South Korea's rapid financial growth has actually indicated some surprising changes within its conventional social framework, including the increase of so-called host bars, where affluent ladies pay the matching of hundreds of dollars for male firm.
In the dim light of a basement, a lots perfectly brushed boys kneel in rows, calling out their names.
Muscular, with glossy boy-band hairdos, they pack alongside into the narrow room, waiting on us to make our selection. Outdoors in the hallway, more of their associates are getting here for one more night at work. It is 2am, and we are their first clients.
Hidden under the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the males at Bar 123 become part of a growing market, which outgrew the long traditions of Japanese geisha and Korea's kisaeng houses however with one essential distinction - the consumers below are all ladies.
Called "host bars", these all-night drinking rooms offer women customers the chance to select as well as pay for male companions, occasionally at an expense of hundreds of pounds a night.
Among the females I fulfill at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a luxury resort. Once or two times a month, she says she comes to host bars.
The attraction of host bars can be refined. Right here, she states, she has more focus from her male friends, even more selection and, most importantly, even more control.
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" In regular bars the individuals who consume with me have just one objective - to have an one-night stand. However I do not want that, so that's why I come right here, I desire to have a good time," she states.
성남노래방
Hosts are employed by bars similar to this one to give friendship and entertainment. Formally that suggests putting beverages for their clients, dancing and chatting with them, and singing karaoke.
Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not officially available in the majority of host bars. That would be illegal but also Minkyoung seems happy to tease and touch with her host, as well as the men right here estimate that around half the clients want to pay for sex, either on or off the properties.
James has actually been operating at Bar 123 for a number of years. In Korean culture, he claims, there is a great deal of satisfaction and discussing a rate for sex is never ever done explicitly. Instead, he informs me, it is all down to the host's very own evaluation.
" The guys below are pros - we understand what we're doing," he states.
" After speaking to a lady for a hr we essentially know just how much cash she makes as well as what she does for a living. We've currently evaluated her personality and also what she wants to give."
James and other hosts state their customers include several of South Korea's elite, which the cash as well as perks on offer boggle the mind. One client James satisfied, throughout his initial week in the job, asked him to sign himself over to her for two years.
" She claimed 'let's make a contract. I've obtained this piece of paper as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you list beside those numbers, I'll obtain you.'".
James claims at the time he took it as a joke but considering that located out the very same female spent ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on one more host.
" If it happened now, I would certainly do it - I would certainly be believing straight.".
Ironically probably, host bars grew out of one of Korea's most entrenched and, some claim, misogynist business customs - the room beauty salon. These are personal alcohol consumption rooms where groups of males pick, and are offered by, appealing women hostesses.
It was the people hosting' requirement to allow off heavy steam after work, claims veteran host Kim Dong-hee, that developed the first demand for host bars, with all-male team.
" What these people hosting desire is to [make us] do the same thing they needed to perform in their very own work environment. These women are required to do points they do not wish to do for money.
" I believe a lot of them are in discomfort, and also a great deal really feel lonesome. Simply placed, they wish to buy our time and also our bodies.".
People hosting still make up a huge portion of the consumers at host bars right here, yet at Bar 123, as an example, up to 40% of the customers on an offered evening are currently from other profession.
The reasons for that expanding allure are locked up in South Korea's fast economic surge. Within 50 years, the country changed from post-war destruction to OECD participant.
But, according to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something important was shed along the road.
" I believe that with all this quick development comes quick modification, and also Koreans simply don't know exactly how to handle it. Significantly, industrialism is overtaking basic societal standards that you would expect a number of decades ago.".
Jasper Kim says South Korea's infamously lengthy working hrs have left numerous Korean females feeling lonely, while the nation's technical development has actually left many individuals really feeling detached.
" The human component of Korean society that existed previously just doesn't exist today. People are concentrated on technology, people are concentrated on their work, they aren't concentrated on human relations any longer.
" In lots of methods, Korean culture today type of advises me of 1960s society in the United States, where it's on the verge of some kind of cultural transformation.".
The grandfather 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 however, for companionship, which is why he opened a brand-new chain of freshly-marketed electrical outlets intended at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars.
Red Model Bar hosts.
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Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch customers.
" Men desire to have visual pleasure and intend to really feel points, they're responsive. Females like to chat and to pay attention. And also that's why I thought about opening up a bar like this - a kind of dialogue bar.".
Red Model Bars are different to typical host bars in one essential regard - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts remain on one side of the table, consumers on the various other, as well as no physical contact is allowed, as well as absolutely no sex.
Probably consequently there is an absence of furtiveness amongst individuals who work or consume alcohol right here - the lights are reduced, the decor primarily dark red as well as the space is divided right into discreet cubicles, however it is an open-plan area as well as clients and hosts are split in each booth by a large table.
This new company version depends completely on ladies paying the equivalent of hundreds and even thousands of dollars to talk with good-looking young guys over a beverage. Still, it seems to be functioning - 3 new branches are due to open this year.
Resting at a table at one end of the bar was just one of their regular clients, a flower designer called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes below every day to fulfill her favorite host and review issues she is having at work.
The rate for this piece of male focus is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to buddies would certainly be more affordable" she confesses, "but they don't listen as much. They're hectic, and also quickly to speak about themselves. Right here, individuals will certainly take notice of me as well as they'll pay attention to me.".
" I spend a lot of cash yet it deserves it for what I get mentally. Individuals pay to go to see a psycho therapist or psychiatrist, so it's similar yet much less stressful.".
Nayu's preferred host Sung-il states it can be hard to keep his expert as well as individual life separate.
" Honestly I 'd be lying if I state I have not been tempted to take points additionally with some clients, due to the fact that we're human, we're men, however there are regulations.".
Among his clients yapped to her hubby regarding him and also when the three of them satisfied, Sung-il and also the other half became friends.
" No one conceals - the employees don't conceal that they function here, and consumers can be open also.".
This openness is positioning a new sort of obstacle to South Korean culture, various from the sometimes shabby abyss of standard host bars and their hinterland of male hooking.
By providing ladies a "commendable" method to test conventional gender functions and flex their financial power, these brand-new bars ask inquiries of Korean culture that are becoming harder to neglect.
Listen to the full report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can listen by means of the Radio 4 internet site or using the Crossing Continents podcast.
The appeal of host bars can be subtle. Right here, she says, she has more interest from her male friends, even more choice 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 own analysis.
As well as that's why I thought of opening a bar like this - a kind of dialogue bar.".
