Figure out even more concerning women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea

South Korea's fast economic development has actually suggested some surprising modifications within its conventional social structure, including the surge of so-called host bars, where rich ladies pay the matching of thousands of dollars for male company.
In the dark light of an underground room, a dozen completely groomed boys stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscular, with shiny boy-band hairstyles, they cram side by side into the narrow room, awaiting us to make our choice. Outside in the passage, more of their coworkers are showing up for one more evening at job. It is 2am, and also we are their first consumers.
Hidden below the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the men at Bar 123 become part of an expanding industry, which outgrew the lengthy traditions of Japanese geisha as well as Korea's kisaeng residences but with one critical difference - the customers right here are all ladies.
Known as "host bars", these all-night drinking areas offer women consumers the opportunity to pick as well as pay for male buddies, occasionally at a price of hundreds of extra pounds a night.
Among the females I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a first-class hotel. She claims she comes to host bars when or two times a month.
The appeal of host bars can be subtle. Right here, she says, she has more attention from her male friends, even more choice as well as, crucially, more control.
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" In routine bars the individuals who consume with me have just one goal - to have an one-night stand. But I don't desire that, to make sure that's why I come here, I wish to have fun," she states.
Hosts are employed by bars like this one to supply companionship and amusement. Officially that implies pouring drinks for their customers, chatting and also dancing with them, and singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially available in many host bars. That would certainly be prohibited yet even Minkyoung seems delighted to touch and flirt with her host, as well as the males below approximate that around half the customers want to pay for sex, either on or off the properties.
James has actually been working at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean culture, he claims, there is a great deal of satisfaction and also discussing a rate for sex is never done clearly. Rather, he tells me, it is all down to the host's own analysis.
" The individuals below are pros - we understand what we're doing," he says.
" After speaking to a girl for a hr we essentially know just how much cash she makes and also what she does for a living. We've currently evaluated her individuality and what she wants to provide."
James as well as various other hosts claim their clients consist of several of South Korea's elite, as well as that the money as well as rewards on deal are astounding. One customer James satisfied, during his very first week in the work, asked him to sign himself over to her for 2 years.
" She stated 'allow's make an agreement. I've obtained this notepad as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you list next to those numbers, I'll obtain you.'".
James claims at the time he took it as a joke yet given that learnt the exact same lady invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.
" If it happened currently, I  would certainly do it - I  would certainly be thinking straight.".
Paradoxically probably, host bars outgrew among Korea's most entrenched as well as, some state, misogynist business practices - the room beauty salon. These are personal drinking areas where groups of males pick, and also are offered by, eye-catching women hostesses.
It was the hostesses' requirement to let off vapor after work, states professional host Kim Dong-hee, that created the initial need for host bars, with all-male team.
These women are compelled to do things they do not desire to do for cash.
" I think a great deal of them are in pain, as well as a whole lot really feel lonesome. Basically, they desire to get our time and also our bodies.".
People hosting still make up a huge percent of the customers at host bars right here, however at Bar 123, as an example, up to 40% of the customers on an offered evening are currently from various other profession.
The factors for that growing appeal are bound in South Korea's rapid economic increase. Within 50 years, the nation moved from post-war destruction to OECD member.
Yet, 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 rapid change, as well as Koreans simply do not know just how to manage it. Increasingly, industrialism is overtaking standard societal norms that you would expect a pair of decades ago.".
Jasper Kim says South Korea's notoriously lengthy functioning hours have left numerous Korean females really feeling lonely, while the nation's technical advance has left many individuals really feeling detached.
" The human element of Korean culture that existed in the past simply doesn't exist today. People are focused on modern technology, individuals are concentrated on their work, they aren't focused on human relations any longer.
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" In numerous ways, Korean culture today type of reminds me of 1960s culture in the United States, where it's on the verge of some sort of social change.".
The grandfather of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that most of the females who come to host bars are not spending for sex however, for friendship, which is why he opened a brand-new chain of freshly-marketed outlets aimed at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Photo inscription,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch customers.
" Men wish to have visual satisfaction as well as intend to really feel things, they're tactile. Women like to chat as well as to pay attention. And that's why I considered opening a bar similar to this - a kind of discussion bar.".
Red Model Bars are different to typical host bars in one crucial respect - there is a no-touching policy. Hosts rest on one side of the table, consumers on the other, as well as no physical contact is allowed, and also certainly no sex.
Probably as an outcome there is an absence of furtiveness amongst the people that function or drink right here - the lights are low, the style mainly dark red as well as the space is separated right into discreet booths, but it is an open-plan room and hosts and also customers are divided in each booth by a large table.
This new company design depends totally on women paying the matching of hundreds and even hundreds of bucks to speak with attractive boys over a drink. Still, it seems to be working - 3 new branches are because of open this year.
Sitting at a table at one end of the bar was among their normal consumers, a flower designer called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes right here everyday to satisfy her preferred host as well as go over issues she is having at work.
The cost for this slice of male interest is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to pals would certainly be less expensive" she admits, "but they don't listen as much. They're hectic, as well as in a rush to speak regarding themselves. Right here, individuals will pay attention to me and also they'll listen to me.".
" I spend a great deal of money yet it deserves it for what I get mentally. People pay to visit see a psychologist or psychoanalyst, so it's similar however less difficult.".
Nayu's favorite host Sung-il says it can be hard to keep his specialist as well as personal life different.
" Honestly I  would certainly be lying if I say I haven't been lured to take things further with some customers, due to the fact that we're human, we're men, however there are guidelines.".
One of his consumers yapped to her partner concerning him as well as when the 3 of them fulfilled, Sung-il and the partner ended up being friends.
" No one hides - the workers do not hide that they work right here, and also consumers can be open also.".
This visibility is presenting a brand-new kind of difficulty to South Korean culture, various from the often seedy abyss of traditional host bars as well as their hinterland of male hooking.
By offering women a "reputable" method to challenge standard gender functions and flex their financial power, these new bars ask concerns of Korean society that are becoming tougher to overlook.
Hear the full report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention through the Radio 4 internet site or by means of the Crossing Continents podcast.
The allure of host bars can be subtle. Here, she says, she has more focus from her male friends, even more selection and also, most importantly, more control.

James has been working at Bar 123 for a couple of years. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host's very own analysis.
As well as that's why I assumed of opening up a bar like this - a kind of dialogue bar.".