Korean Job Discussion Forums

[proudman]

Does anyone here know the names and general locations of some of the talent agencies based in Seoul?

While in Seoul, I'm looking to try to do some acting and/or modeling. I've heard that the Gangnam area might be one of the areas.

Any insight into this off ESL topic would be greatly appreciated!

[crossmr]

You should try and get on that show "surprise" talk about ticket to stardom!

[proudman]

are you being sarcastic? i've never heard of it.

[eIn07912]

Well first off, if you're going to be on an E2 Visa, you should keep your acting/modeling search on the quiet side. That's become the newest thing immigration is looking for. It is illegal for you to do any kind of work outside of your visa and they will deport your arse for doing it. They have people that check up on the talent agencies for just such instances. So it'd be best if you took on an alies with a false address and had them pay you under the table. That's if you find one that will hire. Most talent agencies know they can get into big trouble for hiring a teacher for work, so they just dont put up with it. There are tons of people on F2 (married to Koreans) and they do a lot of work.

Second, many foreigners try to come here and do work because they think just because they're white and remotely attractive they can. Wrong. You need to be on top of your game if you want to do it seriously. It's just like any other city that handles talent, if you don't look or fit the part, you're not going to get it. Koreans are really fond of hiring Brazilians and Russians to play the "foreigner" roles in commercials, movies, or tv shows. So unless you look like some Brazilian beaf cake, you're going to have lots of competition. Plus, those guys are on legitimate talent visas so usually soak up most of the legal work out there.

But if you're serious about doing it, it can be done. If you have the right body (no pudge, no beer belly, good skin, not too hairy, just in general nice shape) it can be done. If you find an agency that's willing to put you on a talent visa it can be a sweet life. Most of the time they'll hook you up with a free apartment (shared) or a reduced price one if you want to live alone. Some wont make more than 500 bucks a month. Some make well over 5 thousand. Most break at about 2 thousand (about same as teacher salary). Working jobs can be tough. The ones I've done have you there before the crack of down and keep you there for well over 12 or 14 hours a day. Most of the time can be spent sitting around and waiting for 5 minutes of actual work. A lot of the studios are out in the country side, a good 2 hours at least, away from Seoul. Almost nothing films or shoots on the weekend, so if you're trying to hold down a teaching gig at the same time, work is going to come few and far between.

Having modeled and acted in a few countries, I would not put Korea near the top of my list. Japan is much more condusive to foreign actors. But their English ability is worse than Korea, so being successful there requires some serious effort to learn the native tongue. You might do better in a place like Thailand or Taiwan. Vietnam is coming along, but will be a few years before the market really gets where it can support foreign model/actors full time. China is always an option. Problem there is that they don't tend to pay their talent that well. But you will get tons of work and experience there.

So best of luck to you. Just remember, if you look like you've been sitting on the couch the last couple of years, playing xbox, downing bud lights, and eating pizza or cheerios all day.. you can probably count out a lot of work. Don't depend on "well, I'm an ok looking white guy". That's a myth. They have standards here. If you really want to work, I'd suggest using your year (or two) in Korea as a "building phase." You'll have enough time to hit the gym everyday. Veg is all over the place, so it's easy to dodge sloppy Western food. Plus, Koreans love to take photos. Finding a good and talented amateur photogs to get a book made for yourself wont be too hard. You could also use the time to bone up on an acting course or two. And get used to going to a spa and looking top notch. Keep your hair clean and in style. Manicures and pedicures have got to become a monthly habbit. Body hair waxing hurts, but it's a necessary evil. Find a clothing style that compliments your body and spend money on it. Don't go to casting calls or interviews in jeans you've been wearing since freshman year, with a pair of dirty old sneakers, and baggy shirt on (or hockey jersey if you're Canadian... lol)

Think of Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing as the minor leages for Paris, New York, and Milan. Minor league players still look as good and put in double the work before they hit the majors. You should too.

[crossmr]

[Forward Observer]

I do TV CFs now and again. You may remember me from a recent SK Telecom commercial where there were two 'Columbo' detectives, I was the younger guy. I recommend doing CFs and staying away from TV shows - they don't pay at all. CFs at least give you some cash. Sorry, I don't give out names of my contacts either.


I doubt anyone is going to give you much info if you're going to be their competition though! I'm on an F5 and am a permanent resident, so I get lucky sometimes - and I've heard about other F visa holders calling immigration on people that beat them out on parts - how they found who it was is beyond me, but that's the grapevine talking.

[proudman]

Wow! Thanks for all of the insight. First off, I'm half Korean, and will be trying to obtain an F4 visa. I've got friends and family members that are full Korean, and have been telling me for years that I would have a good chance of making it in acting/modeling in Korea with my look. Not to pump myself up, but I've got a pretty unique look. I've also been told that a fairly popular soap or some kind of tv star in Korea is half Korean and half European. I've got a nice athletic build that I keep really lean, so there isn't an issue there.

Will the F4 visa be sufficient to teach and act? I'm sure it'll be difficult when trying to hold down a teaching job. I had too many responsibilities here in the states when I was going to make an honest run at it. First off, Miami was the closest area to me that did any TV or Movie production, and it was still two hours away. So it didn't make sense to run over there for every minor opportunity. Secondly, I had to hold down the real job to take care of the high mortgage and all of the other debt. And Miami was obviously nothing when compared to Hollywood.

So I guess we'll see. I'm excited about the possibilities. I'm looking to have some fun, and it would just be gravy if it parlayed into anything REAL!

If y'all or anyone else has any further insight or suggestions. I'd greatly appreciate it!

[proudman]

Forward Observer: What are TV CFs?

[Forward Observer]

Commercial Films.

If you're half Korean, you should look on Naver for talent agencies. Once one agency has your info, they all have it...they share portfolios.

[crossmr]

How is your korean? if you can speak Korean well you have unlimited opportunities both in foreigner roles and non foreigner roles. You don't have to worry about ending up on Surprise.

F4 covers you for everything. Make sure you're not on the registry. If you're on the registry you could have to do military service (if you're a guy)

[proudman]

Naver??? I'll have to research them. Thanks!

[crossmr]

[proudman]

My Korean is almost non-existent, and I realize that will be a problem. I will be trying to learn/work on it.

My cousin's good friend's father is an exec at I-TV, and he said that I really need to learn Korean if I want to thrive. But I heard that the actor I referenced earlier has English speaking roles.

I asked my mother today, and I was not registered when I was born here in the states, so I should be exempt from having to serve in the military.

[crossmr]

[pkang0202]

OP, I hope your Korean is superb. If it is not very good, then I would even go as far as pretending you don't know any Korean.

The last thing you need is for a Korean photographer/director overestimating your Korean ability on a set and you having to constantly ask them to repeat or translate.

Its much easier to have them assume you don't know any Korean, and have them just communicate in English.