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Figure out more regarding women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's rapid financial development has suggested some stunning adjustments within its conservative social structure, consisting of the increase of so-called host bars, where rich females pay the equivalent of thousands of dollars for male business.
In the dim light of a basement, a lots flawlessly brushed young men stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscular, with glossy boy-band hairdos, they cram side by side into the slim space, waiting on us to make our choice. Outside in the passage, even more of their associates are arriving for an additional evening at the workplace. It is 2am, and we are their very first consumers.
Concealed below the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the guys at Bar 123 become part of a growing sector, which outgrew the lengthy customs of Japanese geisha as well as Korea's kisaeng homes yet with one important distinction - the customers right here are all females.
Referred to as "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption areas supply female customers the possibility to pick and pay for male companions, sometimes at a price of countless pounds an evening.
One of the women I fulfill at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a first-class resort. As soon as or twice a month, she says she comes to host bars.
The attraction of host bars can be subtle. Right here, she says, she has even more focus from her male buddies, more selection and, crucially, even more control.
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" In normal bars the guys who drink with me have just one objective - to have a casual sex. I don't want that, so that's why I come right here, I desire to have fun," she claims.
Hosts are worked with by bars such as this one to offer friendship and amusement. Formally that means putting beverages for their consumers, chatting and dancing with them, and also singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially on deal in a lot of host bars. That would be unlawful however also Minkyoung seems satisfied to flirt as well as touch with her host, as well as the guys here estimate that around half the consumers 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 culture, he claims, there is a great deal of satisfaction and also discussing a cost for sex is never done explicitly. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host's own analysis.
" The people below are pros - we understand what we're doing," he says.
" After chatting to a woman for an hour we primarily know just how much cash she makes and what she provides for a living. We've already evaluated her individuality as well as what she wants to offer."
James and also various other hosts claim their clients consist of several of South Korea's elite, as well as that the cash and benefits available are amazing. One client James met, during his first week in the work, asked him to authorize himself over to her for 2 years.
" She stated 'let's make a contract. I've obtained this notepad and also I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you document alongside those numbers, I'll get you.'".
James says at the time he took it as a joke but considering that figured out the same lady invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on another host.
" If it occurred now, I 'd do it - I would certainly be thinking straight.".
Paradoxically perhaps, host bars outgrew among Korea's most entrenched and, some state, misogynist company traditions - the space hair salon. These are personal alcohol consumption spaces where groups of males select, as well as are offered by, eye-catching female people hosting.
It was the people hosting' requirement to let off vapor after job, states veteran host Kim Dong-hee, that produced the first demand for host bars, with all-male staff.
These women are required to do things they do not desire to do for cash.
" I assume a great deal of them are in discomfort, and also a great deal feel lonesome. Basically, they intend to buy our time as well as our bodies.".
People hosting still comprise a huge percent of the consumers at host bars below, however at Bar 123, as an example, as much as 40% of the clients on a given evening are currently from other strolls of life.
The factors for that expanding charm are locked up in South Korea's quick economic surge. Within 50 years, the nation changed from post-war destruction to OECD participant.
However, 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 modification, and also Koreans just don't recognize just how to deal with it. Significantly, commercialism is overtaking basic social norms that you would certainly expect a number of years ago.".
Jasper Kim says South Korea's notoriously lengthy functioning hrs have actually left many Korean women really feeling lonesome, while the country's technical development has actually left lots of people feeling removed.
" The human element of Korean society that existed in the past simply does not exist today. Individuals are concentrated on technology, individuals are concentrated on their tasks, they aren't concentrated on human relationships anymore.
" In many methods, Korean culture today kind of reminds me of 1960s culture in the US, where it's on the verge of some kind of social revolution.".
The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that much of the ladies who pertain to host bars are not paying for sex however, for friendship, which is why he opened up a new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets intended at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Image caption,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men intend to have visual pleasure and intend to feel points, they're responsive. Women like to speak and also to listen. And also that's why I thought about opening a bar like this - a type of discussion bar.".
Red Model Bars are different to standard host bars in one crucial regard - there is a no-touching regulation. Hosts rest on one side of the table, clients on the other, and no physical get in touch with is enabled, and certainly no sex.
Possibly because of this there is a lack of furtiveness among individuals that work or consume here - the lights are low, the style primarily dark red as well as the space is divided right into discreet booths, yet it is an open-plan space and hosts and clients are separated in each cubicle by a large table.
This new company version depends entirely on ladies paying the matching of hundreds and even countless bucks to speak to fine-looking boys over a drink. Still, it appears to be functioning - 3 brand-new branches are due to open this year.
Resting at a table at one end of the bar was among their normal clients, a flower shop called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes right here on a daily basis to satisfy her favourite host and discuss issues she is having at job.
The cost for this slice of male attention is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to buddies would certainly be cheaper" she confesses, "yet they do not listen as much. They're hectic, as well as in a hurry to discuss themselves. Right here, individuals will certainly take notice of me and also they'll listen to me.".
" I invest a great deal of cash but it deserves it for what I get mentally. Individuals pay to head to see a psycho therapist or psychiatrist, so it's comparable but less difficult.".
Nayu's favorite host Sung-il says it can be tough to maintain his personal and expert life different.
" Honestly I would certainly be lying if I claim I haven't been tempted to take things additionally with some consumers, due to the fact that we're human, we're men, yet there are regulations.".
One of his clients yapped to her spouse regarding him and when the 3 of them fulfilled, Sung-il as well as the spouse ended up being buddies.
" No one conceals - the employees do not hide that they work below, and clients can be open as well.".
This openness is posing a brand-new type of challenge to South Korean society, various from the in some cases sleazy underworld of conventional host bars and their hinterland of male prostitution.
By providing women a "reputable" way to test conventional sex duties as well as bend their economic power, these new bars ask concerns of Korean culture that are ending up being more challenging to ignore.
Hear the complete report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can listen using the Radio 4 website or by means of the Crossing Continents podcast.
The allure of host bars can be subtle. Below, she states, she has more interest from her male friends, even more selection as well as, crucially, even more control.

James has actually been working at Bar 123 for a pair of years. Instead, he informs me, it is all down to the host's own assessment.
As well as that's why I believed of opening a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".


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