Day 223 – September 3, 2011

Love motels, such as this one, are a common sight in Korea. They exist for exactly what the name would suggest. Short stays are the name of the game here, and the internal decor is typically sexually charged. I’ve even heard of love motels that featured vending machines stocked with various types of “toys”. Because the vast majority of Koreans live with their families until they get married and move in together, young couples typically have no place to go to get some time alone. Enter the love motel. Young couples aren’t the only patrons of these seedy establishments, however. Most love motels have drapes covering the entrance to their parking garages, presumably to protect the identity of the people inside from the prying eyes of anyone who may be looking for a familiar car or license plate. Often tacky, many love motels will be modeled after castles, will be excessively flashy or will contain no windows. Sometimes all of the above. They are a somewhat taboo subject in the country, with many people choosing to ignore, rather than acknowledge their existence.