Notes

Locate out more concerning women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's fast financial growth has indicated some surprising modifications within its conventional social structure, including the surge of so-called host bars, where wealthy women pay the matching of countless bucks for male business.

In the dim light of a basement, a loads completely groomed young men stoop in rows, calling out their names.

Muscle, with glossy boy-band hairstyles, they stuff alongside into the slim room, waiting for us to make our option. Outdoors in the passage, more of their coworkers are arriving for an additional night at work. It is 2am, as well as we are their very first customers.

Concealed beneath the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the males at Bar 123 become part of a growing sector, which outgrew the lengthy traditions of Japanese geisha and also Korea's kisaeng homes but with one critical difference - the clients right here are all ladies.

Referred to as "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption areas use female clients the chance to choose and also pay for male companions, occasionally at a price of hundreds of pounds a night.

Among the females I satisfy at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a luxury hotel. She states she concerns host bars as soon as or two times a month.


The appeal of host bars can be refined. Below, she claims, she has even more focus from her male companions, even more selection as well as, most importantly, more control.

PROMOTION



" In normal bars the individuals that consume alcohol with me have just one objective - to have a casual sex. I do not want that, so that's why I come right here, I desire to have fun," she claims.

Hosts are employed by bars similar to this one to offer companionship and also enjoyment. Formally that implies putting drinks for their consumers, dancing and speaking with them, as well as singing karaoke.

Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not formally on offer in many host bars. That would be illegal however also Minkyoung seems happy to touch and tease with her host, as well as the men here approximate that around half the customers wish to pay for sex, either on or off the premises.

James has been operating at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean society, he claims, there is a whole lot of pride as well as discussing a rate for sex is never ever done clearly. Rather, he tells me, it is all to the host's very own analysis.

" The guys here are pros - we know what we're doing," he says.

" After talking with a woman for a hr we essentially recognize just how much money she makes and also what she does for a living. We've currently analysed her character and what she wants to provide."

James and also other hosts say their consumers include some of South Korea's elite, and also that the cash as well as perks on deal boggle the mind. One client James satisfied, throughout his initial week in the work, asked him to authorize himself over to her for two years.

" She claimed 'allow's make an agreement. I've obtained this notepad and also I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you make a note of alongside those numbers, I'll obtain you.'".

James claims at the time he took it as a joke however because found out the very same female invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.

" If it occurred currently, I 'd do it - I would certainly be believing straight.".

Ironically probably, host bars grew out of among Korea's most entrenched and also, some state, misogynist company traditions - the room beauty parlor. These are exclusive drinking spaces where groups of males select, and are served by, appealing female people hosting.

It was the hostesses' requirement to allow off vapor after work, claims professional host Kim Dong-hee, that developed the preliminary demand for host bars, with all-male staff.

" What these hostesses want is to [make us] do the same point they had to perform in their own workplace. These girls are required to do points they do not want to do for money.

" I think a great deal of them are in discomfort, as well as a great deal feel lonely. Put simply, they intend to purchase our time as well as our bodies.".

People hosting still make up a large percent of the customers at host bars right here, however at Bar 123, for instance, as much as 40% of the clients on an offered night are now from various other strolls of life.

The factors for that growing allure are locked up in South Korea's rapid economic increase. Within 50 years, the nation shifted from post-war destruction to OECD participant.

According to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something vital was shed along the method.

" I assume that with all this rapid growth comes rapid modification, and also Koreans simply don't recognize just how to deal with it. Significantly, capitalism is overtaking fundamental social standards that you would expect a pair of decades back.".

Jasper Kim states South Korea's notoriously long functioning hours have left lots of Korean women feeling lonesome, while the nation's technical breakthrough has left lots of people really feeling separated.

" The human element of Korean society that existed before simply doesn't exist today. Individuals are focused on modern technology, individuals are focused on their work, they aren't focused on human relationships anymore.

" In numerous ways, Korean culture today type of reminds me of 1960s culture in the United States, where it's on the brink of some sort of social revolution.".

The grandfather of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that most of the women that concern host bars are not paying for sex however for friendship, which is why he opened a new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets targeted at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.

Red Model Bar hosts.
Photo caption,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men wish to have visual pleasure as well as wish to really feel things, they're tactile. Females like to speak as well as to pay attention. As well as that's why I assumed of opening up a bar like this - a sort of dialogue bar.".

Red Model Bars are different to conventional host bars in one vital respect - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts remain on one side of the table, customers on the other, and no physical get in touch with is allowed, as well as definitely no sex.

Perhaps as an outcome there is an absence of furtiveness among individuals who function or drink below - the lights are reduced, the design primarily dark red and the room is split into discreet booths, but it is an open-plan room and consumers and also hosts are split in each cubicle by a large table.

This new company design depends completely on women paying the equivalent of hundreds or perhaps hundreds of bucks to speak to good-looking young guys over a drink. Still, it appears to be functioning - three brand-new branches are due to open this year.

Resting at a table at one end of the bar was one of their routine clients, a florist called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes right here on a daily basis to fulfill her much-loved host as well as go over problems she is contending job.

The cost for this slice of male focus is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.

" Talking to pals would certainly be cheaper" she admits, "yet they do not pay attention as much. They're busy, and also in a hurry to discuss themselves. Right here, people will take note of me and also they'll listen to me.".

" I spend a great deal of money however it's worth it for what I get psychologically. Individuals pay to head to see a psycho therapist or psychiatrist, so it's comparable however less difficult.".

Nayu's favourite host Sung-il claims it can be hard to maintain his personal and specialist life separate.

" Honestly I 'd be lying if I state I have not been attracted to take things better with some customers, due to the fact that we're human, we're men, but there are policies.".

Among his consumers talked a lot to her other half regarding him and when the 3 of them satisfied, Sung-il and also the spouse came to be buddies.

" No one conceals - the workers don't conceal that they work below, and also clients can be open as well.".

This visibility is posturing a new kind of challenge to South Korean culture, various from the in some cases shabby abyss of typical host bars as well as their hinterland of male hooking.

By providing females a "respectable" means to challenge traditional gender roles and also bend their economic power, these new bars ask concerns of Korean society that are ending up being more challenging to ignore.

Hear the complete report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. 정자노래방 You can pay attention through the Radio 4 internet site or through the Crossing Continents podcast.


The allure of host bars can be subtle. Below, she says, she has more interest from her male buddies, even more choice and, most importantly, even 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 own evaluation.

And also that's why I thought of opening up a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".

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