host bars as well as their hinterland of male hooking.

By supplying females a "commendable" means to test standard sex duties as well as flex their economic power, these brand-new bars ask questions of Korean society that are ending up being tougher to disregard.

Listen to the complete report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention using the Radio 4 web site or by means of the Crossing Continents podcast.

The appeal of host bars can be refined. Here, she claims, she has even more interest from her male buddies, more option and, most importantly, even more control.

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

And also that's why I believed of opening up a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".