Having Tattoos in Korea

Having Tattoos in Korea

  I've heard a lot of foreign people having concerns or curious about reactions of Koreans about having tattoos. And Today I'll be talking about that topic:)

  

Some Problems you might face

  In Korea you can't see a lot of people that have big significant tattoos on their body. In America or other western countries having tattoos on their arms is not that big of a problem, but if your living in Korea it might give you some problems.

  In Korea many people still think that tattoos=gangster/criminals/thugs, especially the older generation. So having big prominent tattoos(such as having your whole arm covered in tattoos) might get you into awkward situations. For example, if you go to bath houses or jjimjjilbang, some places might not let you enter. Or even if you get inside, if other people complain about the tattoo to a worker there, you might be asked to leave the place. Also, you might get a lot of stares from people. Because tattoos are still not very common in Korea, some people might find it strange, or even be disturbed by it. 

  

  And if you are trying to get a job in Korea, and you have a tattoo on your body where it is clearly visible, I highly recommend wearing a clothing that covers the tattoo. Well small ones are fine, but bigger tattoos might give employers a wrong impression about yourself. It's because most of the employers are still middle aged older people, who still have a negative images about tattoos. 

  However, the younger generation in Korea are opening up. So hanging out and making friends wouldn't be a problem. The main people who will find tattoos offending or disturbing will probably be the elderly or middle aged people. Many older people think tattoos are disturbing and don't consider them as fashion. 

  

  Why all the Negative Image?

  Well this kind of negative image about tattoos formed because tattoos were illegal performances before 2013. To be legal, the artists needed a medical degree or something of that sort. So the people who got tattoos, were getting it done by underground shops, which many people find it kind of sketchy. Therefore, many average, normal people didn't even think about having one but, many people related to underground business or illegal things had no problem getting it done. That's why there are negative images of tattoos still left here, in Korea. Especially  big colored tattoos with tiger or dragon in it, have the most negative image because mobsters usually have those kind of tattoos here. 

 Younger Generation 

  But, the good side is, like I said before, the younger generation is opening up and many young Korean people are getting tattoos nowadays. So not many of them will find tattoos offending or disturbing. Some might think it's really cool. Nowadays many celebrities in Korea are getting tattoos,(many idols or member of a hip hop group and so on). So don't be afraid of coming to Korea. Yes, people might stare at you or look at you in a strange way, but who cares? I know people staring at you is not pleasing experience but, just think that you are unique and people are just curious :) 

(Some examples of Korean celebrities who have tattoos on their body- J Park, Tae Yang and G Dragon from Big bang, Lee hyo-ri, Boa, Jico, Hyuna etc.)