South Korea's fast economic advancement has suggested some stunning adjustments within its traditional social framework, consisting of the rise of so-called host bars, where wealthy women pay the equivalent of thousands of dollars for male firm.
In the dark light of a basement, a dozen flawlessly groomed boys stoop in rows, calling out their names.
Muscle, with glossy boy-band hairdos, they stuff side-by-side right into the narrow room, awaiting us to make our choice. Outdoors in the corridor, more of their associates are getting here for an additional evening at job. It is 2am, as well as we are their initial customers.
Hidden under the sidewalks of Seoul's ritziest postal code, Gangnam, the males at Bar 123 belong to a growing sector, which outgrew the lengthy traditions of Japanese geisha and also Korea's kisaeng houses however with one essential difference - the clients here are all females.
Referred to as "host bars", these all-night alcohol consumption rooms offer female clients the possibility to pay and also select for male buddies, occasionally at a cost of thousands of extra pounds an evening.
Among the women I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a five-star hotel. When or two times a month, she states she comes to host bars.
The attraction of host bars can be refined. Below, she says, she has even more focus from her male companions, even more option as well as, most importantly, more control.
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" In normal bars the guys that drink with me have only one goal - to have a casual sex. Yet I do not want that, so that's why I come right here, I wish to have a good time," she states.
Hosts are employed by bars such as this one to supply companionship and enjoyment. Officially that implies putting drinks for their customers, dancing and also speaking with them, and vocal singing karaoke.
분당노래방 Host bar in Seoul
Sex is not formally on offer in many host bars. That would certainly be unlawful however also Minkyoung seems happy to touch and tease with her host, and the men right here approximate that around half the clients intend to spend for sex, either on or off the facilities.
James has actually been operating at Bar 123 for a couple of years. In Korean culture, he claims, there is a great deal of pride and also discussing a price for sex is never ever done explicitly. Rather, he tells me, it is all down to the host's very own assessment.
" The people right here are pros - we understand what we're doing," he says.
" After speaking to a woman for a hr we essentially recognize just how much cash she makes as well as what she does for a living. We've currently analysed her individuality and also what she's eager to give."
James and also other hosts claim their customers include some of South Korea's elite, as well as that the money and perks available boggle the mind. One customer James fulfilled, during his initial week in the work, asked him to sign himself over to her for 2 years.
" She stated 'let's make a contract. I've got this notepad as well as I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you list beside those numbers, I'll get you.'".
James claims at the time he took it as a joke but considering that figured out the very same female invested ₤ 60,000 ($ 97,000) on an additional host.
" If it happened now, I would certainly do it - I would certainly be thinking straight.".
Paradoxically probably, host bars outgrew one of Korea's most entrenched and, some state, misogynist organization customs - the room hair salon. These are personal alcohol consumption spaces where groups of men pick, and are offered by, eye-catching women people hosting.
It was the people hosting' need to allow off steam after work, claims professional host Kim Dong-hee, that produced the initial need for host bars, with all-male team.
These girls are compelled to do points they don't desire to do for cash.
" I believe a whole lot of them are in discomfort, as well as a great deal really feel lonely. Simply put, they wish to purchase our time and also our bodies.".
Hostesses still make up a big percent of the clients at host bars right here, but at Bar 123, for instance, approximately 40% of the customers on a given evening are currently from various other walks of life.
The reasons for that expanding allure are locked up in South Korea's rapid economic rise. Within 50 years, the nation changed from post-war devastation to OECD member.
According to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something essential was lost along the way.
" I assume that with all this quick growth comes fast modification, and also Koreans just don't know how to cope with it. Progressively, capitalism is surpassing fundamental societal norms that you would certainly anticipate a number of decades back.".
Jasper Kim states South Korea's notoriously lengthy working hrs have actually left lots of Korean females really feeling lonely, while the nation's technical advancement has left lots of people really feeling separated.
" The human aspect of Korean culture that existed before merely doesn't exist today. Individuals are focused on innovation, people are concentrated on their work, they aren't concentrated on human relations any longer.
" In numerous ways, Korean society today type of reminds me of 1960s culture in the United States, where it's on the brink of some type of social revolution.".
The grandfather of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, concurs that a lot of the women who involve host bars are not paying for sex but also for friendship, 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.
Picture caption,.
Hosts at Red Model Bars can not touch customers.
" Men wish to have aesthetic satisfaction as well as wish to really feel points, they're responsive. Women like to speak and also to listen. Which's why I considered opening up a bar similar to this - a type of discussion bar.".
Red Model Bars are various to typical host bars in one vital respect - there is a no-touching policy. Hosts rest on one side of the table, customers on the various other, and no physical call is permitted, and definitely no sex.
Perhaps because of this there is an absence of furtiveness amongst individuals that function or consume here - the lights are reduced, the decor generally dark red and also the space is split into very discreet booths, yet it is an open-plan area and clients and hosts are divided in each booth by a large table.
This new organization model depends entirely on females paying the equivalent of hundreds or even countless bucks to talk with attractive boys over a drink. Still, it seems to be functioning - 3 new branches result from open this year.
Sitting at a table at one end of the bar was just one of their routine customers, a flower shop called Kim Nayu. She informs me she comes below on a daily basis to satisfy her favourite host and also go over issues she is having at work.
The rate for this piece of male focus is $487-650 (₤ 300-400) a day.
" Talking to pals would certainly be less costly" she confesses, "however they don't pay attention as much. They're hectic, and also quickly to talk regarding themselves. Below, people will pay interest to me and they'll listen to me.".
" I spend a whole lot of money but it's worth it for what I get psychologically. Individuals pay to head to see a psychologist or psychoanalyst, so it's similar however less difficult.".
Nayu's favourite host Sung-il states it can be tough to maintain his individual and also specialist life different.
" Honestly I 'd be existing if I say I haven't been tempted to take things even more with some clients, due to the fact that we're human, we're males, yet there are regulations.".
One of his clients talked a whole lot to her spouse regarding him and when the three of them fulfilled, Sung-il and the spouse ended up being buddies.
" No one hides - the employees do not hide that they work here, as well as customers can be open too.".
This visibility is presenting a brand-new sort of difficulty to South Korean culture, various from the occasionally seedy underworld of conventional host bars and their hinterland of male prostitution.
By offering females a "respectable" means to challenge typical gender duties as well as flex their economic power, these new bars ask inquiries of Korean society that are becoming more challenging to ignore.
Hear the full report on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents. You can pay attention via the Radio 4 web site or by means of the Crossing Continents podcast.
The attraction of host bars can be refined. Here, she claims, she has more focus from her male companions, even more option and, most importantly, even more control.
James has actually been working at Bar 123 for a pair of years. Instead, he informs me, it is all down to the host's very own evaluation.
And that's why I believed of opening up a bar like this - a kind of dialogue bar.".