Korean Job Discussion Forums

Brocky

Sit down, this is a weird one...

I work at the HQ come small hagwon for CIEC / Royal Academia. It seems to be a nationally franchised chain as far as I am aware. Next week they are moving from their small HQ in Sunae to a larger 10 classroom sized hagwon in Migeum.

Yesterday I was called by the director to come downstairs to the foyer of the building. Outside was one of those small Korean vans with one set of wheels bigger than the other. Plastered to the sides of the van was advertising for the school. 5 minutes later and I realise that the whole side of the van lifts up to show a van-sized projection screen.

Okay...interesting.

This afternoon I have been briefed that I am to be filmed as part of an advertisement generally waxing lyrical on my passion for teaching (*eh? it's a job, hardly a passion) and the benefits of studying at this new hagwon.

---------

Should I be excited, should I feel like a retard? Every single whitey that I have seen on Korean language TV has looked like a complete and utter berk. I'm not exactly excited about the project.

So if you see my mug on the side of a van....

I feel like such a *bleep* right now...

Mod Edit: Edited for language.

poet13 · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:51 am Post subject:

Up to you. At least ask for some money. You can always refuse. It's not in your contract is it? They give you grief, call up one of your foreigner friends and ask him to act as your agent. Make outrageous demands. M&Ms with the brown ones taken out. Twice as many blue as red. In the bowl with the logo facing up on all of them. Any one thing missing is a deal breaker.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Are they giving you any extra money for that?

If not, you have my permission to weasel out of it.

Brocky · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:57 am Post subject:

Should I ask for money?I've only been working for them for three weeks.

To be honest, I would really prefer not to do it. As you say, it isn't in my contract. I might have to mull this one over a glass of something... substantial.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Satori · Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Location: Above it all

Dont be difficult, do it. Good karma with your boss down the line...

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

Aye that's a tuff one.

I'd hate to be sitting at the Wabar one saturday afternoon with my mates, when along comes the van for Mr. Idiot's School of Assclownery with MY voice and picture broadcasting over and over like a cabbage truck. Oh the shame.

But if you don't do it, your boss will probably hold it against you for the rest of your contract. I'd say do it, take it in stride, but just happen to discuss when you want your vacation days to be while youre at it.

Brocky · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:02 am Post subject:

Indeed, I think vacation negotiation might work well. I wonder if they will notice if I do it pissed?

The fact that 50% of people won't actually understand it might ease my conscience somewhat. I wonder if I can get 'woofters' into my statement.

poet13 · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:05 am Post subject:

Pissed? That would be irresponsible. Just mispronounce words. lol

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Do not negotiate over this. That's not now it works. Your contract is used by your boss to bind you, not the other way around. Check your contract carefully to see if it mentions anything about duties including promotion or anything unclear.

The best way to not do this is to not be able to. Ideas?

1) Explain you're not an actor and they should get someone who can do it properly. Hell, offer to help them find someone who can do it.
2) Find the dirtiest bathroom doorknob and rub your eye all over it. If that doesn't give you pink eye, give yourself a black eye.
3) If they do make you be in it, do a terrible job. Slur your words, say "um" a lot, and generally look unattractive. You warned them, didn't you?

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Personally I'd only do it if I was paid for it. If my contract states i am there to teach, then that is what I do. If they hired me to act, then that is what I do.

rhinocharge64 · Joined: 20 Sep 2006

You've only been there for 3 weeks so see it has been good preparation for the reminder of your contract. Hoggies by and large expect you to be no more than a circus clown.

poet13 · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:58 am Post subject:

Reach down deep. PRETEND to scratch your a-hole. Sniff your finger. Lick finger (Go back and read PRETEND). Repeat until someone throws up.
I wouldn't do it without some REAL bling, and I don't mean 100,000 won. Start at a million cash.

piscin · Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Location: Seoul

My face is on the side of all our buses, on our fliers, on posters up around the building. They didn't ask.

I actually wouldn't mind too much if they'd give me a chance to brush my hair and put some make up on Rolling Eyes

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

I taught a TEFL course in Toronto and did a photo shoot for the brochure. I'm stepping on a globe with briefcase in hand. LOng and short is that it was pretty stupid to do. Big fan and I continually walked briskly back and forth for an hour. NO PAY.

Still I got a job and appeared in a catalogue courtesy of the cameraman. Also, showed the brochure to impress prospective employers. You'd be surprised how clippings , articles, publishing, help.

Doing ads in Korea (I"ve done 2, non educational) aren't that lucrative unless you got a name and big agent. I got 200 and 300 thousand won each time....nice but not substantial....

I'd do it, be a surrealist and just enjoy the ride.........

DD

Alyssa · Joined: 15 Jan 2006