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I think it's a matter of cultural tolerance. Since at least the 14th century or so, Korea took a strong Confucianist line and placed women at the bottom of the ladder (of course, Confucianism doesn't tell you to take advantage of people, but it is clear about social rankings, etc.). Thus, having concubines or women on the side is still considered here to be almost 'unavoidable' and even chic. But the caveat is always this:
You must still be a very good husband and father. A man who wrecks his family, say, by running away with his mistress is considered a low-life dirt bag. But a man who goes and gets 'a massage' or has a little something on the side without making it obvious is certainly tolerated.
In this context, the 'girl as entertainer' isn't quite the bleak one we have in the U.S. Yes, I used to see the pros on the streets of L.A. all the time as I drove around the city. Scary. Very scary. I also saw the conditions in SE Asia. Even scarier! The closest you could find to the Korean case in the U.S. is out in Nevada at the state-sanctioned brothels. But those are way the hell out in BFE. These things in Korea are literally on the way home.
You must still be a very good husband and father. A man who wrecks his family, say, by running away with his mistress is considered a low-life dirt bag. But a man who goes and gets 'a massage' or has a little something on the side without making it obvious is certainly tolerated.
In this context, the 'girl as entertainer' isn't quite the bleak one we have in the U.S. Yes, I used to see the pros on the streets of L.A. all the time as I drove around the city. Scary. Very scary. I also saw the conditions in SE Asia. Even scarier! The closest you could find to the Korean case in the U.S. is out in Nevada at the state-sanctioned brothels. But those are way the hell out in BFE. These things in Korea are literally on the way home.
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