Kisses for 2,000 Won, Daily Girlfriend for 110,000 Won... What Chinese Women Are Selling at Street Stalls

Mixed Reactions from Netizens on the Service
'Rental Girlfriend' Has Been Popular in Japan for Several Years

Netizens are fiercely debating the 'girlfriend-for-hire' service in the form of street stalls that have appeared in the heart of a major Chinese city. On the 29th, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that numerous girlfriend-for-hire stalls offering paid hourly dates, hugs, kisses, and more have recently appeared on the streets of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.

The street vendor-style "girlfriend agency" service that has appeared in the heart of a major Chinese city is sparking heated debate among netizens. On the 29th, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that numerous girlfriend agency stalls offering paid hourly dates, hugs, and kisses have recently appeared on the streets of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.
[Photo by Baidu]

At an actual subway station in Shenzhen, a young woman set up a street stall with a sign that read, "Hug for 1 yuan (about 190 won), kiss for 10 yuan (1,900 won), watching a movie together for 15 yuan (2,850 won)." Another woman installed a booth in a plaza with a price list stating, "Helping with housework for 20 yuan (3,800 won), drinking together for 40 yuan (7,600 won) per hour." In Dali, a tourist spot in Yunnan Province, a woman displayed a sign saying, "Daytime lover for 600 yuan (114,000 won)" and wrote, "Sexual relations are not allowed, but I can provide warm care such as dining together, hugging, and kissing."

SCMP reported, "These street 'girlfriends' sell hugs, kisses, and more to young men who neither have the time nor the ability to form serious relationships," adding, "The time-consuming pressures of work and family responsibilities are leading young people in China to purchase emotional human connections from street stalls."

Next to a subway station in Shenzhen, a young woman set up a street stall with a sign that read, "Hug for 1 yuan (about 190 won), kiss for 10 yuan (1900 won), watch a movie together for 15 yuan (2850 won)." [Photo by Baidu]

Chinese netizens' opinions were sharply divided. Some defended the stalls, saying, "There is no problem since both customers and women act voluntarily," "A great opportunity to meet interesting people," and "Perhaps a truly necessary service for both men and women." On the other hand, criticisms included, "An act that undermines women's dignity," "How is this different from prostitution?" and "Trying to earn a few bucks could lead to serious crimes."

A legal expert expressed concerns about women's safety. He Bo, a lawyer at Sichuan Hongqi Law Firm, told SCMP, "The girlfriend-for-hire service operates outside the regulatory framework of existing laws but risks degenerating into prostitution," and added, "Young people should be guided to find other healthy ways to satisfy their social and emotional needs."

Will the 'Rental Girlfriend' Trend Popular in China and Japan Catch On in Korea?

Not only in China but also in Japan, services renting people have been popular for several years. They can be easily booked through mobile apps. Profiles containing photos, age, height, blood type, residence, occupation, hobbies, and more are posted, with popularity rankings based on recognition. The 'rental girlfriend' service, where one spends time dating like a real partner, costs about 50,000 to 100,000 won per hour, with an additional approximately 30,000 won charged for each extra hour. Transportation costs are separate. Clients can specifically choose the appearance or preferences of their desired girlfriend, but physical contact between men and women is prohibited.

The 'rental girlfriend' service, where you spend time together on dates as if with a real partner, costs about 50,000 to 100,000 KRW per hour, with an additional charge of about 30,000 KRW for each extra hour. Transportation fees are separate. Clients can specifically choose the appearance or preferences of their desired girlfriend, but physical contact between men and women is prohibited.
[Photo by YouTube]

Asking for personal contact information or dating at lodging facilities or homes is also forbidden. Japanese broadcasts and YouTube easily show people using this service. A woman who was having a lunchbox date in a park chatting affectionately said, "The service is over. The 6-hour date fee is 33,000 yen (about 300,000 won)" when the agreed time ended.

The rental girlfriend service in Japan is related to the social atmosphere. As of 2020, the lifetime unmarried rate for men (the proportion of men who have never married by age 50) reached 28.3%. With the economy stuck in long-term low growth and wages barely rising, Japanese men have given up on dating and marriage. Recently, a Japanese government survey revealed that 4 out of 10 single men in their 20s and 30s have never had a romantic partner.

Meanwhile, recently in Korea, a controversial job posting appeared seeking a woman to go cherry blossom viewing during the blooming season. Around April, a post titled "Looking for a cherry blossom date day part-timer" was uploaded on the office worker community Blind. The poster wrote, "I want to have a meal with someone of the opposite sex on a day when cherry blossoms bloom at least once in my life, so I am posting this job ad," and added, "Looking for a female part-timer to go cherry blossom dating on one day between April 6 and 7 around the Han River and Yeouido area in Seoul." The pay was 20,000 won per hour for 8 hours, totaling 160,000 won per day. The poster also suggested signing an electronic employment contract and offered pick-up and drop-off services.