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

South Korea's rapid economic development has implied some shocking adjustments within its conservative social framework, including the surge of so-called host bars, where well-off females pay the matching of hundreds of bucks for male company.
In the dim light of a basement, a dozen perfectly groomed boys stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscular, with shiny boy-band hairdos, they cram side-by-side into the slim area, awaiting us to make our option. Outdoors in the hallway, even more of their coworkers are arriving for one more night at job. It is 2am, and we are their first customers.
Surprise below the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the males at Bar 123 are component of a growing industry, which outgrew the long customs of Japanese geisha and also Korea's kisaeng homes yet with one important difference - the clients right here are all women.
Called "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption rooms provide women consumers the chance to pay and choose for male buddies, in some cases at a cost of thousands of extra pounds a night.
One of the ladies I fulfill at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing supervisor for a luxury resort. She claims she concerns host bars one or two times a month.
Minkyoung is really quite and also her clothing are spotless. She does not look like a person that would certainly require to spend for male firm. Yet the appeal of host bars can be refined. Here, she claims, she has more focus from her male companions, even more option as well as, most importantly, even more control.
PROMOTION
" In routine bars the guys that consume alcohol with me have only one objective - to have a casual sex. I do not want that, so that's why I come below, I desire to have fun," she claims.
Hosts are worked with by bars like this one to give friendship and also enjoyment. Officially that indicates putting beverages for their customers, dancing and also talking with them, and vocal singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially available in many host bars. That would certainly be prohibited however also Minkyoung seems delighted to flirt as well as touch with her host, as well as the males here approximate that around half the customers wish to pay for sex, either on or off the properties.
James has been functioning at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean society, he states, there is a great deal of satisfaction and also working out a price for sex is never ever done clearly. Instead, he informs me, it is all down to the host's own assessment.
" The individuals right here are pros - we understand what we're doing," he says.
성남룸
" After speaking with a woman for an hour we generally understand how much money she makes and also what she provides for a living. We've already evaluated her personality as well as what she agrees to provide."
James and other hosts state their customers include several of South Korea's elite, as well as that the cash and benefits available are unbelievable. One customer James met, throughout his initial week in the work, asked him to authorize himself over to her for 2 years.
" She claimed 'allow's make an agreement. I've got this notepad and also I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you compose down beside those numbers, I'll get you.'".
James claims at the time he took it as a joke however given that discovered the very same lady invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on another host.
" If it took place currently, I 'd do it - I 'd be assuming straight.".
Paradoxically probably, host bars grew out of among Korea's most entrenched and, some claim, misogynist service traditions - the space hair salon. These are exclusive drinking rooms where groups of guys choose, and also are offered by, appealing women hostesses.
It was the people hosting' need to allow off vapor after job, claims professional host Kim Dong-hee, that developed the first demand for host bars, with all-male staff.
These ladies are forced to do things they do not want to do for money.
" I assume a whole lot of them are in pain, and a great deal really feel lonesome. Basically, they desire to purchase our time as well as our bodies.".
Hostesses still make up a huge percentage of the customers at host bars below, yet at Bar 123, for instance, approximately 40% of the clients on a given night are now from various other profession.
The factors for that expanding appeal are locked up in South Korea's fast financial rise. Within 50 years, the country shifted from post-war devastation to OECD participant.
But, according to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something essential was shed along the road.
" I assume that with all this quick development comes quick change, as well as Koreans just don't understand how to deal with it. Progressively, industrialism is surpassing basic societal norms that you would anticipate a couple of decades ago.".
Jasper Kim says South Korea's infamously lengthy working hrs have actually left several Korean females really feeling lonesome, while the country's technical advance has left several individuals feeling separated.
" The human component of Korean society that existed in the past merely does not exist today. Individuals are focused on modern technology, individuals are concentrated on their tasks, they aren't concentrated on human relations anymore.
" In many methods, Korean culture today sort of advises me of 1960s culture in the US, where it's on the verge of some kind of social revolution.".

The grandfather of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that a number of the ladies that pertain to host bars are not paying for sex but also for friendship, which is why he opened a brand-new chain of freshly-marketed outlets focused on the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Picture caption,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men wish to have aesthetic satisfaction as well as wish to really feel things, they're responsive. Women like to speak and to listen. Which's why I believed of opening a bar such as this - a sort of dialogue bar.".
Red Model Bars are various to conventional host bars in one crucial regard - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts rest on one side of the table, consumers on the other, as well as no physical call is allowed, and also certainly no sex.
Probably because of this there is an absence of furtiveness amongst individuals who function or drink right here - the lights are low, the design generally dark red and also the room is split into discreet cubicles, yet it is an open-plan space as well as clients and also hosts are split in each booth by a huge table.
This new service design depends completely on women paying the matching of hundreds or even countless dollars to speak with fine-looking boys over a beverage. Still, it seems to be functioning - 3 brand-new branches result from open this year.
Resting at a table at one end of the bar was one of their routine customers, a flower shop called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes here every day to meet her favourite host and also talk about problems she is contending work.
The rate for this piece of male attention is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to friends would certainly be less costly" she admits, "but they don't pay attention as much. They're busy, and quickly to discuss themselves. Right here, people will certainly take note of me as well as they'll listen to me.".
" I spend a lot of cash but it's worth it of what I get emotionally. Individuals pay to visit see a psycho therapist or psychoanalyst, so it's comparable however much less difficult.".
Nayu's preferred host Sung-il states it can be hard to maintain his individual and also specialist life separate.
" Honestly I 'd be existing if I say I haven't been lured to take things better with some consumers, due to the fact that we're human, we're guys, however there are rules.".
Among his consumers spoke a great deal to her hubby regarding him and also when the three of them fulfilled, Sung-il and also the partner ended up being buddies.
" No one conceals - the workers do not hide that they function right here, as well as clients can be open too.".
This openness is positioning a new type of obstacle to South Korean culture, different from the in some cases shabby abyss of typical host bars and their hinterland of male hooking.
By offering women a "decent" method to test conventional sex functions and flex their financial power, these new bars ask inquiries of Korean society that are ending up being more difficult to disregard.
Hear the complete record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can listen by means of the Radio 4 site or by means of the Crossing Continents podcast.
The attraction of host bars can be refined. Here, she claims, she has even more attention from her male friends, more selection and also, crucially, more control.
James has actually been working at Bar 123 for a pair of years. Rather, he tells me, it is all down to the host's very own analysis.
And that's why I thought of opening a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".