Another reason why domi is popular is because of the price. It can be cheaper to have a domi service than to go to the club. When in a Korean club, most people will reserve a table and bye a few bottles of alcohol. Whereas with domi, you pay $120 for two hours and then you’re done hanging out. The domi services open up a new type of business. The domi actually commoditized hanging out with a guy. Now, instead of having to “spit game” at a girl, you can simply pay for a girl to act like she’s interested in you.
The domi services actually hurt Asian Americans and the K-town economy. Now, I know what you are all thinking, how does domi hurt the economy of K-town? The answer is simple really. Instead of having to waste time and trying to have a girl hang out with you in the club, one can simply go to a karaoke place and pay for a girl. My friends tell me that it’s cheaper to hire a domi than to go clubbing and try to get a girl to go to a karaoke place with you. Since this service has now become more popular among the Korean guys, the clubs are hurt as not a lot of people go anymore, although in some clubs there are a lot more ladies than guys, but that story is for another time.
How does domi service hurt the society? Simple, it reinforces the stereotype of how Asian women should be. It reinstates it even within the Asian racial group as well. With the degrading of Asian women within the same racial group, it will be harder for the Asian women to rise above the sexist views the men have. This kind of disservice that is available can also make it seem OK to treat Asian women like a domi. As an outsider looking into what domis do it may seem that the Asian women are OK with it, when in fact they are not but have no other alternative.
Written by Joshua Chung