Foreign actors carve out space in Korea’s competitive entertainment world

Breaking into Korea's increasingly competitive entertainment industry as a foreigner requires more than talent — it takes persistence, the ability to adapt quickly and a knack for impressing in a system built around local networks. British actor Adam Strandt, 39, knows this reality all too well. “I had to learn to navigate a lot of different dynamics, different casting systems and understand how productions operate here versus abroad,” he said. Strandt’s journey to Korea’s entertainment world began in England, where he studied film and photography. He was also scouted as a model, but never pursued it full-time. Restless and ready for change, he left for Japan, and later moved to Korea in 2012 to teach English. What was meant to be a one-year stint stretched on — first in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, where he met his wife, and later in Seoul. His marriage gave him the visa freedom to pivot away from teaching, returning to modeling and acting. He started small before moving into dramas with single-line parts that gradually grew into more substantial roles. “Now I think I’mWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times