Notes

Figure out even more regarding women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's quick financial advancement has actually indicated some shocking adjustments within its traditional social framework, including the increase of so-called host bars, where well-off ladies pay the equivalent of countless dollars for male firm.
In the dark light of an underground space, a loads perfectly groomed young guys kneel in rows, calling out their names.
Muscular, with glossy boy-band hairstyles, they cram side by side into the narrow space, waiting on us to make our selection. Outdoors in the corridor, even more of their colleagues are getting here for one more evening at the office. It is 2am, and we are their initial consumers.
Concealed beneath the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the men at Bar 123 are part of a growing sector, which outgrew the long traditions of Japanese geisha as well as Korea's kisaeng residences however with one critical difference - the customers right here are all ladies.
Referred to as "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption rooms use women consumers the chance to pay and select for male friends, in some cases at a cost of hundreds of pounds a night.
One of the ladies I satisfy at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a first-class hotel. She says she involves host bars one or two times a month.
The attraction of host bars can be refined. Below, she says, she has even more focus from her male companions, more option and also, most importantly, even more control.
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" In routine bars the individuals who drink with me have just one objective - to have a casual sex. I do not desire that, so that's why I come below, I desire to have fun," she claims.
Hosts are employed by bars such as this one to provide friendship as well as enjoyment. Formally that suggests putting beverages for their customers, dancing and also talking with them, as well as vocal singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not formally on deal in the majority of host bars. That would certainly be illegal but even Minkyoung appears satisfied to tease as well as touch with her host, and also the males here estimate that around half the clients intend to spend for sex, either on or off the properties.
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James has been functioning at Bar 123 for a couple of years. In Korean society, he claims, there is a great deal of satisfaction and working out a cost for sex is never ever done explicitly. Rather, he informs me, it is all to the host's very own analysis.
" The people below are pros - we understand what we're doing," he claims.
" After speaking with a woman for a hr we primarily recognize just how much money she makes and also what she does for a living. We've already analysed her character as well as what she agrees to provide."
James and also other hosts say their customers consist of a few of South Korea's elite, as well as that the money as well as benefits on offer are astounding. One client James fulfilled, throughout his very first week in the task, asked him to authorize himself over to her for two years.
" She stated 'let's make a contract. I've obtained this piece of paper and I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you compose down following to those numbers, I'll get you.'".
James states at the time he took it as a joke but because discovered out the very same female invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.
" If it took place currently, I would certainly do it - I 'd be assuming straight.".
Actually maybe, host bars outgrew one of Korea's most entrenched as well as, some claim, misogynist service traditions - the room hair salon. These are personal alcohol consumption rooms where teams of guys choose, and also are served by, appealing female hostesses.
It was the people hosting' need to let off steam after work, claims expert host Kim Dong-hee, that produced the preliminary demand for host bars, with all-male team.
" What these people hosting want is to [make us] do the very same point they needed to carry out in their own office. These girls are compelled to do things they do not desire to provide for cash.
" I believe a whole lot of them are in pain, as well as a great deal feel lonesome. Basically, they wish to purchase our time and also our bodies.".
Hostesses still make up a big percentage of the clients at host bars below, however at Bar 123, for instance, approximately 40% of the consumers on a provided evening are currently from other strolls of life.
The factors for that expanding charm are bound in South Korea's rapid financial surge. Within 50 years, the country shifted from post-war destruction to OECD member.
According to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something vital was shed along the way.
" I think that with all this rapid development comes rapid change, and Koreans simply don't know exactly how to deal with it. Increasingly, industrialism is overtaking fundamental societal norms that you would anticipate a number of years ago.".
Jasper Kim claims South Korea's infamously long functioning hrs have actually left many Korean ladies feeling lonely, while the country's technological development has actually left lots of people really feeling detached.
" The human aspect of Korean culture that existed in the past merely does not exist today. Individuals are concentrated on modern technology, individuals are focused on their tasks, they aren't focused on human relations any longer.
" In several methods, Korean culture today sort of advises me of 1960s society in the US, where it's on the brink of some type of social transformation.".
The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that much of the women that concern host bars are not spending for sex however, for companionship, which is why he opened a new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets focused on the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Photo inscription,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men intend to have aesthetic pleasure and want to really feel points, they're tactile. Ladies like to talk and also to pay attention. As well as that's why I thought about opening a bar similar to this - a sort of discussion bar.".
Red Model Bars are different to conventional host bars in one crucial respect - there is a no-touching policy. Hosts remain on one side of the table, consumers on the various other, and no physical contact is permitted, and also definitely no sex.
Maybe because of this there is an absence of furtiveness amongst individuals that work or consume alcohol below - the lights are reduced, the style primarily dark red and also the room is divided into very discreet cubicles, but it is an open-plan area and hosts and also clients are split in each booth by a large table.
This new company model depends totally on ladies paying the matching of hundreds and even hundreds of bucks to speak with attractive boys over a beverage. Still, it seems to be functioning - three new branches result from open this year.
Resting at a table at one end of bench was just one of their regular customers, a flower shop called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes right here everyday to fulfill her favorite host and also go over issues she is contending work.
The cost for this piece of male attention is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to close friends would be less costly" she admits, "however they do not pay attention as much. They're active, as well as quickly to speak about themselves. Below, individuals will certainly take notice of me and also they'll listen to me.".
" I invest a great deal of money however it's worth it for what I get psychologically. Individuals pay to head to see a psychologist or psychoanalyst, so it's similar but much less demanding.".
Nayu's favorite host Sung-il says it can be hard to keep his specialist and personal life different.
" Honestly I 'd be lying if I say I have not been attracted to take points additionally with some consumers, since we're human, we're males, but there are guidelines.".
Among his customers yapped to her spouse concerning him and when the three of them fulfilled, Sung-il and also the partner became close buddies.
" No one hides - the employees don't hide that they function here, and also clients can be open as well.".
This openness is posturing a new kind of obstacle to South Korean society, various from the often sleazy underworld of conventional host bars and their hinterland of male hooking.
By providing females a "respectable" means to challenge traditional sex roles and bend their financial power, these brand-new bars ask questions of Korean society that are ending up being tougher to neglect.
Hear the full report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention by means of the Radio 4 internet site or using the Crossing Continents podcast.
The allure of host bars can be refined. Right here, she states, she has even more focus from her male friends, even more choice as well as, most importantly, more control.
James has been functioning at Bar 123 for a couple of years. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host's very own assessment.
As well as that's why I thought of opening up a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".



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