"Isn't a Tattoo Also a Form of Individuality?" What Are Your Thoughts on Tattoos?

7 out of 10 Adults Positive About Tattoos
Increase in Tattooed People Due to Changing Social Perceptions
Expert: "Tattoos Are Culturally Spreading Among Young People"

According to the Korea Tattoo Association in July last year, approximately 1 million people have received tattoos in South Korea, and the number of tattooists registered with the association is known to exceed 3,000. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] #University student A (23) said, "These days, many celebrities get tattoos. Even the celebrities I like show off their tattoos on SNS," adding, "I think the perception of tattoos has recently become more positive. In fact, it seems like more friends around me want to get tattoos." He continued, "In the past, the word 'tattoo' brought to mind a delinquent image. But perhaps because there are many small and cute tattoos now, I think there are more positive reactions."

#Office worker B (26) said, "Tattoos are one way to express individuality," adding, "In the past, there was a negative view of tattoos, but nowadays tattoos seem to be like accessories." He continued, "Some tattoos are beautiful, and by getting a tattoo, you can keep precious memories from being forgotten," and said, "If I get the chance, I will get a tattoo too."

Recently, many celebrities have been revealing their tattoos through social networking services (SNS). Some celebrities have shown their tattoos on their Instagram accounts, expressing their individuality. The locations vary, including arms, wrists, ankles, and fingers.

Tattooed celebrities and citizens frequently appear in various media. As a result, tattoos have become a natural part of culture among citizens.

Tattoos have shifted from being perceived negatively as something that causes disgust to a means of expressing individuality. Photo by Yonhap News

According to a 'Tattoo Perception Survey' conducted by market research firm Embrain Trend Monitor in 2018 with 1,000 men and women nationwide, 70.9% of respondents answered that "the perception of tattoos has become much more tolerant than in the past." By age group, 73.2% of people in their 20s, 73.6% in their 30s, 70.4% in their 40s, and 66.4% in their 50s responded positively. This means 7 out of 10 people have a positive view of tattoos.

Thus, tattoos have shifted from a negative perception that causes disgust to a means of expressing individuality. This change in perception has led to an increase in the number of people getting tattoos.

According to the Korea Tattoo Association in July last year, about 1 million people in Korea have received tattoos, and the number of tattooists registered with the association exceeds 3,000.

According to a 'Consumer Perception Survey on Tattoos' conducted last year by the Consumer Citizens' Organization Seoul Branch through Oz Research with 1,000 adults in their 20s nationwide, 370 respondents said they had received either cosmetic tattoos such as eyebrows and eyeliner or body tattoos on arms and legs.

Among them, people in their 50s and 60s preferred cosmetic tattoos, while body tattoos were popular among younger generations such as millennials.

Images of celebrities and ordinary people with tattoos frequently appear in various media. As a result, tattoos have become a natural part of the culture among the general public. Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, some reactions include "excessive tattoos are unpleasant to see," "they are uncomfortable to look at," and "I worry that young people might imitate celebrities who have tattoos."

Office worker C (27) said, "I don't really understand why people get tattoos. They don't look good aesthetically, and even if they look nice now, it's obvious they will regret it later."

He added, "It's also a problem that celebrities get tattoos," raising his voice, "Teenagers who see celebrities' tattoos will get tattoos without any caution." C also said, "Tattoos are illegal anyway because they are not performed by medical professionals, so I don't understand how people do it so casually."

Experts analyze that tattoos are culturally spreading among young people. Jang Junhyuk, president of the Korea Tattooists Association, said in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show,' "It is true that there are negative views about tattoos," adding, "However, through media, you can see many young people with tattoos, such as Hollywood stars and sports stars."

He continued, "Even now, tattoos are culturally spreading among young people," adding, "Tattoos are now culture. We need to bring what is underground into the mainstream."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.