South Korea's Tattoo Artists Step into the Limelight
Wednesday, 2026/06/03113 words2 minutes1004 reads
Last Saturday, Kim Tae-nam stood on a stage in Seoul. He was very happy. His job was now legal in South Korea.
For 34 years, tattoos were illegal in Korea. Only doctors could make tattoos. Many tattoo artists worked in secret. They were afraid of police. Some artists were arrested or had to pay money.
Now, things are different. The court changed the old rule. Tattoo artists can work freely. Kim said, "Tattoos are art!" More than 90 artists came to celebrate. They had a big party called Ink Bomb. People were excited and happy. Young Koreans like tattoos now. Famous singers and actors have tattoos too. The old fear is going away.
