Figure out even more regarding women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea South Korea''s quick financial advancement has actually suggested some shocking modifications within its traditional social structure, including the increase of supposed host bars, where wealthy females pay the matching of hundreds of bucks for male firm.
In the dim light of a basement, a dozen completely groomed young males kneel in rows, calling out their names.
Muscular, with glossy boy-band hairstyles, they pack side by side right into the narrow space, waiting on us to make our selection. Outdoors in the corridor, more of their associates are getting here for another night at the office. It is 2am, and we are their first customers.
Hidden under the sidewalks of Seoul''s ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the guys at Bar 123 belong to an expanding market, which grew out of the long practices of Japanese geisha and also Korea''s kisaeng homes however with one crucial distinction - the consumers here are all females.
Referred to as "host bars", these all-night drinking spaces supply female customers the chance to choose and pay for male buddies, often at a price of hundreds of pounds a night.
One of the women I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a luxury resort. She says she pertains to host bars one or two times a month.
The allure of host bars can be subtle. Below, she says, she has even more interest from her male buddies, even more option as well as, most importantly, more control.
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" In regular bars the people that consume alcohol with me have just one objective - to have an one-night stand. Yet I don''t want that, so that''s why I come below, I wish to have a good time," she says.
Hosts are employed by bars like this one to supply companionship as well as home entertainment. Formally that suggests pouring beverages for their clients, dancing and talking with them, and vocal singing karaoke.
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Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not formally on deal in the majority of host bars. That would certainly be unlawful but even Minkyoung seems pleased to touch as well as tease with her host, and also the males here estimate that around half the consumers wish to pay for sex, either on or off the properties.
James has actually been functioning at Bar 123 for a pair of years. In Korean society, he says, there is a great deal of pride and also negotiating a price for sex is never done explicitly. Instead, he tells me, it is all to the host''s own assessment.
" The men below are pros - we understand what we''re doing," he says.
" After talking with a lady for a hr we basically understand just how much money she makes and also what she provides for a living. We''ve currently analysed her character and what she''s prepared to give."
James and other hosts state their clients consist of some of South Korea''s elite, which the cash as well as rewards available are extraordinary. One customer James fulfilled, during his initial week in the job, asked him to sign himself over to her for two years.
" She said ''let''s make an agreement. I''ve obtained this paper and I''ve numbered it 1-5. Whatever you list alongside those numbers, I''ll obtain you.''".
James claims at the time he took it as a joke but given that figured out the very same woman invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on another host.
" If it occurred currently, I ''d do it - I ''d be assuming straight.".
Ironically probably, host bars outgrew among Korea''s most established and, some say, misogynist service traditions - the area beauty parlor. These are exclusive alcohol consumption rooms where groups of men pick, as well as are offered by, eye-catching women people hosting.
It was the people hosting'' need to allow off heavy steam after work, states professional host Kim Dong-hee, that produced the initial need for host bars, with all-male staff.
" What these hostesses want is to [make us] do the same point they had to carry out in their very own workplace. These girls are compelled to do things they don''t wish to provide for cash.
" I believe a great deal of them are in discomfort, as well as a whole lot feel lonely. Put simply, they wish to buy our time as well as our bodies.".
Hostesses still compose a big portion of the clients at host bars below, however at Bar 123, for instance, approximately 40% of the consumers on an offered evening are currently from various other profession.
The factors for that expanding allure are bound in South Korea''s quick financial increase. Within 50 years, the country changed from post-war devastation to OECD member.
According to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something crucial was lost along the method.
" I assume that with all this rapid growth comes rapid change, as well as Koreans simply don''t understand how to manage it. Significantly, commercialism is overtaking fundamental social norms that you would anticipate a couple of years back.".
Jasper Kim claims South Korea''s infamously lengthy working hrs have left many Korean females really feeling lonesome, while the country''s technical breakthrough has left lots of people feeling removed.
" The human aspect of Korean culture that existed before simply doesn''t exist today. People are concentrated on innovation, individuals are concentrated on their jobs, they aren''t concentrated on human relationships any longer.
" In several means, Korean society today kind of reminds me of 1960s society in the United States, where it''s on the verge of some kind of social transformation.".
The grandpa of Seoul''s host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that much of the females that concern host bars are not paying for sex but also for companionship, which is why he opened up a brand-new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets focused on the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
Photo inscription,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men wish to have aesthetic pleasure as well as intend to feel things, they''re responsive. Women like to chat and also to pay attention. And also that''s why I thought about opening up a bar such as this - a type of dialogue bar.".
Red Model Bars are different to typical host bars in one essential respect - there is a no-touching regulation. Hosts rest on one side of the table, clients on the various other, and no physical get in touch with is allowed, as well as absolutely no sex.
Perhaps therefore there is an absence of furtiveness among individuals that function or consume right here - the lights are low, the decoration primarily dark red and the space is separated right into very discreet booths, but it is an open-plan area as well as hosts and customers are split in each cubicle by a huge table.
This new company design depends completely on ladies paying the matching of hundreds or even countless dollars to speak to fine-looking young males over a beverage. Still, it appears to be functioning - three new branches are due to open this year.
Sitting at a table at one end of the bar was just one of their routine consumers, a flower shop called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes right here daily to satisfy her favorite host as well as go over concerns she is contending job.
The cost for this piece of male attention is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to good friends would certainly be less costly" she confesses, "however they don''t listen as much. They''re busy, and quickly to speak about themselves. Right here, individuals will pay attention to me as well as they''ll pay attention to me.".
" I spend a great deal of money however it deserves it for what I obtain emotionally. People pay to head to see a psychologist or psychiatrist, so it''s comparable but less stressful.".
Nayu''s favorite host Sung-il states it can be tough to maintain his personal and professional life separate.
" Honestly I would certainly be lying if I state I haven''t been attracted to take things better with some consumers, due to the fact that we''re human, we''re men, yet there are regulations.".
Among his customers yapped to her husband concerning him and when the three of them met, Sung-il and also the partner became friends.
" No one conceals - the employees don''t conceal that they work below, and also clients can be open too.".
This openness is presenting a new kind of obstacle to South Korean society, various from the sometimes seedy underworld of typical host bars and their hinterland of male hooking.
By using ladies a "decent" means to test traditional sex duties and also flex their financial power, these brand-new bars ask questions of Korean society that are becoming more challenging to overlook.
Hear the full record on BBC Radio 4''s Crossing Continents. You can listen through the Radio 4 site or by means of the Crossing Continents podcast.

The allure of host bars can be refined. Here, she states, she has even more focus from her male friends, even more selection as well as, most importantly, more control.
James has been working at Bar 123 for a couple of years. Rather, he tells me, it is all down to the host''s very own analysis.
As well as that''s why I thought of opening up a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".