Minor Homelessness and Prostitution Issues
A culture called 'Toyoko Kids,' referring to runaway youths who earn money through homelessness and prostitution in Kabukicho, Tokyo's entertainment district, is also emerging in Korea.
'Toyoko Kids' is a newly coined term combining the first character 'To' from Toho Cinemas, a famous Japanese franchise movie theater, the Japanese word 'yoko' meaning 'next to,' and the English word 'kids.' Mainly active in Tokyo's Shinjuku entertainment district, 'Toyoko Kids' have become a social issue in Japan since the 2020s, along with a new term 'Jiroe-kei,' which refers to their fashion style characterized by mostly black monotone clothes and platform boots.
On the 11th, a video titled "Hongdae Jirwegae, Life of Runaway Youth in 2023" was uploaded on the YouTube channel 'Kakwong'. This video features interviews with middle school girls earning money near Hongdae Entrance Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul. [Photo by YouTube channel 'Kakwong']
On the 11th, a video titled "Hongdae Jiroe-kei, Life of Runaway Youths in 2023" was uploaded on the YouTube channel 'Kakwong.' The video featured interviews with middle school girls near Hongdae Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul, who earn money.
'Jiroe-kei' is originally a Japanese fashion neologism meaning "a girl like a landmine that explodes when stepped on." It refers to those who appear pretty on the outside but show unstable mental states, impulsiveness, and dangerous behavior.
16-year-old A, who participated in the interview, revealed that she has been involved in "arranged meetings" for three months. She described her daily life as "waking up after eating warm soybean paste stew made by my mom, self-harming, getting dressed, and putting on makeup," then added, "After that, we all gather and shoot TikTok videos while hanging out."
A, who wants to become famous and receive attention, said, "I fought with my mom, poured water on her (I went to the police station), and posted a bragging tweet. I have ADHD, bipolar disorder, and various other mental illnesses."
Having experienced running away from home, A confidently stated, "I met men and earned money. I wasn't punished. I'm invincible because I'm a middle school girl. I meet them through apps and disclose that I'm a minor. I get about 350,000 won for 30 minutes."
Along with Ms. A, Ms. B, who also participated in the interview, revealed that she has been living this way for a year. Ms. B added, "There are even people who like me because I am a minor," and stated, "I am the minor who recently received an electronic cigarette and dated an adult man amid the controversy." [Photo by YouTube channel 'Kagwang']
She continued, "My parents know everything, and I earn a lot of money because it's dangerous. I don't do (arranged meetings) often, so I make about 1.5 million won a month."
Along with A, B, who also participated in the interview, said she has lived this lifestyle for a year. B added, "Some people actually like it when I say I'm a minor," and revealed, "I am the minor who recently dated an adult man after receiving an electronic cigarette, which caused controversy."
They expressed an attitude that "even a chubby person becomes 'oppa' if given money, and even a grandfather is not a grandfather," showing that money makes everything possible. When asked if they could earn money in other ways, A replied, "Money doesn't come easily."
Future aspiration: "A woman who orders champagne while paying expensive money at a host bar"
The two drew the line, saying, "This is my life," in response to the advice, "Don't live like this." However, they also showed some hesitation, saying, "We reflected on life during the interview," and "We will consider not engaging in sex work and focusing only on fashion." [Photo by YouTube channel 'Kagwang']
Regarding how she got into Jiroe-kei, A explained, "I heard that Jiroe-kei is a fashion for mentally ill people, so I thought I could fit in if that's the case." B said she got into it because a bag she bought on Bungaejangter was 'mass-produced' Jiroe-kei fashion.
When asked about her future aspiration, A answered, "A woman who orders champagne while paying expensive money at a host bar." When asked if this was just adolescent nonsense, she honestly admitted, "I think so."
Additionally, A said, "I will keep dating and receiving money until a woman's effectiveness disappears," but also revealed her unstable mental state by saying, "If I earn about 5 million won a month, I will stop this lifestyle. Should I just quit everything? Should I clear everything and live a new life? Should I catch a rich man and marry beautifully? I should become a nurse and marry a doctor."
When advised "Don't live like this," both drew a line by saying, "It's my life." However, they also showed some hesitation by saying, "While doing this interview, we reflected on our lives," and "We will consider only doing fashion without prostitution."
Meanwhile, A and B first met on Twitter. They mainly stay around Exit 6 of Hongdae, in the Gyeongui Line Book Street, which is called 'Menhera Park.'
Here, 'Menhera' is a Japanese neologism referring to people who appear to have poor mental health. It mainly describes groups with dark pasts such as domestic violence and bullying, who engage in self-destructive behavior and crave affection from others.
Menhera culture started in Japan and flowed into Korea, but some adults who exploit mentally troubled youths target 'Menhera youths' for crimes. In online communities like the 'Depression Gallery,' which recently caused major controversies over sexual exploitation, it is not difficult to find posts such as "I want to meet a pretty Menhera girl with severe affection deficiency."
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