On Great and Mediocre (S)Hooters

Got this picture from The Lost Nomad, taken from the newly-opened Hooters – ho hum – here in Seoul.

I'm going to spare you, my dear readers, the expected diatribe about women's place in society besides making the singular comment here that points out the perfectly obvious fact that the appeal of the "wild" concept of "hooters" with drinks and over-priced celery sticks should be expected to be completely lost on a country in which you can get a lot more than just perky service and sexual innuendo in any number of "bikini" or "sexy bars" and similar establishments, except with anju and hard liquor.

Hooters seems much more the product of an American culture in which socially accepted consumption of value-added sexual services essentially doesn't exist in public culture, besides the heavily-regulated strip club that is another mainstay of American culture, which is also notably absent, and apparently unmissed, in Korean society.

My point is simply that the low or no-contact nature of American-style sexual services seems out of place in the Korean context, where anything goes – direct, unregulated sexual content can be had in all types of Korean establishments, possibly for not too much more than the tab at an overpriced American chain.

That being said, given the highly gendered nature of almost all the American chain restaurants here in Seoul – go to your average TGI Friday's, Outback, Sizzler, or any other such space and you'll see primarily only groups of women or men with women who are obviously the main reason they are there – Hooters may be a good move, in that there aren't really many places that Korean men can go to as a venue for the conspicuous consumption of American-style "sports bar/family restaurant" culture. And I think that even the more conservative group of Korean salarymen might sick of the large-style "hof" with surly wait staff that are the general norm for Korean places.

So, Hooters seems to be a savvy move to one who might have observed the potential market for American-style, super-saccarine service with a smile and a standardized experience. After all, Korean women have been enjoying that for years, as a place where you "know what you're getting," with the hot bread, Bloomin' Onion, or chicken quesadillas that come consistently and conveniently with a smile. And from a Korean point of view, it's a welcome departure from 골뱅이 or dried squid and nuts. It's a standardized experience that's simply a bit "brighter."

If that's the plan, if that was the marketing strategy, I'd say it might work. Without trying to reproduce the litany of comments made in the mostly-male Korean blogosphere about the seeming inherent contradiction of opening a mammocentric enterprise of large proportions in a country not known to be generally, genetically thusly predisposed, I'll just say that such a niche is certainly open.

But the "hooters" here, given the very different context within which they will find literal exposure, has to offer something pretty particular so as to distinguish itself from the background din of more scantily-clad women working in etablishments with far dimmer lighting catering to darker pleasures.

Which brings me to the politics of this picture, which is my whole point for posting, actually. I don't usually have a lot to say about other people's pictures, but this picture – which I understand to be from the Chosun Ilbo's website, the story link to which is inexplicably down – strikes me as particularly unprofessional and generally poor.

If this is the standard "newspaper shot" of cute ladies that dominates most puff pieces on new establishments, stores, or trends in Korean newspapers, it is a pretty poor one. All the women are looking at another camera, the woman on the far left closed her eyes on the shot, and the facial expressions looked forced even given the inherently forced feeling of their obviously prepped and practiced pose with samples of available menu items.

It looks like a shot from the B-roll, or the shots gleaned from the last seconds of someone else's request for photos. If I were the photo editor at the Chosun, I'd be plenty pissed. It feels to me like someone got to the game late, and either didn't know that this, their best shot, was extremely lame, or were too pressed to get to their complimentary wings to ask the girls to repose, refocus their energies, and "give up just one more smile for the Chosun Ilbo."

Yeah, it's gets progressively harder to get everyone with their eyes open the more people you add to the picture, but come on – it's not that hard if you have wait staff who are making a point to pose for publicity shots. And you can at least have them look at your camera. Shoddy, shoddy photo work, I say.

But as a blog picture done by a non-paid blogger, the shot's fine. I just assume that it came from the Chosun (no photo credit is given) because of its proximity to the link in question and characteristic publicity shot style. It also looks like it was taken with a 28mm lens, which suggests higher-end equipment than your standard point-and-shoot, although the lines between pro and low-end have blurred in recent years. Anyway, if this appeared in the newspaper, it strikes me as a pretty lame shot.

That's what I wanted to say, actually. Damn, I be long-winded.

Here are some photos, taken by Chung Sung-jun/Getty Images, and published in the Orlando Sentinel, of the girls being trained by their American founders. Definitely better photo work there, and definitely working with a 20-24mm lens length.

Obviously made in a single trip, it's not the best work in the world, but it does the job – professionally. And as a photographer, you can't always get the perfect shots within the restraints of the time schedule and the time the company wants to allow you free reign to shoot, but you can at least get the women in the publicity shot to look at your own camera for a shot or five.

Here's the Korea Times' contribution, photo credit to Shim Hyun-chul. Ho-hum. Lots of generally non-distinct, out-of-focus action in the background and, "Oh, look! A white chick!" Pretty sub-standard fare.

Which goes to show you that the best photographers tend to be the ones that are part of groups of good photographers (e.g. Getty, Magnum). It also goes to show that the old adage, "You get what you pay for" is true. Good shots from Getty – pricier than sending a single reporter with a "dica" to grab the amatuerish-looking shot that led off this blog post. Which is why the Orlando Sentinel got better shots than Korean domestic photographers.

All the photographers were Korean; it's just that the good one was sending his pictures to an international picture agency.

As always, the Korea Herald won't allow access to anyone other than "Premium Service" subscribers. Well, in the age of Web 2.0, with blogs and deep linking being the way a lot of content gets passed around, this 1997-era idea that anyone actually cares enough to pay to read old news stories online – unless you're the New York Times and it might actually be lengthy, well-researched, and worth reading – that's a pretty stupid idea.

The Korea Herald gets the real booby prize today for worst (by it being unaccessible and hence, to me, non-existent) picture of them all.

Pun intended.

Comments

[Mark]

Podcast venue.

[The Metropolitician]

Never thought of it that way. My, my. Full of ideas. Am I not Sizzler/Outback/Chilis master?

[seouldout]

I don't think the young-female-diners-ogling-waitresses-in-hot-pants-and-singlets niche exists here. Gone in 18 months.

There's a photo editor at the Chosun?! C'mon.

Contrasting the photos is an interesting topic and a heck of a read. Nice job.

Second Mark's recommendation. Try to get some comments from the diners.

[Mark]

Like Seouldout says, Michael, you've got 18 months, if not less. Just think of it as a sizzler out back with some hot chilis.

Doesn't have to be long...just take one or two people (maybe Matt from Occidentalism if he keeps his word), do a review of the food, and interview a hottie.

[China Law Blog]

I think it will make money in Korea by drawing Koreans AND Americans who do not know Koreans will take them to the more "dimly lit" places. Also, there has been a knock-off Hooters right across from the Westin Chosun that has been thriving for years. At least it was there when I looked out my window a few months ago.

[Cobra II]

Not to get off topic, but I was just wondering whatever happend to King "Lion" Hurt's campaign against the the racist Saracens of KBS. Is it still on going? Or was it just another of his majesty's meaningless tantrums. You know, blowing smoke for the sake of blowing smoke. This loyal subject eager awaits news.

[Iceberg]

Looking at the second photo taken by Chung Sung-jin, it must be encouraging for the restaurant owners to know they'll never have a shortage of Australian beef.

[zup]

what the heck is that?

hookers? hooters? I don't care

but one thing that I am worrying is why do Korean

entrepreneur is trying to mimic US-style biz.

I don't know for sure.

Finally, I am not fond of going there.

Hooter girls remind me of hookers.

Why? I cannot tell in detail. My feelings say like
that

[The Metropolitician]

Again, Cobra II -

I don't know what's funnier – the fact that you castigate me for my "kingly" excesses or vanities on a BLOG, a domain that is inherently personal – or the fact that you apparently keep reading it, returning, and constantly posting on it.

You know, it's just a blog, and if it's one you so obviously detest – along with its owner – I honestly don't see why you keep showing up here. It's not like I run state-owned media or even a column in a local newspaper; a blog such as mine is easily ignored.

I'm a legend in no mind but yours, apparently.

No one is making you a "subject" to anything, nor return to this blog. And your comparing me to some kind of soverieign with delusions of grandeur just doesn't work as a rhetorical device. It's a blog, guy, not a city with one newspaper, TV with three networks, or something where you don't have choices.

Honestly, don't you have anything better to do than troll blogs you obviously hate? It's your choice to visit and irritate all you'd like, but don't you have anything better to do? In the end, at least I'm writing a blog, making podcasts – producing something and putting it out into the world. And what are you? Merely a troll in it? One who apparently keeps coming back for more.

You're like one of those people who complains about "trash TV" and how stupid American viewers have gotten, but then show up every morning at 10 to watch Jerry Springer with your bowl of Lucky Charms cereal, dirty t-shirt, and boxers.

If you don't like the channel, then turn it off. Don't be one of the most prolific (if irritating) posters on the blog you apparently love to hate.

So please take this opportunity to kindly fuck off if you'd like. The Mighty and Motherfuckin' Majestic King Mike III has spoken.

And to your one real piece of content/question, the petition is serving its function and I plan to print it at the end of January and walk it into KBS in person.

[Sir Wankfellows]

Sir Michael, if thoughst permits to do so, I shall excommunicate this heretic and plunge him to the murky bowels of dragon's lair!

Begone!

All I ask for in return is a few gold pieces and a date with your daughter...if you would be so kind Your Excellency.

[Sir Wankfellows]

Sir Michael, if thoughst permits to do so, I shall excommunicate this heretic and plunge him to the murky bowels of dragon's lair!

Begone!

All I ask for in return is a few gold pieces and a date with your daughter...if you would be so kind Your Excellency.

[Nomad]

The link to the Chosun's picture I used is still good, complete with the small blurb underneath. That's all there was, no accompanying story that day.

Nomad

[The Metropolitician]

When King Tee Sir-Mix-a-Lot Macking Michael does a daughter beget, she shall indeed be betrothed to thee, fine Sir!

Consider several of my finest gold shekels and most precious, peculiar trinkets already given over to the custody of your most trusted vassals, and stay in good stead this good night!

And let us hasten to lop off that venomous snake's head so that we might still his foul and deceptive tongue!

Sir, I applaud you!

[Mark]

Swass!

[mike mcstay]

just a question, where exactly is Hooters located at in Seoul. I live in Daejeon and would love to see it.

thanks for all help.

[Mark]

Gangnam, Apgujeong station, exit 3 or 4?

[Cobra II]

The end of January you say. Okay, thanks. Because I recall you saying that you were going to storm up to KBS a little over a month ago when this whole incident first erupted. All your syncophants and this "hater" are no doubt interested to see how this all turns out.

Who would've thought that being mercurial and self-absorbed could be so amusing. Only you man. Only you. Congrats and good luck!!

[The Metropolitician]

Well, the Daum online petition was going until the end of January, and I though I would keep it open until then. And the power of the petition isn't only in printing it up – I am pretty sure from looking at my server logs that someone there has seen or heard of it. And if they haven't, they will when I print this up and walk it down there around the end of the month.

And it still perplexes me that you are interested in how this turns out, along with my "syncophants." Dude, you seem to so truly hate this blog, and you think it's self-absorbed – ahem, it is a blog, which does make it a somewhat personal take on the issues, yet despite that fact, I don't really talk about myself all that much at all – why are you here?

And I don't get why you're so on the case of this blog in the first place. Blogs are inherently personal, self-interested, and usually revolve around the writer. That's what a blog is. Mine, in trying to deal with some actual issues in society, is actually less so.

So what's your deal? Are you so pathetic that you have nothing better to do than be a blog troll? There are a lot of blogs and sites I don't like or that piss me off, just because they're stupid or uninteresting to me. So I don't go to them.

It's like poking a bruise, dude. All you have to do is stop.

Again, don't let the door hit your ass on the way to the "back" button.

[Mark]

Hooters in Korea, will definatly be a hit. Especially in Seoul. This whole country revolves around the the far off chance that the male may get lucky with one of theese ladies. Just look at all the LOVE hotels around.