Locate out even more about women-only host bars in Gangnam, Korea South Korea''s quick economic growth has indicated some shocking modifications within its traditional social structure, including the increase of so-called host bars, where well-off women pay the matching of hundreds of dollars for male business.

In the dim light of an underground room, a loads completely brushed boys kneel in rows, calling out their names.

Muscle, with shiny boy-band hairdos, they stuff side by side right into the slim room, awaiting us to make our selection. Outside in the hallway, even more of their associates are showing up for another evening at the office. It is 2am, and also we are their initial customers.

Surprise under the pavements of Seoul''s ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the men at Bar 123 are component of an expanding market, which grew out of the long traditions of Japanese geisha and also Korea''s kisaeng residences but with one critical difference - the clients below are all ladies.

Referred to as "host bars", these all-night drinking areas use female customers the possibility to pay and also choose for male buddies, in some cases at a price of hundreds of extra pounds an evening.

One of the women I satisfy at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing supervisor for a luxury resort. She states she concerns host bars one or two times a month.



Minkyoung is very rather and her clothes are immaculate. She does not look like a person that would require to pay for male company. However the allure of host bars can be refined. Here, she states, she has more attention from her male companions, even more choice as well as, most importantly, even more control.
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" In routine bars the people that consume with me have just one objective - to have a casual sex. I don''t desire that, so that''s why I come here, I desire to have enjoyable," she says.

Hosts are hired by bars similar to this one to supply friendship as well as enjoyment. Formally that implies pouring drinks for their customers, speaking and dancing with them, and vocal singing karaoke.

Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not formally on deal in most host bars. That would be illegal but even Minkyoung seems happy to flirt and touch with her host, and also the guys right here approximate that around half the clients wish to spend for sex, either on or off the facilities.

James has actually been functioning at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean society, he says, there is a great deal of satisfaction as well as negotiating a cost for sex is never ever done explicitly. Instead, he informs me, it is all down to the host''s own assessment.

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

" After talking with a woman for an hour we basically recognize exactly how much cash she makes as well as what she provides for a living. We''ve already evaluated her character and also what she''s prepared to offer."

James and also other hosts claim their consumers consist of several of South Korea''s elite, and that the money and also rewards on offer boggle the mind. One client James met, throughout his initial week in the task, asked him to authorize himself over to her for 2 years.

" She stated ''let''s make an agreement. I''ve got this item of paper and also I''ve numbered it 1-5. Whatever you list beside those numbers, I''ll obtain you.''".

James states at the time he took it as a joke but given that learnt the same lady spent ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on an additional host. 정자노래방

" If it happened now, I would certainly do it - I would certainly be believing straight.".

Ironically possibly, host bars outgrew one of Korea''s most entrenched as well as, some state, misogynist business practices - the room hair salon. These are exclusive alcohol consumption areas where groups of men choose, as well as are served by, eye-catching female hostesses.

It was the people hosting'' requirement to allow off vapor after job, says professional host Kim Dong-hee, that created the initial demand for host bars, with all-male staff.

These women are compelled to do things they don''t desire to do for money.

" I believe a great deal of them are in discomfort, and also a whole lot feel lonely. Put simply, they intend to buy our time and also our bodies.".

Hostesses still compose a large percent of the customers at host bars below, but at Bar 123, for instance, up to 40% of the customers on a provided evening are currently from various other profession.

The factors for that expanding charm are tied up in South Korea''s quick economic increase. Within 50 years, the nation shifted from post-war devastation to OECD participant.

However, according to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something crucial was shed along the means.

" I assume that with all this rapid development comes fast modification, and also Koreans just do not recognize exactly how to cope with it. Significantly, industrialism is overtaking fundamental societal standards that you would anticipate a pair of years ago.".

Jasper Kim says South Korea''s infamously long functioning hrs have actually left many Korean females really feeling lonesome, while the nation''s technological advancement has actually left lots of individuals really feeling detached.

" The human aspect of Korean culture that existed in the past simply does not exist today. People are concentrated on innovation, people are concentrated on their jobs, they aren''t focused on human connections any longer.

" In numerous means, Korean culture today type of advises me of 1960s society in the US, where it''s on the brink of some sort of cultural change.".

The grandpa of Seoul''s host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that most of the females who involve host bars are not paying for sex but also for friendship, which is why he opened up a brand-new chain of freshly-marketed outlets intended at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.

Red Model Bar hosts.
Picture caption,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch clients.
" Men want to have visual satisfaction and intend to feel points, they''re tactile. Females like to chat and to listen. Which''s why I considered opening up a bar similar to this - a kind of discussion bar.".

Red Model Bars are various to traditional host bars in one essential respect - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts rest on one side of the table, consumers on the various other, as well as no physical contact is allowed, and also definitely no sex.

Perhaps therefore there is an absence of furtiveness amongst the individuals that work or consume below - the lights are low, the decoration mainly dark red as well as the room is separated right into discreet cubicles, however it is an open-plan room and hosts and also clients are separated in each cubicle by a large table.

This new company model depends totally on females paying the equivalent of hundreds or perhaps thousands of dollars to chat to attractive young guys over a drink. Still, it seems to be functioning - 3 brand-new branches are due to open this year.

Resting at a table at one end of the bar was one of their regular clients, a florist called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes below on a daily basis to satisfy her favourite host as well as go over issues she is having at work.

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

" Talking to close friends would certainly be more affordable" she admits, "however they do not pay attention as much. They''re busy, and in a hurry to chat regarding themselves. Right here, people will take notice of me as well as they''ll pay attention to me.".

" I invest a great deal of money yet it''s worth it for what I get psychologically. Individuals pay to go to see a psychologist or psychiatrist, so it''s comparable yet less difficult.".

Nayu''s favourite host Sung-il claims it can be hard to maintain his individual and also expert life separate.

" Honestly I would certainly be lying if I state I have not been attracted to take things additionally with some customers, due to the fact that we''re human, we''re guys, yet there are rules.".

One of his clients yapped to her hubby regarding him as well as when the three of them satisfied, Sung-il and the partner ended up being close pals.

" No one hides - the employees don''t conceal that they function below, as well as customers can be open too.".

This openness is positioning a new type of challenge to South Korean society, different from the sometimes sleazy abyss of typical host bars and their hinterland of male prostitution.

By supplying females a "reputable" way to challenge standard gender roles and also bend their financial power, these new bars ask concerns of Korean culture that are ending up being tougher to disregard.

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


The attraction of host bars can be subtle. Below, she claims, she has more focus from her male buddies, more selection and also, crucially, even more control.
James has actually been functioning at Bar 123 for a couple of years. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host''s very own assessment.

As well as that''s why I thought of opening a bar like this - a kind of discussion bar.".