Notes

Learn more concerning women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea
South Korea's rapid economic growth has suggested some startling adjustments within its conservative social framework, including the rise of so-called host bars, where rich females pay the matching of hundreds of bucks for male company.

In the dark light of a basement, a dozen flawlessly groomed young males stoop in rows, calling out their names.

Muscle, with glossy boy-band hairstyles, they cram side by side right into the slim space, waiting on us to make our option. Outdoors in the hallway, more of their coworkers are getting here for one more night at the workplace. It is 2am, and we are their very first customers.

Concealed beneath the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the guys at Bar 123 are component of an expanding sector, which expanded out of the long practices of Japanese geisha as well as Korea's kisaeng homes but with one important difference - the consumers right here are all women.

Referred to as "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption areas supply women clients the opportunity to pay and also select for male friends, sometimes at a price of hundreds of pounds a night.

Among the females I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing supervisor for a luxury resort. She says she involves host bars once or two times a month.


Minkyoung is extremely rather and her clothes are spotless. She does not look like someone who would certainly require to pay for male business. Yet the appeal of host bars can be subtle. Below, she claims, she has more interest from her male companions, even more selection and also, crucially, more control.
PROMOTION



" In routine bars the individuals who consume alcohol with me have just one objective - to have an one-night stand. Yet I do not want that, to make sure that's why I come right here, I intend to have enjoyable," she says.

Hosts are employed by bars like this one to supply companionship and enjoyment. Officially that implies putting beverages for their consumers, dancing and also chatting with them, as well as vocal singing karaoke.

Host bar in Seoul

Sex is not formally on offer in most host bars. That would be illegal yet even Minkyoung appears happy to tease and also touch with her host, and also the guys below estimate that around half the clients wish to spend for sex, either on or off the facilities.

James has been functioning at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean culture, he states, there is a great deal of satisfaction and discussing a cost for sex is never done clearly. Rather, he tells me, it is all to the host's own assessment.

" The individuals right here are pros - we know what we're doing," he claims.

" After chatting to a lady for a hr we essentially know exactly how much money she makes and what she provides for a living. We've currently evaluated her individuality and also what she wants to give."

James as well as other hosts say their consumers include a few of South Korea's elite, which the cash and advantages on offer boggle the mind. One client James satisfied, throughout his first week in the work, asked him to sign himself over to her for two years.

" She said 'let's make an agreement. I've got this paper as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you document beside those numbers, I'll obtain you.'".

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

" If it happened currently, I would certainly do it - I would certainly be thinking straight.".

Actually possibly, host bars expanded out of one of Korea's most established and also, some claim, misogynist organization customs - the space beauty parlor. These are personal drinking rooms where teams of males select, and also are served by, attractive women hostesses.

It was the people hosting' demand to allow off steam after job, states expert host Kim Dong-hee, that developed the preliminary need for host bars, with all-male personnel.

These ladies are forced to do things they don't desire to do for cash.

" I believe a lot of them are in discomfort, as well as a lot feel lonesome. Put simply, they wish to buy our time as well as our bodies.".

People hosting still make up a large percent of the customers at host bars below, however at Bar 123, as an example, as much as 40% of the customers on a given evening are now from other strolls of life.

The factors for that expanding appeal are linked up in South Korea's rapid financial rise. Within 50 years, the nation moved from post-war destruction to OECD participant.

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

" I think that with all this rapid growth comes quick modification, as well as Koreans simply don't recognize exactly how to handle it. Significantly, industrialism is surpassing standard societal norms that you would expect a number of years back.".

해운대호빠 Jasper Kim says South Korea's infamously long working hours have actually left lots of Korean females really feeling lonely, while the nation's technological breakthrough has left lots of individuals really feeling detached.

" The human aspect of Korean culture that existed before just doesn't exist today. Individuals are concentrated on modern technology, people are concentrated on their work, they aren't concentrated on human relationships any longer.

" In several means, Korean society today type of reminds me of 1960s society in the United States, where it's on the verge of some type of cultural revolution.".

The grandfather of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that much of the females that pertain to host bars are not paying for sex but for friendship, which is why he opened a brand-new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets focused on the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.

Red Model Bar hosts.
Picture inscription,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men wish to have aesthetic pleasure and intend to feel points, they're responsive. Women like to speak and also to listen. Which's why I considered opening a bar like this - a sort of dialogue bar.".

Red Model Bars are different to typical host bars in one vital respect - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts rest on one side of the table, customers on the various other, and also no physical get in touch with is allowed, and absolutely no sex.

Perhaps as an outcome there is an absence of furtiveness amongst individuals that work or consume right here - the lights are reduced, the decor primarily dark red and the space is separated right into discreet booths, however it is an open-plan room as well as clients and hosts are split in each cubicle by a large table.

This brand-new service design depends completely on females paying the matching of hundreds and even thousands of dollars to speak to fine-looking boys over a beverage. Still, it seems to be working - three new branches are because of open this year.

Sitting at a table at one end of the bar was among their normal clients, a floral designer called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes right here everyday to satisfy her favorite host as well as talk about concerns she is having at job.

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

" Talking to pals would certainly be cheaper" she confesses, "yet they don't listen as much. They're active, as well as in a hurry to speak about themselves. Below, individuals will focus on me and they'll pay attention to me.".

" I spend a great deal of cash yet it deserves it of what I get psychologically. People pay to visit see a psychologist or psychoanalyst, so it's similar yet less difficult.".

Nayu's favourite host Sung-il claims it can be difficult to keep his expert as well as personal life separate.

" Honestly I 'd be lying if I state I haven't been attracted to take points better with some customers, because we're human, we're guys, but there are guidelines.".

One of his customers spoke a whole lot to her husband regarding him and when the 3 of them satisfied, Sung-il as well as the spouse came to be friends.

" No one conceals - the employees don't conceal that they function here, as well as clients can be open too.".

This openness is presenting a new sort of challenge to South Korean culture, various from the occasionally seedy abyss of typical host bars as well as their hinterland of male prostitution.

By offering females a "commendable" method to test typical sex duties and flex their financial power, these brand-new bars ask inquiries of Korean culture that are becoming tougher to disregard.

Listen to the complete report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention using the Radio 4 website or via the Crossing Continents podcast.


The appeal of host bars can be subtle. Right here, she says, she has more focus from her male friends, even more choice and, most importantly, even more control.
James has been functioning at Bar 123 for a pair of years. Rather, 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.".

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