Notes

Learn more concerning women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's fast financial growth has actually suggested some stunning modifications within its traditional social framework, including the surge of supposed host bars, where affluent females pay the equivalent of hundreds of bucks for male business.
In the dim light of an underground room, a dozen perfectly brushed young guys stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscle, with glossy boy-band hairstyles, they pack side-by-side into the narrow space, waiting on us to make our choice. Outdoors in the passage, more of their associates are showing up for one more evening at the office. It is 2am, and we are their very first customers.
Hidden beneath the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the guys at Bar 123 become part of a growing industry, which expanded out of the lengthy practices of Japanese geisha and also Korea's kisaeng homes however with one critical distinction - the consumers below are all ladies.
Referred to as "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption rooms use female customers the opportunity to pay and also choose for male friends, often at a price of thousands of pounds an evening.
Among the ladies I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing supervisor for a first-class hotel. When or twice a month, she claims she comes to host bars.
The allure of host bars can be refined. Below, she states, she has more focus from her male buddies, more option and also, crucially, more control.
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" In routine bars the men who drink with me have just one goal - to have an one-night stand. Yet I don't desire that, to make sure that's why I come right here, I wish to have enjoyable," she claims.
Hosts are hired by bars like this one to supply companionship and also amusement. Formally that indicates putting beverages for their customers, dancing and also speaking with them, and vocal singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially on deal in most host bars. That would certainly be unlawful but even Minkyoung appears satisfied to touch and tease with her host, as well as the males right here approximate that around half the customers intend to pay for sex, either on or off the premises.
James has been working at Bar 123 for a couple of years. In Korean culture, he states, there is a great deal of satisfaction as well as negotiating a rate for sex is never done explicitly. Rather, he tells me, it is all down to the host's own evaluation.
" The individuals below are pros - we understand what we're doing," he says.
" After speaking to a lady for a hr we basically know just how much money she makes as well as what she provides for a living. We've currently evaluated her character and also what she agrees to offer."
James as well as other hosts claim their clients include a few of South Korea's elite, as well as that the cash and benefits on offer are astounding. One client James met, during his initial week in the job, asked him to sign himself over to her for 2 years.
" She claimed 'allow's make a contract. I've obtained this paper as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you document 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 another host.
" If it happened now, I would certainly do it - I would certainly be believing straight.".
Ironically probably, host bars grew out of among Korea's most established as well as, some state, misogynist service traditions - the space beauty parlor. These are exclusive drinking rooms where groups of men select, as well as are served by, eye-catching female hostesses.
It was the hostesses' need to allow off heavy steam after work, claims professional host Kim Dong-hee, that created the preliminary demand for host bars, with all-male staff.
" What these hostesses want is to [make us] do the exact same point they had to do in their very own office. These women are forced to do things they do not desire to provide for money.
" I think a great deal of them are in pain, and a whole lot feel lonely. Put simply, they desire to get our time as well as our bodies.".
People hosting still comprise a large portion of the clients at host bars right here, yet at Bar 123, as an example, approximately 40% of the clients on a provided evening are currently from various other profession.
The reasons for that expanding charm are locked up in South Korea's fast economic rise. Within 50 years, the nation moved from post-war devastation to OECD participant.
According to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something essential was lost along the way.
" I assume that with all this quick development comes quick modification, and Koreans just don't recognize just how to manage it. Progressively, industrialism is surpassing standard social standards that you would expect a couple of years back.".
Jasper Kim claims South Korea's notoriously long working hours have actually left many Korean women feeling lonesome, while the nation's technological breakthrough has actually left lots of people really feeling detached.
" The human element of Korean society that existed before simply does not exist today. People are focused on technology, people are concentrated on their tasks, they aren't concentrated on human relations anymore.
" In several ways, Korean society today type of reminds me of 1960s society in the United States, where it's on the brink of some kind of cultural transformation.".
The grandfather of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that numerous of the women who come to host bars are not paying for sex but for companionship, which is why he opened a brand-new chain of freshly-marketed outlets aimed at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
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Red Model Bar hosts.
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Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch customers.
" Men wish to have aesthetic pleasure as well as wish to really feel points, they're responsive. Females like to chat as well as to listen. And that's why I considered opening a bar similar to this - a kind of discussion bar.".
Red Model Bars are various to traditional host bars in one crucial regard - there is a no-touching guideline. Hosts rest on one side of the table, consumers on the various other, and also no physical call is allowed, as well as certainly no sex.
Maybe consequently there is a lack of furtiveness amongst the people who work or consume alcohol here - the lights are low, the style generally dark red and the space is split into discreet cubicles, yet it is an open-plan area and customers and also hosts are divided in each booth by a big table.
This new business model depends completely on females paying the equivalent of hundreds or perhaps countless dollars to speak to fine-looking boys over a beverage. Still, it seems to be working - 3 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 here each day to satisfy her favorite host and discuss issues she is having at job.
The rate for this slice of male attention is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to close friends would be more affordable" she admits, "but they don't pay attention as much. They're busy, and also quickly to discuss themselves. Below, individuals will certainly take notice of me and also they'll pay attention to me.".
" I invest a lot of cash yet it deserves it for what I get psychologically. People pay to head to see a psycho therapist or psychiatrist, so it's comparable yet less stressful.".
Nayu's preferred host Sung-il claims it can be hard to maintain his personal and specialist life separate.
" Honestly I 'd be lying if I claim I have not been attracted to take points even more with some clients, since we're human, we're males, but there are regulations.".
One of his clients talked a whole lot to her other half concerning him and when the 3 of them met, Sung-il and also the partner became close pals.
" No one hides - the employees don't hide that they work right here, and clients can be open too.".
This visibility is positioning a new sort of obstacle to South Korean culture, different from the occasionally sleazy abyss of standard host bars and their hinterland of male prostitution.
By offering females a "reputable" means to challenge standard gender duties and also bend their economic power, these brand-new bars ask questions of Korean society that are becoming tougher to disregard.
Listen to the full report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can listen by means of the Radio 4 website or by means of the Crossing Continents podcast.
The appeal of host bars can be subtle. Here, she claims, she has even more focus from her male companions, even more selection and, most importantly, more control.
James has been functioning at Bar 123 for a pair of years. Instead, 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 dialogue bar.".


Homepage: https://www.bundangroom.club/jeongja