Learn even more concerning women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's fast economic advancement has actually suggested some stunning adjustments within its conventional social framework, including the surge of supposed host bars, where affluent ladies pay the equivalent of hundreds of dollars for male company.
In the dark light of a basement, a dozen perfectly brushed boys stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscle, with shiny boy-band hairdos, they pack alongside into the narrow room, waiting for us to make our choice. Outdoors in the corridor, more of their colleagues are getting here for another night at work. It is 2am, and also we are their first clients.
Surprise beneath the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the guys at Bar 123 are part of an expanding industry, which expanded out of the lengthy customs of Japanese geisha and also Korea's kisaeng houses but with one vital distinction - the customers here are all ladies.
Called "host bars", these all-night drinking areas provide female clients the opportunity to pay and select for male companions, often at a price of hundreds of extra pounds an evening.
Among the women I satisfy at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing supervisor for a luxury resort. She states she concerns host bars one or two times a month.
Minkyoung is very rather and also her clothes are immaculate. She does not look like somebody that would certainly need to spend for male firm. But the attraction of host bars can be subtle. Here, she states, she has more interest from her male buddies, even more choice and also, most importantly, even more control.
PROMOTION
" In regular bars the guys that consume alcohol with me have just one objective - to have an one-night stand. I don't desire that, so that's why I come right here, I desire to have enjoyable," she states.
Hosts are hired by bars such as this one to give friendship as well as home entertainment. Officially that means putting drinks for their customers, dancing and chatting with them, as well as vocal singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially available in the majority of host bars. That would certainly be prohibited however even Minkyoung appears happy to touch and also flirt with her host, as well as the men right here estimate that around half the customers wish to spend for sex, either on or off the properties.
James has been operating at Bar 123 for a pair of years. In Korean society, he states, there is a great deal of pride and also bargaining a cost for sex is never ever done clearly. Rather, he tells me, it is all down to the host's very own analysis.
" The people below are pros - we understand what we're doing," he claims.
" After speaking to a lady for an hour we primarily know just how much cash she makes and also what she provides for a living. We've currently analysed her personality and what she's ready to offer."
James and also various other hosts say their consumers include some of South Korea's elite, and also that the cash and also advantages on deal are extraordinary. One client James fulfilled, throughout his 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 notepad and I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you jot down next to those numbers, I'll get you.'".
James states at the time he took it as a joke however since discovered out the same lady invested 60,000 ($ 97,000) on an additional host .
" If it happened currently, I 'd do it - I 'd be assuming straight.".
Ironically probably, host bars outgrew one of Korea's most entrenched and, some state, misogynist organization traditions - the space beauty parlor. These are personal drinking rooms where groups of guys choose, and also are offered by, eye-catching female hostesses.
It was the people hosting' requirement to let off vapor after work, says expert host Kim Dong-hee, that created the initial need for host bars, with all-male staff.
" What these people hosting want is to [make us] do the exact same thing they had to do in their very own work environment. These ladies are forced to do things they don't intend to do for cash.
" I believe a whole lot of them are in pain, as well as a lot really feel lonesome. Put simply, they wish to get our time and also our bodies.".
Hostesses still compose a huge percent of the clients at host bars below, but at Bar 123, for instance, as much as 40% of the customers on an offered evening are currently from various other profession.
The factors for that expanding charm are connected up in South Korea's fast economic rise. Within 50 years, the country changed from post-war destruction to OECD member.
According to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something vital was lost along the means.
" I think that with all this rapid development comes quick adjustment, and Koreans just do not understand just how to handle it. Progressively, industrialism is surpassing fundamental social standards that you would expect a pair of decades ago.".
Jasper Kim states South Korea's infamously long functioning hours have actually left numerous Korean ladies feeling lonesome, while the country's technical advancement has actually left many individuals really feeling removed.
" The human component of Korean culture that existed before merely does not exist today. People are concentrated on modern technology, people are concentrated on their work, they aren't focused on human relations anymore.
" In many means, Korean culture today kind of advises me of 1960s society in the US, where it's on the brink of some kind of cultural revolution.".
The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that much of the ladies who concern host bars are not spending for sex however, for friendship, which is why he opened up a new chain of freshly-marketed outlets intended at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Picture inscription,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch customers.
" Men desire to have visual pleasure and also wish to feel points, they're tactile. Females like to talk as well as to listen. As well as that's why I assumed of opening up a bar similar to this - a kind of dialogue bar.".
Red Model Bars are different to conventional host bars in one key regard - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts rest on one side of the table, consumers on the various other, and no physical get in touch with is permitted, and also absolutely no sex.
Maybe consequently there is an absence of furtiveness amongst individuals that work or consume below - the lights are low, the decor primarily dark red and the room is split right into very discreet cubicles, yet it is an open-plan room as well as hosts as well as consumers are separated in each booth by a big table.
This new service version depends totally on ladies paying the matching of hundreds or even hundreds of bucks to speak with fine-looking boys over a beverage. Still, it seems to be working - three new branches result from open this year.
Resting at a table at one end of bench was just one of their regular consumers, a flower designer called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes right here daily to fulfill her favorite host as well as go over issues she is having at work.
The cost for this slice of male attention is $487-650 ( 300-400) a day.
" Talking to good friends would be less costly" she confesses, "but they don't listen as much. They're hectic, as well as in a rush to speak regarding themselves. Right here, individuals will certainly take notice of me and they'll pay attention to me.".
" I invest a great deal of cash but it deserves it wherefore I obtain mentally. People pay to visit see a psycho therapist or psychiatrist, so it's similar however much less difficult.".
Nayu's preferred host Sung-il claims it can be hard to keep his individual as well as expert life separate.
" Honestly Iwould certainly be lying if I state I haven't been attracted to take points better with some clients, since we're human, we're males, but there are policies.".
Among his consumers yapped to her partner about him and also when the three of them met, Sung-il and also the hubby became close pals.
" No one hides - the employees do not conceal that they work below, as well as clients can be open also.".
This openness is posturing a brand-new sort of obstacle to South Korean culture, various from the often shabby underworld of traditional host bars as well as their hinterland of male prostitution.
By using females a "reputable" method to challenge standard gender duties and flex their financial power, these brand-new bars ask questions of Korean society that are coming to be more challenging to ignore.
Listen to the full record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention using the Radio 4 website or via the Crossing Continents podcast.
The attraction of host bars can be subtle. Below, she states, she has more attention from her male friends, more option and also, most importantly, even more control.
James has actually been functioning at Bar 123 for a couple of years. Instead, he informs me, it is all down to the host's very own evaluation.
As well as that's why I assumed of opening up a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".
In the dark light of a basement, a dozen perfectly brushed boys stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscle, with shiny boy-band hairdos, they pack alongside into the narrow room, waiting for us to make our choice. Outdoors in the corridor, more of their colleagues are getting here for another night at work. It is 2am, and also we are their first clients.
Surprise beneath the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the guys at Bar 123 are part of an expanding industry, which expanded out of the lengthy customs of Japanese geisha and also Korea's kisaeng houses but with one vital distinction - the customers here are all ladies.
Called "host bars", these all-night drinking areas provide female clients the opportunity to pay and select for male companions, often at a price of hundreds of extra pounds an evening.
Among the women I satisfy at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing supervisor for a luxury resort. She states she concerns host bars one or two times a month.
Minkyoung is very rather and also her clothes are immaculate. She does not look like somebody that would certainly need to spend for male firm. But the attraction of host bars can be subtle. Here, she states, she has more interest from her male buddies, even more choice and also, most importantly, even more control.
PROMOTION
" In regular bars the guys that consume alcohol with me have just one objective - to have an one-night stand. I don't desire that, so that's why I come right here, I desire to have enjoyable," she states.
Hosts are hired by bars such as this one to give friendship as well as home entertainment. Officially that means putting drinks for their customers, dancing and chatting with them, as well as vocal singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially available in the majority of host bars. That would certainly be prohibited however even Minkyoung appears happy to touch and also flirt with her host, as well as the men right here estimate that around half the customers wish to spend for sex, either on or off the properties.
James has been operating at Bar 123 for a pair of years. In Korean society, he states, there is a great deal of pride and also bargaining a cost for sex is never ever done clearly. Rather, he tells me, it is all down to the host's very own analysis.
" The people below are pros - we understand what we're doing," he claims.
" After speaking to a lady for an hour we primarily know just how much cash she makes and also what she provides for a living. We've currently analysed her personality and what she's ready to offer."
James and also various other hosts say their consumers include some of South Korea's elite, and also that the cash and also advantages on deal are extraordinary. One client James fulfilled, throughout his 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 notepad and I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you jot down next to those numbers, I'll get you.'".
James states at the time he took it as a joke however since discovered out the same lady invested 60,000 ($ 97,000) on an additional host .
" If it happened currently, I 'd do it - I 'd be assuming straight.".
Ironically probably, host bars outgrew one of Korea's most entrenched and, some state, misogynist organization traditions - the space beauty parlor. These are personal drinking rooms where groups of guys choose, and also are offered by, eye-catching female hostesses.
It was the people hosting' requirement to let off vapor after work, says expert host Kim Dong-hee, that created the initial need for host bars, with all-male staff.
" What these people hosting want is to [make us] do the exact same thing they had to do in their very own work environment. These ladies are forced to do things they don't intend to do for cash.
" I believe a whole lot of them are in pain, as well as a lot really feel lonesome. Put simply, they wish to get our time and also our bodies.".
Hostesses still compose a huge percent of the clients at host bars below, but at Bar 123, for instance, as much as 40% of the customers on an offered evening are currently from various other profession.
The factors for that expanding charm are connected up in South Korea's fast economic rise. Within 50 years, the country changed from post-war destruction to OECD member.
According to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something vital was lost along the means.
" I think that with all this rapid development comes quick adjustment, and Koreans just do not understand just how to handle it. Progressively, industrialism is surpassing fundamental social standards that you would expect a pair of decades ago.".
Jasper Kim states South Korea's infamously long functioning hours have actually left numerous Korean ladies feeling lonesome, while the country's technical advancement has actually left many individuals really feeling removed.
" The human component of Korean culture that existed before merely does not exist today. People are concentrated on modern technology, people are concentrated on their work, they aren't focused on human relations anymore.
" In many means, Korean culture today kind of advises me of 1960s society in the US, where it's on the brink of some kind of cultural revolution.".
The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that much of the ladies who concern host bars are not spending for sex however, for friendship, which is why he opened up a new chain of freshly-marketed outlets intended at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Picture inscription,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch customers.
" Men desire to have visual pleasure and also wish to feel points, they're tactile. Females like to talk as well as to listen. As well as that's why I assumed of opening up a bar similar to this - a kind of dialogue bar.".
Red Model Bars are different to conventional host bars in one key regard - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts rest on one side of the table, consumers on the various other, and no physical get in touch with is permitted, and also absolutely no sex.
Maybe consequently there is an absence of furtiveness amongst individuals that work or consume below - the lights are low, the decor primarily dark red and the room is split right into very discreet cubicles, yet it is an open-plan room as well as hosts as well as consumers are separated in each booth by a big table.
This new service version depends totally on ladies paying the matching of hundreds or even hundreds of bucks to speak with fine-looking boys over a beverage. Still, it seems to be working - three new branches result from open this year.
Resting at a table at one end of bench was just one of their regular consumers, a flower designer called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes right here daily to fulfill her favorite host as well as go over issues she is having at work.
The cost for this slice of male attention is $487-650 ( 300-400) a day.
" Talking to good friends would be less costly" she confesses, "but they don't listen as much. They're hectic, as well as in a rush to speak regarding themselves. Right here, individuals will certainly take notice of me and they'll pay attention to me.".
" I invest a great deal of cash but it deserves it wherefore I obtain mentally. People pay to visit see a psycho therapist or psychiatrist, so it's similar however much less difficult.".
Nayu's preferred host Sung-il claims it can be hard to keep his individual as well as expert life separate.
" Honestly Iwould certainly be lying if I state I haven't been attracted to take points better with some clients, since we're human, we're males, but there are policies.".
Among his consumers yapped to her partner about him and also when the three of them met, Sung-il and also the hubby became close pals.
" No one hides - the employees do not conceal that they work below, as well as clients can be open also.".
This openness is posturing a brand-new sort of obstacle to South Korean culture, various from the often shabby underworld of traditional host bars as well as their hinterland of male prostitution.
By using females a "reputable" method to challenge standard gender duties and flex their financial power, these brand-new bars ask questions of Korean society that are coming to be more challenging to ignore.
Listen to the full record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention using the Radio 4 website or via the Crossing Continents podcast.
The attraction of host bars can be subtle. Below, she states, she has more attention from her male friends, more option and also, most importantly, even more control.
James has actually been functioning at Bar 123 for a couple of years. Instead, he informs me, it is all down to the host's very own evaluation.
As well as that's why I assumed of opening up a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".
