Banned at home, Korean tattoo artists thrive abroad
Tattooist Jay Shin at Bang Bang Tattoo / Captured from jayshintattoo on Instagram
New law to legalize tattooists starting 2027 expected to generate 'K-tattoo' tourism
SEATTLE — Tattooing by people other than doctors has long been banned in Korea, but that didn’t stop Korean artists from making their mark overseas. Their intricate fine-line work turned heads in New York and Los Angeles, even as they remained underground back home.
In New York, Jay Shin of Bang Bang Tattoo became known for fine-line and black-and-gray realism, while Woocheol Choung, better known as Low, was singled out by Vogue Magazine in 2022 as one of six artists reshaping tattoo culture, praised for his minimalist designs that merge Korean and contemporary styles.
On the West Coast, Korean American artists have established their own studios in Los Angeles, helping to turn “K-tattoo” into a recognizable global trend. Now, with broader legalization finally set to happen in Korea, artists are welcoming the changes.
“It’s about time,” says J.C. Chung, a 34-year-old tattoo artist who works while traveling between Los Angeles and Seattle. “I don’t regret starting a career here in the U.S., but the change in law will definitely help artists in Korea.”
Part of the reason, Chung admits, comes down to prestige and pay.
“I feel like a legitimate professional here making solid annual income,” he said, declining to mention how much he makes.
Market data shows small to medium tattoos typically cost around $100 to $300 in Korea, while in the U.S., the basic starting price is usually $200, with well-known, popular studios charging up to $500.
Star tattoo artists like Jia Kim, based in San Francisco, can charge as much as $1,300 for the first hour and $700 for the second.
“How much do I need to raise the price to limit the number of people to a level I can handle?” Kim, who specializes in micro pet portrait tattoos, said in a YouTube interview. “I had to ask myself that question after getting bombarded with inquiries the first week of opening.”
Tattooist Jia Kim's work / Captured from paw.tattoo on Instagram
Korean tattoo work is appreciated in the U.S. for its intricate designs and detailed handwork. But success overseas often underscored the irony that many artists in Seoul cannot work openly and legally.
Under Korean law, only licensed doctors have been allowed to tattoo, forcing artists into the shadows even as body art grew popular among young people, athletes and celebrities, who frequently concealed their tattoos on television. Some artists even left Korea to pursue careers abroad, in places where the craft is both legal and celebrated.
That changed this week, when Korea's National Assembly passed a law to officially legalize tattooing by people without medical licenses.
The new law, to take effect in two years after the establishment of detailed regulations, removes a longstanding barrier, giving artists legal recognition and offering consumers greater safety. Observers say the shift could lead to more studios opening across the country and the emergence of Seoul as a tattoo hub.
The change may also have implications for tourism.
Just as travelers flock to Seoul for K-pop, K-beauty and K-fashion, industry watchers suggest that K-tattoos could become another draw. With Korean artists already known for delicate line work and innovative designs, visitors may begin coming to Korea not just for concerts or cosmetics, but also to get tattoos.
“Some people pay thousands of dollars to get a tattoo at popular studios here so I don’t see why these people won’t travel to Korea to get them for a better price,” Chung said.