T.V And Modeling Jobs For Foreigners In Korea
So maybe you are one of those people who came to Korea as an English teacher only to discover that teaching isn’t your thing. You feel frustrated, you dread going to work. You don’t look forward to teaching the little bundles of joy, in fact you HATE it, you are ready to throw in the towel, exasperated you sit down on the couch and turn on the t.v, it’s playing some Korean soap opera which you watch halfheartedly while brooding about your life when suddenly you notice something that piques your interest, there’s a foreigner in the K-drama. Intrigued, you flip through a few more channels like EBS, Arirang, some random talk show and you notice that they all have the token foreigners and wonder how did these foreigners land these gigs?
You walk over to the mirror and take a look at yourself. You realize you are pretty good looking. Actually better looking than many of them on t.v. You see the possibilities and remember how you always enjoyed acting, You always were talented. Your teachers thought you had potential and suddenly life isn’t so bleak anymore. Finally you have found the right fit for yourself! why not give modeling/acting in Korea a try!
Well now that you have made up your mind, here’s the new conundrum. How to find these acting/modeling jobs? What are
the requirements? What’s the pay like? In this post, I will try to answer these questions as best I can.
What kind of gigs are available
The work ranges from being in a K-drama to entertainment programs or even guest appearances on talk shows and news programs. Don’t worry if you are not ultra good looking or don’t have blonde hair and blue eyes. There are acting and modeling jobs available for the average foreigner too. There are full time and part-time gigs available. These opportunities are not limited to TV. You can find work modeling for magazines, promotional photos
for products/companies etc.
Working hours
How many hours you work depends on the kind of gig, shooting schedule and your timetable. Some companies are very flexible with hours and will work around your schedule. However some are on a time constraint and will work you mercilessly to meet the deadline. Working hours can be anywhere from early in the morning or late at night. Depending on the shoot you can expect 2 – 4 hours or more. Some assignments are only for a day whereas others may last for a week or longer.
What are the requirements
Many of these jobs just need a foreigner to fill in.there are no dialogues or anything and as such these jobs don’t require Korean ability. You’ll get paid for just sitting and looking pretty. However, there may be other gigs that require basic Korean ability or assignments like being on a talk show/news show that would need advance knowledge of Korean language and culture. I also saw some job postings online that specifically asked for Americans, Germans or Filipinos. So nationality might be a factor at times but not always. Some parts need experience actors but usually no prior experience is required, especially for the part- time work.
How to find the acting/modeling jobs
There are various ways to look for these jobs. Easiest and the most common would be online. You can find modeling and TV jobs in Korea on craigslist.co.kr. There are numerous postings online with opportunities to take part in a photo shoot, work as a promotional model, as a Drama extra or as a guest on a TV show. Even if you just want part-time work, you can usually find a few one day gigs online easily.
Another good option is to look through the classified section in the newspaper. These jobs are sometimes posted there. Also, a well known Foreign actor in Korea suggested that if you’re in Seoul, you may also want to checkout the job board at various reputed universities. From time to time, there maybe TV crews on popular campuses scouting for some new foreign talent or looking to do an interview.
Something else you can try is contacting the tv show directly. You can do this by visiting their website, logging in and using the forums or e-mailing them. Let them know that you are an interested, potential candidate. Many popular tv shows and K-dramas also have Facebook pages that you can use to communicate or ask questions. This may require some Korean ability but that’s not always the case. So don’t worry!
Yet another and perhaps a very common way in Korea to get these jobs is via networking. If you end up with a gig try to make friends. Get to know several people who work behind the scenes. Drink with them, exchange phone numbers or social media information. This way you can keep in touch and next time
an opportunity comes up they will think of you and contact you.
Pay and compensation
The payment varies depending on the type and length of the shoot. I read an article by a famous foreign actor in Korea, that, as a model or an extra you can make anywhere from 100,000 KRW / Day up to 300,000 KRW per appearance. For a guest appearance you can receive around 300,000 KRW. On Craigslist I saw jobs that were offering 50,000+ won to some offering as much as 400,000 KRW. Although I saw a whole ton lot where compensation was negotiable. Sometimes if it is just a simple appearance then you may only get a gift voucher.
Legality Issue
Also, please remember that legally you may not be able to work on t.v on your current visa. I recommend verifying with your local immigration office before proceeding. If you’re exceptionally good looking and have relevant experience, talent agencies in Korea might sponsor your visa. Usually however, they prefer people who do not require visa sponsorship like Kyopo’s or F-5/F-6 visa holders. Preference is also given to foreigners who are already residing in Korea.
If you are an aspiring actor/actress in Korea, looking to make your mark in Korean entertainment world, I hope this information helps you. Remember these opportunities are out there and a good command of English and adequate Korean ability can go a long way. Good luck and happy hunting!