Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ryzn · Joined: 03 Jun 2007

Are there any teacher/actors out there who can tell me what the opportunities are like in Seoul?

For Film/Telivision/Commercials?

Theatre?

For foreigners who speak only English, or some Korean?

I'm a teacher/actor here in Los Angeles, coming to Seoul in March for a 1 year PS contract. Will it be possible to earn some side cash or even pursue acting while I'm there?

Also, what's the deal with headshots over here?

Thanks!

alpope23 · Joined: 15 Mar 2006

If you have an E-2 visa, the easy answer is no side jobs unless you want to risk a stiff fine and being deported.

Head shots are big here in Korea, ask any boy in your school about them!
Sudden attack!

Ryzn · Joined: 03 Jun 2007

Okay so not technically legal. Got it!

BUT, do people with E2 visas still do it anyways? Have you ever heard of someone getting deported for this?

I met an American guy in Laos (Veng Vieng) this last summer who had been teaching in Korea for a couple years and told me that it was quite easy to score acting jobs. Was he exagerating?

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

They often put up ads in www.koreaherald.co.kr in the classifieds section. You have to make an ID to see them, but it's not hard.

milspecs · Joined: 19 Jun 2008

Does teacher/actor mean you're really a teacher who also wants to be an actor?

Laughing

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Ryzn · Joined: 03 Jun 2007

Yeah, teaching to pay the bills while pursuing acting.

Nice link, thanks.

When you say, "Easy to get deported," does it happen a lot? Does anyone know any foreign actors who have been deported?

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Knock yourself out:

Namu & Sam: 02-542-7153
Another place that often calls me for acting jobs: 010-7666-6831

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

Usually only those on other types of visas (D4, C4, F series) can get acting jobs legally.

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

I think it is 'perfectly legal' for E2's to act. I should know, I work for GEPIK. I've been pretending to be a teacher for quite some time and now I've got an 'extraordinary' TESOL certificate, I have the necessary paperwork to prove I'm an acting teacher. Laughing

Ryzn · Joined: 03 Jun 2007

Thanks again for the info. Good stuff.

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

Don't..please don't. I see them occasionally toss a foreign actor in a movie who clearly isn't a professional actor, or they have some crews english teacher friends play the white guys in the show and god its painful to watch. Koreans might not be able to tell but I want to pound my head in to the wall when the white as bread geek tries puts the most painful spin on a spanish gangster accent and brutally rapes "esse" (or however its spelled).

Ryzn · Joined: 03 Jun 2007

Quote:

Don't..please don't. I see them occasionally toss a foreign actor in a movie who clearly isn't a professional actor, or they have some crews english teacher friends play the white guys in the show and god its painful to watch. Koreans might not be able to tell but I want to pound my head in to the wall when the white as bread geek tries puts the most painful spin on a spanish gangster accent and brutally rapes "esse" (or however its spelled).

Absolutely hilarious and I can picture that well. I'm no Anthony Hopkins, but I'm not bad Smile

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

Ah yes, the foreign actors they have in East of Eden (including that puppet Dennis Oh) are absolutely terrible. Some random Russian businessmen they've picked up here and there, Ugh!