Learn even more about women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea South Korea's fast economic growth has actually meant some shocking modifications within its conservative social structure, including the increase of so-called host bars, where wealthy females pay the equivalent of thousands of dollars for male firm.

In the dark light of an underground room, a dozen perfectly brushed boys stoop in rows, calling out their names.

Muscle, with shiny boy-band hairdos, they cram side-by-side into the narrow area, awaiting us to make our selection. Outdoors in the passage, more of their coworkers are showing up for another night at work. It is 2am, and we are their initial consumers.

Hidden under the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the guys at Bar 123 are part of an expanding industry, which expanded out of the lengthy customs of Japanese geisha as well as Korea's kisaeng residences but with one important distinction - the customers below are all ladies.

Referred to as "host bars", these all-night drinking spaces supply female customers the opportunity to pay and choose for male buddies, often at a cost of hundreds of extra pounds a night.

One of the women I satisfy at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a first-class hotel. She says she pertains to host bars one or two times a month.


The allure of host bars can be subtle. Below, she claims, she has even more focus from her male companions, even more option as well as, crucially, more control.
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" In routine bars the people that consume alcohol with me have only one objective - to have a casual sex. I don't want that, so that's why I come here, I want to have enjoyable," she claims.

Hosts are employed by bars such as this one to offer friendship and also amusement. Officially that indicates putting drinks for their consumers, chatting and dancing with them, and also vocal singing karaoke.

Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially available in a lot of host bars. That would be unlawful however also Minkyoung seems delighted to flirt as well as touch with her host, and also the guys right here estimate that around half the customers intend to spend for sex, either on or off the premises.

James has been working at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean society, he states, there is a great deal of satisfaction as well as negotiating a rate for sex is never done clearly. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host's own assessment.

" The individuals here are pros - we understand what we're doing," he says.

" After speaking with a girl for a hr we essentially recognize just how much cash she makes and also what she does for a living. We've already evaluated her individuality as well as what she agrees to provide."

James and various other hosts state their customers include several of South Korea's elite, which the cash as well as advantages on deal boggle the mind. One customer James fulfilled, during his initial week in the task, asked him to authorize himself over to her for two years.

" She stated 'let's make an agreement. I've got this item of paper and I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you make a note of next to those numbers, I'll get you.'".

James claims at the time he took it as a joke yet considering that learnt the very same woman invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on another host. 분당룸

" If it took place currently, I would certainly do it - I would certainly be believing straight.".

Actually possibly, host bars grew out of among Korea's most entrenched and, some claim, misogynist service customs - the space salon. These are personal drinking areas where teams of men choose, as well as are served by, appealing women people hosting.

It was the hostesses' requirement to allow off vapor after work, states expert host Kim Dong-hee, that created the preliminary need for host bars, with all-male team.

These girls are required to do points they don't want to do for money.

" I assume a great deal of them are in pain, and a lot feel lonesome. Put simply, they want to get our time and our bodies.".

Hostesses still comprise a large percentage of the customers at host bars right here, but at Bar 123, as an example, as much as 40% of the consumers on an offered night are now from various other profession.

The factors for that expanding charm are linked up in South Korea's fast economic surge. Within 50 years, the country 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 way.

" I believe that with all this rapid development comes rapid change, as well as Koreans just don't recognize exactly how to manage it. Progressively, commercialism is overtaking standard societal standards that you would certainly anticipate a number of years earlier.".

Jasper Kim claims South Korea's notoriously long working hours have left lots of Korean females feeling lonely, while the nation's technical development has left lots of people feeling separated.

" The human aspect of Korean society that existed previously simply does not exist today. People are concentrated on innovation, individuals are concentrated on their jobs, they aren't concentrated on human relations anymore.

" In several means, Korean society today kind of reminds me of 1960s culture in the US, where it's on the edge of some sort of cultural revolution.".

The grandpa of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that a lot of the females who come to host bars are not spending for sex but also for friendship, which is why he opened a brand-new chain of freshly-marketed outlets focused on the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.

Red Model Bar hosts.
Picture subtitle,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch customers.
" Men intend to have aesthetic pleasure as well as intend to feel things, they're responsive. Ladies like to speak as well as to listen. And that's why I thought of opening up a bar such as this - a type of discussion bar.".

Red Model Bars are different to standard host bars in one essential regard - there is a no-touching policy. Hosts rest on one side of the table, customers on the various other, and no physical get in touch with is allowed, and definitely no sex.

Maybe as a result there is an absence of furtiveness amongst individuals who function or consume right here - the lights are reduced, the decoration mostly dark red and also the area is divided into very discreet booths, but it is an open-plan space and also hosts as well as clients are separated in each booth by a big table.

This brand-new business model depends completely on women paying the matching of hundreds or also thousands of dollars to chat to attractive young males over a drink. Still, it appears to be functioning - 3 new branches are due to open this year.

Sitting at a table at one end of the bar was just one of their normal clients, a flower designer called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes below everyday to meet her favourite host and also discuss issues she is contending work.

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

" Talking to pals would certainly be more affordable" she confesses, "yet they do not pay attention as much. They're hectic, as well as in a hurry to chat regarding themselves. Below, people will certainly take note of me as well as they'll listen to me.".

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

Nayu's favourite host Sung-il says it can be tough to keep his expert and also individual life separate.

" Honestly I would certainly be existing if I claim I haven't been attracted to take things better with some customers, due to the fact that we're human, we're men, however there are policies.".

One of his customers yapped to her spouse about him as well as when the three of them satisfied, Sung-il as well as the partner became friends.

" No one conceals - the workers don't hide that they work right here, as well as consumers can be open as well.".

This openness is positioning a new kind of difficulty to South Korean culture, various from the in some cases shabby abyss of conventional host bars as well as their hinterland of male prostitution.

By offering women a "respectable" way to challenge traditional gender roles and also bend their financial power, these brand-new bars ask questions of Korean culture that are becoming harder to neglect.

Listen to the full record on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention by means of the Radio 4 web site or via the Crossing Continents podcast.


The appeal of host bars can be subtle. Right here, she says, she has more attention from her male buddies, more selection and, most importantly, even more control.
James has actually been functioning at Bar 123 for a couple of years. Rather, he informs me, it is all down to the host's very own evaluation.


As well as that's why I assumed of opening up a bar like this - a kind of dialogue bar.".