Fancy an erotic massage (and maybe more) on your travels in Seoul?!
As prostitution is illegal in South Korea, the sex industry in Seoul is as creative as other Asian (and Western) capitals. Especially when it comes to creating legitimate shop fronts for illicit activities. Brothels in Seoul that masquerade as massage parlours are as common as in places like Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
In this guide, we take a look at erotic massage in Seoul (or anma), including known venues, neighbourhood hotspots, typical services, pricing, and more.
Adult Massage Parlours in Seoul
Happy Endings in Seoul (And South Korea)
Also known as anma, navigating the world of massage in South Korea is a lot like any other country. There are places where massage is advertised but is either a body treatment spa or sports masseur.
You have to ensure that you visit the right places to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself or your attendant.
The key to finding a massage parlour that provides extra service is to look for the giveaway barber poles (red/white/blue stripes). In this instance, a single pole is likely to be a rub and tug only with two poles potentially offering full service.
Alternatively, if you are having trouble finding a suitable place then ask the locals for a tukitang (which is a rub and tug massage).
Massage For Foreigners
There are some places in Seoul that don’t service foreigners and this is usually a case that the girls don’t speak English rather than xenophobia. Such places generally have signs (in English) on their doors stating that non-Koreans are not welcome.
Don’t take this personally, just find somewhere that will take your money.
There is some stigma attached to being foreign in certain areas and with certain classes of Koreans but it’s a given that you can get lucky in the parlours in the red-light areas around the US army bases. Hooker Hill is a good place to start (explored in the video below).
Read more: our look at South Korea’s red light districts.
Whether you get served or not, take our advice and don’t cause any kind or trouble. Many places have bouncers and some are linked to the South Korean mafia so it’s advisable to keep your nose clean.
As a last resort but not the most ‘authentic’ of experiences, you can employ the services of an escort who will visit you at your hotel to provide a massage.
What Does A Happy Ending Cost?
As with anywhere, it really depends on where you go and what kind of service you are hoping for. In addition, the fees charged to locals will invariably be lower than ‘tourist’ rates. There are some budget places as well as some top-end parlours with the best-looking girls working for them.
As a general guide, you can expect to pay in the region of 50,000-100,000 KRW ($45-$90) which will include a massage (of sorts) and full service. However, you can get a rub and tug at some places for just $30.
And lastly, there are a couple of high-end places where massage can cost as much as 250,000 KRW ($220) but these generally don’t service foreigners.
AMP Hot Spots In The City
Seoul is a big city and the massage scene varies from district to district.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect to find (and where).
Gangnam
Gangnam is a wealthy district in southern Seoul, is known for its slightly more upscale adult entertainment.
Here you’ll find the infamous “anma” (안마) parlors – massage establishments that are often known for being more like inner-city brothels.
One high profile example (that we believe is now closed) was Belle Massage.
Most of the time, Anma in Gangnam operate discreetly out of office buildings (Belle was in a commercial basement). Some have extravagantly luxury facilities and extensive “full package” services (typically including nude body-to-body massage, manual relief, and often full intercourse).
Most AMPs cater to affluent Korean clientele, and many do not welcome foreigners.
The ambiance is plush and private – more like an exclusive spa – and prices are correspondingly steep. In fact, the “going rate” at premium Gangnam massage parlours was around ₩170,000 in cash (₩190,000 on a card) as far back as 2009, and remains in that range or higher today for a standard session of roughly an hour.
In this part of Seoul, any establishment with “안마” on the sign is probably going to be an adult establishment. They usually operate late into the night (some 24 hours). If you see a building in Gangnam with black-tinted windows and a subtle sign like “Spa Hera Anma,” chances are, you’re looking at an AMP.
Itaewon & Yongsan
Itaewon in Yongsan-gu is much more openly foreigner-friendly.
In fact, Itaewon is Seoul’s international neighborhood, long associated with expat nightlife and the US military presence. Here you won’t find the classic anma houses, but you will encounter a variety of massage businesses – from legitimate Thai massage clinics to shady late-night parlours where extras are clearly on the menu.
One notorious area of Itaewon is “Hooker Hill” (mentioned above)… basically a steep alley behind the main street filled with hostess bars and brothels, and now also popular with the trans scene.
If you spot a menu mentioning a “Special Massage”, that usually implies a sexual service on top of the massage.
This area is also home to Superman Spa, a well-known gay men’s massage spa, Superman caters to men seeking erotic massage by male therapists, but there are no options for straight visitors (that we know of).
Scattered along Itaewon’s streets are small massage shops advertising everything from foot reflexology to “sports massage.” Many of these are legitimate therapy spots (and great for a foot rub or back relief after travel!). However, some do provide happy endings. Look for late opening hours and mentions of ‘special’ or ‘extra’ services.
Prices in this area are reasonable: a standard one-hour massage is often ₩50,000–₩80,000. But expect to tip around ₩50,000 for any extras (and more to go beyond a basic rub and tug).
Myeongdong & Central Seoul
As a busy tourist hub, Myeongdong is filled with signs for “Massage” or “Spa,” with staff handing out flyers in English, Chinese, and Japanese.
We see parlours mentioned with names like “Hikari Massage,” “Happy Massage,” and “Tiffany Massage”.
These appear to be affiliated shops (possibly run by the same company) clustered in the neighborhood’s central lanes. They don’t have the greatest of reps, with some dodgy reviews and a track record of upselling hard. YMMV.
Generally speaking, if it’s advertised on a flyer and shoved into your hand, you’re probably going to get scalped or ripped off.
Yeongdeungpo
Finally, on the grittier end of the spectrum, we have Yeongdeungpo, a district in southwestern Seoul, historically known for its red-light zone often dubbed “Capital Alley.” This area (near Yeongdeungpo Station) used to be one of the city’s most notorious concentrations of brothels.
Yeongdeungpo’s alleyway brothels – thinly disguised as barber shops or massage parlours – still operate after dark, but they are regularly subject to crackdowns and closures.
Typically, you’ll see small rooms with neon lights; women (often older, 40s-50s) sit behind glass or stand in doorways to attract passing Johns. Services are usually straightforward and quick: a brief massage (or sometimes just a token backrub) followed by happy ending (oral sex or intercourse) in a shabby partitioned room. It’s a far cry from a luxury spa.
The term “이발소 안마” (barber shop massage) is associated with these places – barbershops with double barber poles spinning outside are a known code for sex services in Korea.
Unsurprisingly, prices here are notably cheaper than elsewhere.
Punters could buy sex in these districts for as little as ₩70,000 even in recent years. A common rate is in the ₩80,000–100,000 range for one session. A quick 20-minute “room massage” might be ₩80k (with just manual/oral service) or ₩100k for full service.
How To Identify Adult Massage Parlours in Seoul
It goes without saying, you don’t want to stumble into any old massage shop asking for extras and happy endings. The wise punter does his research beforehand… to avoid embarrassment, for all parties.
Here are some tell-tale signs and terminology to help you identify adult massage venues in Seoul:
안마” vs “마사지”
In Korean, 안마 (anma) and 마사지 both mean massage. However, on signage “안마” almost always implies a sexual massage parlour.
Rotating Barber Poles
If you see the red/white/blue poles spinning and windows blocked out, it’s not just a haircut inside.
Red or Pink Lighting
The universal colour of sex. 😉
Many adult establishments use coloured lighting in their windows or signage. Legit spas are usually brightly lit or have a calming white/blue aesthetic, not a lurid glow. And they’ll certainly go out of their way to avoid the reputation of a neon-lit spa.
Late Hours
Most genuine massage clinics close by 10pm or so. If a place advertises 24-hour service or is open past midnight, it’s likely catering to punters who have been on the sauce in the local nightlife spots.
“Special Course”
As mentioned, the word “특별 (special)” on a service menu is often code for sexual extras. Other euphemisms include “휴식 (rest)”, “미까지” (slang meaning “to the end”), or English phrases like happy massage. We’ve actually seen some shops with signage saying “happy ending massage“, which hardly leaves ANY doubt about the services provided.
Prices Too High (or Too Low)
Oddly, both extremes can signal adult services. Very high (₩150k+ per hour) suggests you’re paying not just for massage but the illicit premium. Suspiciously cheap offers (₩20k per hour) usually means a bait-and-switch, especially in tourist zones.
Just Read The Reviews
The biggest giveaway of all. You can read reviews on Reddit, Google or TripAdvisor and find telltale hints of special services or extras. Oh, and is every single customer a male? That’s probably a hint, too!
Just remember: while these establishments exist and are used often, mostly without any incident, prostitution is illegal throughout Seoul.
Getting caught with your pants down is never a good look, and it can happen – as several forum sob stories attest!
