It Is Hard To Get A Tattoo In South Korea

Initially, I had something very different planned for this week. However, due to the current situation, it would be perfect to talk about why it is hard to get a tattoo in South Korea. At least for me, that is. Let me explain 

The Process Of Finding An Artist

So, whenever one of the members of the team is planning to head to a new country, the research begins. This process will normally start 8–12 months before departure. Why? Well, we want to find out as much information about tattooing in that area as possible

Step 1: Are there any traditional styles or methods used in that region? If so, who might still do them? Would it be someone contactable online, or will we have to show up in a remote village in hopes that they might accept our offer? Depending on the answer to these questions, we either move to step 2 or step 3. 

Step 2: If there are no traditional styles or methods, then it’s time for the alternative. We go through hundreds, if not thousands, of artists to find some artists that the person that is travelling loves. I mean, if it’s going to be on their body, then the person should love it, no?

Here we are looking for more than just the art, though. We want to highlight and focus on artists that don’t already have the biggest fame. We want to give artists who are lesser known a platform for their work and voice. So we work with the traveller to put a bunch of artists in a contact order based on the traveller’s love of their art. It’s a hard process. There are so many great artists.

Step 3: Reach out. Now we contact the artists one at a time. We explain that we want a tattoo and interview, and they get creative freedom on the tattoo. It just needs to be special to them and somehow connect to their country or culture.

Step 4: Book it.

The process sounds easy, but it is a lot of work. It is even harder to get a tattoo in South Korea.

Our Process For Korea Has Been A Bit Different

As I mentioned back in “Tattoos and South Korea”, I was in Seoul during the Christmas of 2017. However, we were unable to get a tattoo while there. Partially due to a lack of foresight, and partially due to the laws about tattooing. Therefore, the Korean tattoo has been my white whale, my Moby Dick.

I have always hoped I would be able to go back and get a tattoo from such an incredible place. The tattoos that come out of Korea are breathtaking and innovative. Using space, colour, and design in ways that no one else does.

This means that I have been keeping track of and compiling possible artists for the last five or more years. The original studio I had wanted to work with, Studio by Sol, moved to LA a small while ago. Every artist picked up and went. So about 8 months ago I started reaching out to various artists. Some didn’t have availability, others were going to be out of the country. We finally found one that we were excited to work with. That was 6–7 months ago.

Then, about a month ago, the worst news came. The artist was scared about the interview and backed out. This left me panicked. I checked in with them to see if they were sure, and they were. So I started reaching out again.

Do you know how hard it is to book an artist who is willing to do an interview when tattooing is against the law in their country? This law about not being able to work with skin unless you have a medical degree is part of the reason it is hard to get a tattoo in South Korea. Adding on an interview with cameras makes it harder.

Finding A New Artist

So, I picked up my list and was back at it. Still trying to find someone whose art I have been respecting and admiring for years. Someone I really want to work with. Time was running short. I was contacting people one by one, as I had planned to only get one tattoo. People were taking a very long time to respond, were worried about the interview, or were booked. I mean, August was only a few weeks away,

However, it is now three days until I get to Korea and I still didn’t have an artist. That is, until just moments ago. Earlier today, I decided to throw out the idea of contacting people one by one. I took a bunch of the names from my list and contacted them all. They all responded, but only one has said yes so far. It’s late in Korea, so I’m guessing most are busy or going to bed.

We will see what happens. I am so very excited to work with the artist that has said yes. Her use of colour is so striking and unique that it moves something inside of you. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.

 As for the other artists that I have contacted… If they agree, then I will meet with them as well. Perhaps Lisa will want one of their tattoos. If not, I will conquer my white whale by getting multiple tattoos in different styles. God, I hope so. That would be spectacular. Who knows, though? Perhaps everyone will back out, and I will leave Korea with my white whale still intact. I hope not, but it is extremely hard to get a tattoo in South Korea. 

I hope you love the masterpieces that I come back with as much as I know I will. Who is your favourite Korean artist? Let us know down below.

If you ever want to submit artist recommendations or even your own tattoos in hopes of being them being featured here or on our Instagram, then email us at tattoos@nomadicinscriptions.com! We will go through your recommendations, pick our favourites, and find the best way to go about featuring them.

As always, we believe we should live with intention, travel with purpose, and let the world inscribe its stories upon us.

So until next time, stay authentic, stay Nomadic, and let the world inscribe its stories upon you more than you do upon it.