It's really a case by case thing.  Some of the k-girls I've seen are definitely independents; but some seemed like they were obligated.  Many of those girls are not really "tricked" into this business; rather, they are in real need of money, usually family debt - in Asia it is common for the daughter to assume the responsibility of repaying the parents' debt.  They often own money to the loan sharks and are coerced into the business.  There are pimps in Korea that select the hotter girls for 'export" since they are able to bring in much more money overseas than back in Korea.  These pimps are part of the organized crime groups in Korea and they have a pretty sophisticated operation of selecting the girls, getting them visas, transporting them here, provide them with room and board and supervision.  Girls that don't get good ratings or don't get enough business get sent back in short order since they are looking for maximum ROI.

It's not easy to tell the difference between them since the girls are prohibited from talking about their background and details of the business.  You will have to get to know one pretty well before she will confide in you.

It can be a pretty rough business.

It's been my experience that the Korean girls know what's up.  They're in and out in 2 or 3 months and go home with a pocket full of cash, a chance to have visited the US and nobody at home much the wiser.  

I don't know if they were working girls at home or not.  

On the other hand, I have met Russian girls who definitely were trafficked.  Their families back in Russia were targeted if they tried to walk.  The girls owed large fees to their "managers" that had to paid back.  When they paid down the debt, they blew off their visas and stayed in the US.  Once it became clear what the deal was, I stayed clear of this.  

There was a recent bust in the SGV were the cops were shocked to find out no one there had been trafficked at all.

hmmmm....i recently wrote an explanation in prior post by some other guy explaining how the kgirl operation works here in LA.  check out that post.

while obviously criminal elements do work in this industry as far i know LA is different.  well at least by the 4 main agencies and independents that make up about 75% of the kgirls listed in CV.  

through hobbying ive had the chance to develop relationships with some of these girls as a boyfriend ( and no i didn't pay them anymore after we became a couple.  they had sex with me for free).  through them i was able to hang with the owners and other girls in those agencies and become friends.  and pretty much the girls are here willingly.  they pay for air ticket, clothes, and CV ad.  the agencies here just house them and pay the bookers.  

and yes some are here for the fast cash or to help their debt ridden family.  been to western union couple of times with my exs watching them send their and their roommates money back to their parents and family.

there are no "slaves" or "forced labor" here in LA...well at least with the agencies i know...the girls pretty much leave and go whenever they want.  the agency owners are pretty nice.  they buy them food, deliver food, or take the girls out to group karaoke or dinner after work ktown.  man, if you saw how much koreann bbq these girls eat.  pigs!   and they can quit and go back whenever they want.  one of my ex just did that and 2 of my ex's friends did that also.  back to korea or decided to move to NY extra.  i mean its their plane ticket and passport...no one holds them hostage.

also, the girls who stay past 3 months usually mean they went illegal and went independent cause they are popular and make tons of money so decide to live in US.   and most of these independent girls stay with same bookers.  and as i mentioned in other post bookers don't work for one particular agency but freelance to anyone.  

and all the korean agency knows each other.  some owners are actual friends.  so reason for so many using same apartment. referrals if a location is good.

anyway, hope this answers your questions and clears up some misunderstanding some other reviewers seems to have posted to your question.  i am not saying they are lying but seems to have misunderstood what their korean provider told them.  most likely the kgirl embellished the truth to my fellow hobbyists.  

be safe and have fun always.

Check out a Korean movie called Bad Guy on Netflix.  It gives a glimpse of the Korean girl plight. I'm not saying that all of the K-girls are like that (many that I've met are just in it for the quick money); but, having spent a lot time in Asia, I've seen a lot of similar places as depicted in this movie and stories abound in the local news media.  According to one report, 3 or 4 out of 10 women between the age of 18 to 30 in Korea have been or are involved in the sex trade in one way or another: hostess bars, KTVs, street walkers, escorts, high-end companions, etc.

Thanks for all the replies, the info is much appreciated.

Seems like if I choose my places carefully, I can avoid any coerced-type providers.

dancebbq09, if I stick with the well-traveled apartments, like in Santa Monica, mid-Wilshire, downtown, would I be pretty sure of avoiding any coerced-type providers?

Thanks!