Based on the paucity of information about South Korea/Seoul here to date, and the mistaken character of some of what there was, it seems like a beginner's guide might be in order. What follows is intended as a sort of quick-start manual; more detailed posts on some of the indiviudal topics will follow.
In General
Given South Korea's location in Asia, many assume that it is the same or substantially similar to other Asian mongering destinations. Those who do, especially if they have some experience in, and expectations founded on, places like LOS and the Phils, will be very disappointed.
While once comparable to such places, SK has developed dramatically over the past 15 years; it is now in any given year, and depending on the previaling exchange rate, the 10th - 12th largest economy in the world. Consequently, there are, relatively-speaking, far fewer providers, especially those who cater to "wayguk-saram" (foreigners), the SPs who are active are driven by more complex economic motives and prices are much higher - comparable even to stateside.
This trend has been excaerbated by widespread property re-development, that has eliminated or dramatically reduced the number and size of what used to be some of the largest RLDs in the world; and the downsizing and PC anti-sex crusades of the US military, which similarly have resulted in the diminution of the number and size of US bases in Korera, the resultant elimination, reduction and enhanced policing of the brothel districts in the "'villes" that were/are located nearby and the consequent reduction in the number of foreign SPs (usually Phils, but also some Viets, Thais and even Russians) that worked in the 'ville clubs.
At the same time, the total size of the sex industry in South Korea has probably remained constant or even increased in size - even ROKGOV acknowledges that it's a huge industry with an annual "output" greater than that of the domestic forestry. fishery and agricultural sectors combined (!)(which some civic and feminist organizations claim is a gross underestimate (!!)). But by far most of it is targeted at the domestic clientele and, with the significant exception of the big-spending Japanese and other Asians, is more or less only readily accessible to foreigners at the margins.
Venues
1.
RLDs. Most of the old, famous RLDs still exist, but they now are quite small compared to 15-20 years ago. This is especially true of the RLDs north of the River Han that bisects Seoul: Cheongnyangni (near the major train station of the same name in Eastern Seoul), Miari (formerly aka Texas Town, in the central northeast of Seoul) and Yongsan (near the train station of the same name in the central southwest of the city). Where once there were several square blocks of "glass houses" in each, i.e., upwards of 200 separate venues), now there are at best a couple of short blocks. At Yongsan, they are still passably decent-looking digs, but the other two are very rundown and dodgy. Both Cheongnyangni and Yongsan also are still patrolled by Korean gangsters, who control most of the action - although they seem most active at Cheonho, another RLD in the southeast across the Cheonho Bridge, which nowadays seems to have the best pickings. Another RLD is in Yeungdongpo, central on the south side of the river, but it's in an old low-end industrial district, and is particularly unappealing, especially for foreigners. In fact, with the exception of some shops in Miari and the "B-Row" in Yongsan, none of the RLDs is generally foreigner-friendly, and the odds are decidedly against foreigners having a good time, especially in the "A" row", unless you've got a local wingman - and even then you'll probably be getting the dregs. Also very little, if any, English spoken.
2.
DBPs. You've probably never heard of this category before. "DBP" refers to double barber pole and denotes ostensible barber shops where extras are on the menu from the in-shop "manicurist/masseuse". These providers are generally more or less well into MILF land and, besides more or less competent massage services, offer extras ranging from happy endings through BBBJ to BBFS/CFS. Usually accessible to foreigners (if you're willing to navigate the language barrier).
3.
Saunas. Korea has a thriving sauna culture; it's an indoor version of the Japanese onsen culture. Most is "legitimate", but even some of the otherwise legitimate venues offer "extras". This is especially true of the men's saunas in 3 and 4 star hotels, where "happy endings" are routine, and even BBBJ can sometimes be had, as the climax of a massage. Generally accessible to foreigners, although at some hotels there is a decided preference for other Asian clients.
4.
"Anma" [ 안마 ]. "Anma" is the Korean designation for massage. There are hundreds of anmas in Seoul, and most offer a combination of sauna and legitimate massage (usually by blind masseuses who have preferential access to massage licenses). Some also offer full brothel services, either with or without the sauna and massage. Some are like
very upscale versions of AMPs in the US, and the sauna is non-existent and the massage consists of a b2b table shower. Unfortunately, most are effectively off-limits to foreigners, although there are notable exceptions, and some that generally won't take foreigners will accept foreigners vouched for by a local wingman. Always charge a premium to foreigners.
5.
BJ, HJ and Kiss Rooms. Another category of provider establishment in Korea consists of limited menu venues. These range from so-called Kiss Rooms, through handjob parlors to blowjob emporiums. Often they are located in university districts, where the providers are moonlighting college students. If you're OK with the limited menu, the providers are usually amenable to foreign custom - although you might find yourself giving impromptu English lessons.
6.
"Officetels". Officetel is the local name for what are essentially larger buildings of studio and two room apartments the developers of which took advantage of loopholes in the relevant regulations to sell them as residential rather than commercial units. As a result of the demise of the RLDs (see above), and the LEO pressure of several years ago that contributed to it and to the temporary downsizing of other venues such as anmas and room salons (see below), a lot of providers simply started doing business where they lived. Some speculative real estate investors also found a way to earn a return on their holdings when turn-over sales were slow by turning them into mini-brothels or renting them to those who would. Not particularly foreigner-friendly, although there are exceptions (again local wingman helps); the problem is finding them if you don't know the local language or have a specific recommendation.
7.
Room Salons. Room Salons come in 2 major varieties.
The first are more or less upscale drinking clubs where groups of men book a private room to drink, perhaps sing karoake, and get serviced by hostesses. The in-room service consists of getting your drinks poured, playing drinking and other relatively silly games, cuddling and a little groping. Afterwards, provided you've spent enough on (the breathtakingy overpriced drinks and snack plates, you may get an opportunity to spend more on your chosen partner for FS in an offsite love hotel (which may actually be attached to the room salon). Evenings in these places can easily run KRW500-1,000K PER HEAD - or more, for the especially high-end ones - all in. Consequently, most people only see these places when they're invited out on someone else's corporate entertainment credit card. Foreigners generally are not welcome except as part of a Korean-led group; even, where they are, language will be a big barrier.
The second category is generally the same, but more downmarket. The distinguishing feature is that the action commences (and may finish) in the room, after the girls have started things off at some point by putting on a strip show and then giving their designated hitters opening blow-jobs. As you can imagine,
de facto orgies are not uncommon in this setting. Take-out also generally is available. Sadly, these sorts of places seem to be in decline - again partly as a result of real estate development (that wiped out one entire section just next to City Hall(!) and LEO (one civil servant was apprehended on a tip from an enemy in one such place with his pants down). One such area does still exist, but I haven't been there in years, so can't vouch for the nature and quality of the service nowadays. Also far from cheap, but much less expensive than the high end places - generally KRW200K per capita for the drinks, etc, and KRW100-200K for the girl - and much more amenable to foriegners; but again language will be a fairly big problem, unless you have a KOrean-speaking wingman, especially to negotiate the fees up-front, so there are no misunderstanding with the organized crime sponsors of these places.
8.
The 'Ville aka Itaewon.
The "'ville" (deriving its name from the shanty towns that grew up outside US military bases in the past) in Itaewon (the largest "foreigner" district in Seoul (located in the south central part of the city north of the River Han) is the premiere mongering destination for foreigners. Sadly, as noted in my previous post, it is a shadow of its former self.
Although it too has "suffered" from rampant redevelopment, and the US Military's increasing intolerance of certain activities when on leave, so-called "Hooker Hill" in Itaewon still has a fair number of "juicy bars" and bar-brothels that cater to foreigners.
Itaewon "high street" also has a number of "juicy bars" or "white man's room salons", which are rather similar to the high end room salons, although they generally don't have private rooms and you can go solo if you want. You can drop a lot of bank on expensive drinks that may or may not get you a take-away prize (for which you will have to pay extra) at the end of the (long) night. They basically work the drinky game, and you can expect to pay at least ~KRW200K if you find a prospective provider with whom you'd like a shot at taking out with you afterwards for the usual (for an extra ~KRW200K - not a bar fine (that was the drinks bill), but the provider service fee.
The bar-brothels also play the drinky game, but on a much more economical level and the action, which is a certainty, usually starts after the first drink. These are really small bars with one or more providers, who generally provide on-premises service (although take-out also usually is available). The best play is to buy one lady drink (~KRW20K) to get a little time to suss out the situation and decide if you want to continue. If so, best to then negotiate a package deal, unless you like getting importuned for another drink every 10-15 minutes (or less). The usual routine is to get asked to buy a lady drink (~KRW20K) after which at some point you will be asked if you want to have fun. The uninitiated or the really stupid will continue to buy drinks (in the ~KRW20K-50K range) while "having fun", in which case you can end up with a bad case of whiskey dick and an empty wallet. The clever will negotiate a price upfront. Prices are all over the place. KRW300K will generally get you a full hour of non-rushed service, including BBBJ, BB or C FS and a COF or CIM finish, from a very attractive girl; KRW70-100K will get lesser quality service from a lesser quality girl.
You can find a detailed map to the Hooker Hill venues here courtesy of the USFK Provost Marshal's office (our tax dollars at work!):
http://www.usfk.mil/usfk/Uploads/33...aps01June09.pdf.
Hooker Hill proper is the alley/street that runs uphill to left the first block after the intersection but, as you can see from the map, there also are various options on the larger uphill street. Sundays and M-Th weekday evenings/nights are better because slower and less trafficked than Friday and Saturday nights, and the SPs won't have one eye on the clock and be in such a hurry to get you over and done with in order to clear the decks for other potential customers. Most places are open by 8 give or take (some earlier), and most are lights on until 6-7 in the morning
The "juicy bars" are on the second floors (sometimes basements) on the main street shown on the map and are easily recognized when you're in the neighborhood
I'll try to provide some provider/site specific reports in the near future.
Mongering in Seoul - The Quick Guide
