Learn more about women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's rapid financial growth has indicated some surprising modifications within its conservative social structure, consisting of the increase of supposed host bars, where affluent women pay the matching of thousands of dollars for male firm.
In the dark light of a basement, a dozen completely groomed boys stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscle, with glossy boy-band hairdos, they stuff side-by-side right into the slim area, awaiting us to make our choice. Outside in the corridor, more of their colleagues are arriving for an additional evening at the office. It is 2am, and we are their very first consumers.
Surprise under the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the males at Bar 123 become part of a growing industry, which grew out of the long practices of Japanese geisha and also Korea's kisaeng houses however with one crucial distinction - the consumers right here are all females.
Called "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption rooms supply women customers the chance to pay and also select for male companions, sometimes at a cost of countless extra pounds an evening.
One of the women I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a first-class hotel. When or twice a month, she claims she comes to host bars.
The appeal of host bars can be refined. Below, she states, she has even more interest from her male companions, even more selection as well as, crucially, more control.
PROMOTION
" In regular bars the guys that consume alcohol with me have just one goal - to have a casual sex. I do not want that, so that's why I come here, I desire to have fun," she claims.
Hosts are employed by bars like this one to supply companionship as well as enjoyment. Formally that indicates putting drinks for their customers, chatting and also dancing with them, and also singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially on offer in many host bars. That would be prohibited yet even Minkyoung seems satisfied to flirt and also touch with her host, and also the males right here estimate that around half the consumers intend to pay for sex, either on or off the facilities.
James has been working at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean culture, he says, there is a great deal of pride and bargaining a rate for sex is never ever done explicitly. Rather, he informs me, it is all down to the host's own analysis.
" The people below are pros - we recognize what we're doing," he says.
" After speaking to a lady for a hr we generally know how much money she makes and what she provides for a living. We've currently evaluated her individuality and what she's willing to provide."
James as well as various other hosts state their customers include several of South Korea's elite, and that the cash and also benefits on deal are astonishing. One client James satisfied, throughout his very first week in the job, asked him to authorize himself over to her for 2 years.
" She stated 'allow's make a contract. I've got this paper as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you write down next to those numbers, I'll obtain you.'".
James claims at the time he took it as a joke yet given that figured out the very same female invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.
" If it took place currently, I 'd do it - I 'd be believing straight.".
Ironically maybe, host bars grew out of among Korea's most entrenched as well as, some claim, misogynist company customs - the area salon. These are personal alcohol consumption areas where teams of guys choose, and are served by, attractive female hostesses.
It was the people hosting' need to allow off steam after job, states veteran host Kim Dong-hee, that developed the initial demand for host bars, with all-male staff.
" What these people hosting desire is to [make us] do the same point they needed to do in their very own workplace. These girls are compelled to do things they do not intend to provide for cash.
" I think a lot of them are in pain, and a whole lot really feel lonesome. Merely placed, they wish to acquire our time and our bodies.".
People hosting still comprise a huge portion of the consumers at host bars right here, yet at Bar 123, for example, up to 40% of the customers on an offered night are now from other walks of life.
The factors for that growing charm are locked up in South Korea's fast financial rise. Within 50 years, the country changed from post-war devastation to OECD member.
Yet, according to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something essential was lost along the method.
" I assume that with all this fast growth comes fast modification, as well as Koreans just don't know exactly how to handle it. Significantly, industrialism is overtaking basic societal norms that you would anticipate a pair of years ago.".
Jasper Kim says South Korea's infamously long functioning hrs have actually left lots of Korean ladies really feeling lonesome, while the country's technological advance has left many people really feeling removed.
" The human aspect of Korean culture that existed in the past just doesn't exist today. People are focused on technology, people are concentrated on their jobs, they aren't concentrated on human relations any longer.
" In numerous ways, Korean culture today type of advises me of 1960s society in the US, where it's on the edge of some sort of cultural change.".
The grandfather of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that many of the females who come to host bars are not paying for sex however 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.
Photo subtitle,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men wish to have visual enjoyment as well as intend to feel things, they're responsive. Ladies like to talk as well as to listen. And that's why I assumed of opening a bar such as this - a sort of discussion bar.".
Red Model Bars are various to typical host bars in one essential respect - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts rest on one side of the table, customers on the various other, and no physical get in touch with is permitted, as well as absolutely no sex.
Probably therefore there is a lack of furtiveness among the individuals that function or consume here - the lights are reduced, the design mostly dark red and the room is separated right into very discreet booths, yet it is an open-plan space and also clients and also hosts are split in each booth by a big table.
This brand-new service model depends entirely on females paying the equivalent of hundreds or perhaps thousands of bucks to speak to attractive boys over a beverage. Still, it appears to be working - 3 new branches are because of open this year.
Sitting at a table at one end of the bar was one of their regular consumers, a florist called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes right here daily to meet her favourite host as well as review issues she is having at job.
The price for this piece of male focus is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to friends would certainly be cheaper" she admits, "yet they do not listen as much. They're busy, and also in a rush to discuss themselves. Right here, people will certainly focus on me as well as they'll pay attention to me.".
" I invest a great deal of money yet it's worth it wherefore I get emotionally. Individuals pay to go to see a psycho therapist or psychiatrist, so it's similar but less stressful.".
Nayu's favorite host Sung-il claims it can be difficult to maintain his specialist and personal life separate.
" Honestly I 'd be lying if I say I have not been attracted to take things additionally with some clients, due to the fact that we're human, we're men, but there are rules.".
Among his clients yapped to her hubby regarding him and also when the 3 of them met, Sung-il and the partner became close good friends.
" No one conceals - the workers do not hide that they function right here, and customers can be open as well.".
This openness is posturing a new type of obstacle to South Korean society, different from the occasionally shabby abyss of standard host bars and their hinterland of male prostitution.
By using females a "respectable" means to challenge traditional sex duties as well as bend their economic power, these brand-new bars ask inquiries of Korean society that are ending up being harder to neglect.
Listen to the full record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention through the Radio 4 web site or through the Crossing Continents podcast.
The attraction of host bars can be subtle. Below, she says, she has even more interest from her male buddies, more option and also, crucially, even more control.
James has been functioning at Bar 123 for a pair of years. Rather, he informs me, it is all down to the host's very own analysis.
And also that's why I thought of opening a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".