Full-body tattoo removal becomes trend among Korean stars

From left, HyunA, Nana and Han So-hee / Xportsnews

In Korea, where tattoos have long carried social stigma, a new wave of celebrities is now publicly choosing to remove their ink. What once served as a form of emotional expression and rebellion is now being erased — and shared with fans in a surprising cultural shift.

One of the most notable examples is singer HyunA, who revealed on Wednesday during an appearance on the web variety show “Yongtaro” that she began removing her tattoos about a year ago. “I had so many across my body that it takes a lot of time,” she said. Her decision was prompted by her mother, who told her, “You’ve done everything you wanted — how about experiencing a clean body just once?” HyunA added, “I’ve gone for removal about four times, and it really hurts.”

Comedian Lee Yong-jin, who appeared on the show with HyunA, empathized with her experience, saying, “I’ve removed tattoos on my legs over a dozen times. Now that I’m raising a child, there are moments when I regret them.”

HyunA / Captured from "Yongtaro"

HyunA has long been recognized as a celebrity closely associated with body art. Her tattoos ranged from small ones on her wrist and legs to a large inscription on her shoulder reading, “My mother is the heart that keeps me alive” — a tribute to her mother that became iconic among fans.

HyunA’s decision comes after former After School member Nana made headlines last year by publicly sharing her own tattoo removal journey. In a 2023 appearance on the web show “Everyday is Thursday,” Nana said, “My mom asked if she could see me with a clean body again. She supported me when I first got the tattoos, so when she asked me to remove them, I didn’t hesitate.”

Nana / Xportsnews

Nana also opened up about the emotional reasons behind getting inked. “At the time, I was mentally struggling, and tattoos were my way of expressing myself. Some people might say it’s a reckless coping method, but it was the only outlet I had to process my emotions.”

Her tattoos were first publicly unveiled at a press event for the film “Confession” in September 2022, sparking mixed reactions. But Nana appeared unfazed by criticism and confidently displayed her body art at official events. As she began removing them, she shared photos of her fading tattoos on social media, drawing public attention once again.

Han So-hee / Captured from Han's social media

Actor Han So-hee also briefly became the subject of discussion when pre-debut photos showing tattoos on her wrist and forearm circulated online. Fans noticed those tattoos were no longer visible once she debuted. Addressing the change, she said, “The person I was then and the person I am now are both me. When you start working, you have to adapt, and that’s how I’ve become who I am now.”

Even after removing her tattoos, Han’s affection for body art has continued. She often posts photos wearing temporary tattoo stickers on her arms, chest and neck, showing off a different kind of charm.

What once served as a form of emotional release and self-expression is now giving rise to a new trend: public tattoo removal. In a society where tattoos have long been stigmatized but increasingly embraced by younger generations, the act of erasing them — especially when done transparently — appears to be evolving into a cultural shift in itself.

This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.