Being a full-time freelancer video model is still rare: The current state

I work as a video model. I appear in corporate PR videos and advertising videos.

I am a freelancer. Honestly, I might not have met anyone who is a freelancer exclusively as a video model. I think many people do it as a side job.

The initial trigger was when I was in high school, my sister was registered with an extra office, and there was a drama shoot happening nearby. She took me along, and I got to be an extra in the drama. Even though I was just walking in the background while celebrities were around, being part of a drama production and being close to celebrities was quite fun. That's how I started doing it on my own.

I had various jobs, like a 5-day-a-week office job or IT-related work, and I switched jobs quite a bit. But during my days off, I often worked as a TV extra, so I gradually started thinking that maybe I could make that my main job.

I was quite anxious, especially about leaving a stable income behind. But I felt that doing the same thing repeatedly was boring, so I thought that if I changed jobs, I could try new things. That expectation was greater, and I'm glad I could try various things because of it.

Initially, it wasn't just about video modeling; I tried various things. But video modeling was something I didn't mind at all during shoots, and I often enjoyed the shooting itself. So, in that sense, it's easy to continue.

When I get a slight smile or when someone says 'You're good' in front of the camera, especially if I've been doing it for a while and get such compliments more often. It's joyful to see clients directly happy.

For instance, when shooting at home and the client asks for a different angle after delivery, or when shooting face-to-face and needing retakes. It's tough when you've put in effort but need to redo it. Also, as mentioned earlier, when clients wonder if they should accept a project, that can be challenging.

Once, I was asked to shoot 150 short videos of various scenes like 'doing something' or 'waking up.' It was overwhelming to organize them. Among the 150, about 20 overlapped, and when I pointed it out, they said, 'Sorry, this was for a different scene,' like shaving a sensitive area. It turned out to be something adult-related. Even though they were a certified client, they requested something completely different, which was a bit scary. It's not a trauma, but it's unforgettable.

Especially when I started, it was mostly gig-based, and I didn't feel stable. But after continuing for almost a year, I started getting regular clients, which made invoicing a bit enjoyable. Having a few regular clients is gradually building a foundation.

There are jobs that pay around $10 per video, netting about $8, and others where I get paid $100-$200 for a 1-2 hour shoot at a reputable company. It varies widely.

I believe it's important to be happy and in a good mood every day. If work prevents that, it's meaningless. So, I see work as just a part of life. Since I sleep about a third of the time, I guess work takes up about a third of my life.

In the long term, especially since video modeling is a relatively new profession, I wonder how much demand there will be when I'm in my 40s or 50s. It's essential to read the times and be flexible. Instead of insisting on being a video model forever, I think it's necessary to continuously consider what I want to do as the times change.

I think many video models do it as a side job while working. If someone wants to make it their main job, they'd be a rare companion. I'd love to talk to them. Whether as a side job or main job, try it out. It's very enjoyable and allows for self-expression. I hope you have fun with it.