Summary

• The real commission rates and operating methods that Asian model agencies hide when booking models
• The truth behind "no availability" rejections and Asian model agencies' priority booking systems
• The actual margin structure of model agencies and hidden additional costs
• New methods for achieving Asian model quality using AI models
• A specific guide to getting the results you want while saving 90% of costs without using model agencies

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Have you ever reached out to a model agency for an Asian model for your campaign? Then you've probably heard something like: "Sorry, but that Asian model's schedule is completely booked." Or "If you could increase the budget a bit, we might be able to cast a better Asian model." With the rise of K-beauty brands and brands targeting Asian markets, demand for Asian models is skyrocketing. But the actual booking process is more complicated and expensive than you'd think.

 

Today, I'm going to share the hidden truths that Asian model agencies never reveal publicly - insights I learned from interviewing a former casting director who worked in the model agency industry for 12 years.

 

 

Asian Model Booking: The Real Reasons Agencies Keep Hidden

Why is booking Asian models particularly tricky? Model agency reps usually explain it as "Asian models are selective" or "there's high demand for diversity casting." But the real reasons are different.

 

The core issue is the exclusive operating methods of Asian model agencies. Most top-tier Asian models working in the US are concentrated in just a few specific model agencies. Major agencies like IMG, Ford Models, and Wilhelmina have an oligopoly on the Asian model market.

 

More importantly, there's the commission structure that model agencies don't talk about. When booking Asian models, only about 60-70% of what clients pay actually goes to the model. The rest disappears into model agency commissions, casting director fees, styling costs, etc.

"Diversity campaigns became trendy and the Asian model market got hot. But the actual pay that models receive didn't increase much - only the model agencies increased their margins." - Former Asian model agency casting director

 

 

The Truth Behind "That Asian Model Isn't Available"

This is probably what you hear most from model agencies. But are they really unavailable?

According to industry insiders, Asian models' actual schedules are often more flexible than you'd think. So why do they say "no availability"? Because model agencies prioritize clients who pay higher fees.

 

Here's how model agencies' priority booking system works:

1. Global luxury brands (top priority)
2. Major beauty brand campaigns
3. Fashion week shows and editorials
4. Mid-tier brand marketing
5. Small businesses (lowest priority)

Projects with budgets under $5,000 are often rejected outright, or they recommend newcomer Asian models instead. Established models keep their schedules open for bigger campaigns. "With the rise of K-beauty brands, Asian model casting requests exploded. But the top models only want to work with major brands like Estée Lauder or MAC."

 

To actually improve your Asian model casting success rate, you need to know these insider tips:

• Request casting at least 6 weeks in advance
• Mention "potential for series campaigns" to the model agency
• Appeal with brand stories that emphasize Diversity & Inclusion values

 

 

Complete Breakdown of Asian Model Agency Margin Structure

Now let's talk about the most sensitive topic. How much are model agency commissions really?

Typical Asian model casting cost structure:

• Model fee: $2,500
• Model agency commission (20%): $500
• Casting director fee: $400
• Hair/makeup (Asian specialist): $300
• Travel/accommodation: $200
• Total client payment: $3,900

Surprisingly, the Asian model actually receives only 64% of the total cost. The remaining 36% goes to the model agency and related companies. One brand marketing director says: "Asian model agencies never reveal these detailed cost breakdowns. They just say 'full package rate.'" Even more shocking are the hidden additional costs.

 

 Extra fees billed later when casting Asian models:

• Additional model fee for reshoots (75% of original cost)
• Image usage period extension fees
• Social media rights additional fees
• Model agency contract amendment fees

 

 

AI Models: The Smart Choice Brands Are Making Instead of Model Agencies

But recently, more brands are creating Asian model-quality images without going through model agencies. They're using AI model technology. Have you heard of 'Draph Art' created by a Korean startup? It's a service that provides various Asian model image creation features. It's becoming especially popular among brands targeting K-beauty and Asian markets.

 

What are the advantages of creating Asian model images with Draph Art's AI models?

 

Cost perspective:

• Model agency commission: $0
• Model fee: $0
• Additional costs: $0
• Draph Art AI model usage fee: Starting from $19/month

Time perspective:

• Model agency casting period: 4-6 weeks
• AI model generation time: 5 minutes

Diversity perspective:

• Unlimited Asian model options
• Instant diversity campaign implementation

 

When you actually compare AI models with Asian model results, they're hard to tell apart. Looking at images created with Draph Art's Yuna model or Fujimoto Saya model, it's difficult to see any difference from real Asian models.

 

"At first I thought AI models would look awkward, but when I saw the finished images, there was absolutely no difference from Asian models cast by model agencies. Costs were reduced by 95%." - K-beauty startup marketing director

 

 

Specific Methods to Get the Images You Want Without Asian Model Agencies

Now I'll tell you the specific methods for creating Asian model-quality images using Draph Art without model agencies.

 

 

Step 1: Access Draph Art AI Model Features

You can choose from various Asian models provided by Draph Art. High-quality models that are hard to distinguish from real Asian models are ready, including Yuna, Fujimoto Saya, and Kim Hyunwoo.

 

Draph Art's model features provide 5 different options:

• Product wearing cut: Asian models directly wearing clothing, accessories, etc.
• Product using cut: Scenes of using beauty products, gadgets, etc.
• Mannequin change: Change mannequins and people in images to different people
• Faceswap: Change faces of people in images to different faces
• Free pose: Various poses matching brand concepts

 

 

Step 2: Upload Product Images

Let's create a product wearing cut. Upload the K-beauty serum product image that Asian model Yuna will be wearing. You can cleanly extract just the product using the BG Removal feature.

 

 

Step 3: Basic Pose Generation and Pose Selection

This is the stage for creating basic pose images. Input the shooting concept including the desired model appearance, pose, and image background. Parts that were difficult to change in shoots through model agencies can be freely adjusted with AI models.

 

Based on the content input above, 3 basic pose images were created. While she's holding a product similar to the uploaded serum, it's not actually that exact product. Remember that this stage is for creating basic pose images.

 

 

Step 4: Specify Product Area

This is the stage for specifying the product area in the selected image. Only after completing this step will you get a finished model image actually holding the product.

 

 

Step 5: Complete Model Product Wearing Cut

The Yuna Asian model campaign holding the product I uploaded is complete. It looks perfect, just like it was actually shot with a real model cast, right? In Draph Art's case, you can also make 5-second videos with the created images.

 

Actual Cost Comparison:

Using Model Agency:

• Total cost: $3,900
• Time required: 6 weeks
• For reshoots: Additional $2,900

Using AI Model:

• Total cost: $19/month (unlimited generation)
• Time required: 5 minutes
• Regeneration: Free unlimited

This way you can save over 95% of costs compared to model agencies while getting identical quality Asian model images. "After using AI models, I don't need to contact model agencies anymore. I can shoot anytime I want instantly, and if I don't like it, I can remake it right away." - K-fashion e-commerce owner

 

If you've been struggling with Asian model casting, consider this realistic alternative of AI models. You'll be able to get the quality results you want without the complex procedures or expensive costs of model agencies.