FIGURE OUT EVEN MORE ABOUT WOMEN-ONLY HOST BARS IN GANGNAM, KOREA
South Korea's quick economic growth has actually suggested some stunning modifications within its conventional social framework, consisting of the increase of supposed host bars, where rich ladies pay the equivalent of hundreds of bucks for male company.
In the dim light of an underground space, a loads perfectly brushed young males stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscle, with shiny boy-band hairstyles, they cram alongside into the narrow room, waiting on us to make our option. Outdoors in the hallway, even more of their coworkers are getting here for one more evening at the workplace. It is 2am, and we are their initial clients.
Concealed under the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the males at Bar 123 become part of an expanding market, which grew out of the lengthy traditions of Japanese geisha and also Korea's kisaeng houses however with one vital distinction - the clients below are all women.
Understood as "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption areas provide women consumers the opportunity to select and also pay for male companions, in some cases at a cost of thousands of pounds an evening.
Among the ladies I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a luxury resort. Once or two times a month, she states she comes to host bars.
Minkyoung is really pretty as well as her garments are spotless. She does not look like someone that would certainly need to pay for male business. But the appeal of host bars can be refined. Here, she says, she has even more attention from her male buddies, more option and also, crucially, even more control.
PROMOTION
" In routine bars the guys who consume with me have just one goal - to have a casual sex. I do not want that, so that's why I come here, I desire to have fun," she states.
Hosts are employed by bars similar to this one to supply friendship as well as entertainment. Officially that suggests putting drinks for their consumers, dancing and chatting with them, and vocal singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially available in many host bars. That would be prohibited yet also Minkyoung seems satisfied to tease as well as touch with her host, as well as the males below approximate that around half the customers wish to spend for sex, either on or off the properties.
James has been working at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean culture, he claims, there is a whole lot of pride and bargaining a cost for sex is never ever done clearly. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host's very own evaluation.
" The men right here are pros - we recognize what we're doing," he says.
" After talking with a woman for a hr we generally understand just how much cash she makes as well as what she provides for a living. We've already evaluated her personality as well as what she wants to provide."
James and also various other hosts state their clients include a few of South Korea's elite, and that the money and also rewards on deal boggle the mind. One customer James satisfied, during his very first week in the work, asked him to sign himself over to her for two years.
" She claimed 'let's make an agreement. I've got this notepad and also I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you make a note of beside those numbers, I'll get you.'".
James states at the time he took it as a joke but since discovered the very same lady spent ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.
" If it occurred currently, I 'd do it - I would certainly be assuming straight.".
Paradoxically maybe, host bars outgrew one of Korea's most entrenched and, some say, misogynist business traditions - the room beauty salon. These are exclusive alcohol consumption rooms where groups of men select, and also are offered by, eye-catching female people hosting.
It was the people hosting' need to let off steam after job, states veteran host Kim Dong-hee, that created the first need for host bars, with all-male team.
성남유흥
These women are required to do points they do not want to do for money.
" I assume a whole lot of them are in discomfort, and also a whole lot feel lonesome. Put simply, they want to acquire our time as well as our bodies.".
Hostesses still comprise a big percentage of the clients at host bars below, however at Bar 123, for instance, as much as 40% of the clients on a provided evening are now from various other profession.
The factors for that growing charm are linked up in South Korea's fast financial surge. Within 50 years, the nation moved from post-war destruction to OECD member.
However, according to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something vital was shed along the method.
" I think that with all this quick development comes rapid adjustment, and also Koreans simply do not understand exactly how to deal with it. Progressively, commercialism is surpassing fundamental societal standards that you would certainly anticipate a number of decades earlier.".
Jasper Kim says South Korea's infamously long working hrs have left lots of Korean females feeling lonesome, while the country's technical advance has left numerous people really feeling detached.
" The human aspect of Korean society that existed previously merely doesn't exist today. Individuals are focused on technology, individuals are concentrated on their work, they aren't concentrated on human relationships anymore.
" In numerous means, Korean society today sort of advises me of 1960s culture in the US, where it's on the verge of some sort of social transformation.".
The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that much of the ladies that involve host bars are not paying for sex however, for friendship, which is why he opened up a new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets targeted at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Picture subtitle,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men wish to have visual satisfaction as well as intend to feel things, they're responsive. Ladies like to talk and to listen. Which's why I thought about opening up a bar similar to this - a type of dialogue bar.".
Red Model Bars are various to conventional host bars in one crucial respect - there is a no-touching guideline. Hosts remain on one side of the table, customers on the various other, as well as no physical contact is permitted, and also certainly no sex.
Probably therefore there is a lack of furtiveness amongst individuals that work or drink right here - the lights are reduced, the design mainly dark red as well as the space is divided right into discreet booths, however it is an open-plan room and also consumers and hosts are separated in each cubicle by a huge table.
This new company version depends totally on females paying the matching of hundreds and even hundreds of bucks to talk to fine-looking young males over a beverage. Still, it seems to be working - three brand-new branches are due to open this year.
Sitting at a table at one end of bench was one of their normal consumers, a flower designer called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes right here daily to satisfy her favorite host and also discuss issues she is having at job.
The cost for this piece of male focus is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to friends would certainly be more affordable" she confesses, "yet they do not listen as much. They're busy, and also quickly to speak about themselves. Right here, people will take notice of me as well as they'll pay attention to me.".
" I spend a lot of cash however it's worth it for what I get psychologically. Individuals pay to go to see a psychologist or psychiatrist, so it's similar but much less difficult.".
Nayu's favourite host Sung-il says it can be difficult to keep his personal and also professional life separate.
" Honestly I would certainly be existing if I claim I have not been lured to take points additionally with some customers, since we're human, we're males, but there are regulations.".
Among his consumers yapped to her other half concerning him and when the 3 of them satisfied, Sung-il as well as the partner ended up being close buddies.
" No one hides - the employees don't conceal that they function here, and customers can be open also.".
This openness is positioning a new type of obstacle to South Korean society, different from the often sleazy underworld of standard host bars as well as their hinterland of male prostitution.
By providing females a "decent" way to challenge standard gender functions and bend their financial power, these new bars ask inquiries of Korean culture that are ending up being more challenging to overlook.
Listen to the full record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention via the Radio 4 site or via the Crossing Continents podcast.
The allure of host bars can be subtle. Right here, she says, she has even more attention from her male buddies, more selection and also, crucially, 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 own evaluation.
As well as that's why I assumed of opening a bar like this - a kind of dialogue bar.".
In the dim light of an underground space, a loads perfectly brushed young males stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscle, with shiny boy-band hairstyles, they cram alongside into the narrow room, waiting on us to make our option. Outdoors in the hallway, even more of their coworkers are getting here for one more evening at the workplace. It is 2am, and we are their initial clients.
Concealed under the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the males at Bar 123 become part of an expanding market, which grew out of the lengthy traditions of Japanese geisha and also Korea's kisaeng houses however with one vital distinction - the clients below are all women.
Understood as "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption areas provide women consumers the opportunity to select and also pay for male companions, in some cases at a cost of thousands of pounds an evening.
Among the ladies I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a luxury resort. Once or two times a month, she states she comes to host bars.
Minkyoung is really pretty as well as her garments are spotless. She does not look like someone that would certainly need to pay for male business. But the appeal of host bars can be refined. Here, she says, she has even more attention from her male buddies, more option and also, crucially, even more control.
PROMOTION
" In routine bars the guys who consume with me have just one goal - to have a casual sex. I do not want that, so that's why I come here, I desire to have fun," she states.
Hosts are employed by bars similar to this one to supply friendship as well as entertainment. Officially that suggests putting drinks for their consumers, dancing and chatting with them, and vocal singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially available in many host bars. That would be prohibited yet also Minkyoung seems satisfied to tease as well as touch with her host, as well as the males below approximate that around half the customers wish to spend for sex, either on or off the properties.
James has been working at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean culture, he claims, there is a whole lot of pride and bargaining a cost for sex is never ever done clearly. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host's very own evaluation.
" The men right here are pros - we recognize what we're doing," he says.
" After talking with a woman for a hr we generally understand just how much cash she makes as well as what she provides for a living. We've already evaluated her personality as well as what she wants to provide."
James and also various other hosts state their clients include a few of South Korea's elite, and that the money and also rewards on deal boggle the mind. One customer James satisfied, during his very first week in the work, asked him to sign himself over to her for two years.
" She claimed 'let's make an agreement. I've got this notepad and also I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you make a note of beside those numbers, I'll get you.'".
James states at the time he took it as a joke but since discovered the very same lady spent ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.
" If it occurred currently, I 'd do it - I would certainly be assuming straight.".
Paradoxically maybe, host bars outgrew one of Korea's most entrenched and, some say, misogynist business traditions - the room beauty salon. These are exclusive alcohol consumption rooms where groups of men select, and also are offered by, eye-catching female people hosting.
It was the people hosting' need to let off steam after job, states veteran host Kim Dong-hee, that created the first need for host bars, with all-male team.
성남유흥
These women are required to do points they do not want to do for money.
" I assume a whole lot of them are in discomfort, and also a whole lot feel lonesome. Put simply, they want to acquire our time as well as our bodies.".
Hostesses still comprise a big percentage of the clients at host bars below, however at Bar 123, for instance, as much as 40% of the clients on a provided evening are now from various other profession.
The factors for that growing charm are linked up in South Korea's fast financial surge. Within 50 years, the nation moved from post-war destruction to OECD member.
However, according to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something vital was shed along the method.
" I think that with all this quick development comes rapid adjustment, and also Koreans simply do not understand exactly how to deal with it. Progressively, commercialism is surpassing fundamental societal standards that you would certainly anticipate a number of decades earlier.".
Jasper Kim says South Korea's infamously long working hrs have left lots of Korean females feeling lonesome, while the country's technical advance has left numerous people really feeling detached.
" The human aspect of Korean society that existed previously merely doesn't exist today. Individuals are focused on technology, individuals are concentrated on their work, they aren't concentrated on human relationships anymore.
" In numerous means, Korean society today sort of advises me of 1960s culture in the US, where it's on the verge of some sort of social transformation.".
The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that much of the ladies that involve host bars are not paying for sex however, for friendship, which is why he opened up a new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets targeted at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Picture subtitle,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men wish to have visual satisfaction as well as intend to feel things, they're responsive. Ladies like to talk and to listen. Which's why I thought about opening up a bar similar to this - a type of dialogue bar.".
Red Model Bars are various to conventional host bars in one crucial respect - there is a no-touching guideline. Hosts remain on one side of the table, customers on the various other, as well as no physical contact is permitted, and also certainly no sex.
Probably therefore there is a lack of furtiveness amongst individuals that work or drink right here - the lights are reduced, the design mainly dark red as well as the space is divided right into discreet booths, however it is an open-plan room and also consumers and hosts are separated in each cubicle by a huge table.
This new company version depends totally on females paying the matching of hundreds and even hundreds of bucks to talk to fine-looking young males over a beverage. Still, it seems to be working - three brand-new branches are due to open this year.
Sitting at a table at one end of bench was one of their normal consumers, a flower designer called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes right here daily to satisfy her favorite host and also discuss issues she is having at job.
The cost for this piece of male focus is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to friends would certainly be more affordable" she confesses, "yet they do not listen as much. They're busy, and also quickly to speak about themselves. Right here, people will take notice of me as well as they'll pay attention to me.".
" I spend a lot of cash however it's worth it for what I get psychologically. Individuals pay to go to see a psychologist or psychiatrist, so it's similar but much less difficult.".
Nayu's favourite host Sung-il says it can be difficult to keep his personal and also professional life separate.
" Honestly I would certainly be existing if I claim I have not been lured to take points additionally with some customers, since we're human, we're males, but there are regulations.".
Among his consumers yapped to her other half concerning him and when the 3 of them satisfied, Sung-il as well as the partner ended up being close buddies.
" No one hides - the employees don't conceal that they function here, and customers can be open also.".
This openness is positioning a new type of obstacle to South Korean society, different from the often sleazy underworld of standard host bars as well as their hinterland of male prostitution.
By providing females a "decent" way to challenge standard gender functions and bend their financial power, these new bars ask inquiries of Korean culture that are ending up being more challenging to overlook.
Listen to the full record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention via the Radio 4 site or via the Crossing Continents podcast.
The allure of host bars can be subtle. Right here, she says, she has even more attention from her male buddies, more selection and also, crucially, 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 own evaluation.
As well as that's why I assumed of opening a bar like this - a kind of dialogue bar.".