There are some downsides to being a foreign kid in a very homogeneous society like Korea- people always look at you, and that gets old after a while. But the up side is Korean television and print ads are full of foreign models! Modeling agents hang out at places foreign kids congregate (4th of July celebrations, etc) and take pictures. Both girls have had their photo taken a million times, but no one has ever called. (Blond hair and blue eyes is a big plus here!). We know kids who do lots and lots of modeling and commercials, though, it is much easier than in the US, I think.Well, Rowan got a call to do a commercial for a winter festival in Kyonggi province, and she was sooo excited. Mark had to take her, as both Gryphon and I were both laid up very sick. He took pictures, and it looked like fun! They did her makeup, and hair.
Here she is after hair and make up. She, another American kid named Joseph, and 4-5 Korean kids played in the "snow" in front of a green screen for about 3 hours. They had pretend snowball fights, went sledding, ran around and looked cheerful. Rowan said it was fun. They also got dinner, kimchi chigae, which Rowan said was yummy, and I guess the director and workers were impressed she bowed and said Anyanghasaeyo (hello) first thing- its just a habit for her now, of course, but apparently rare among foreign kids. 
I don't know if this will be a regular thing, but she was thrilled to earn some money (big bucks for an 8 year old) and really had a good time. I don't know if we'll ever *see* the commercial, but I hope so!
