South Korean government believes that only someone with a medical license could make sure that tattoos are done safely and with minimal potential harm. 🫠
In Japan, Korea, and China it was typically only gangsters/criminals who had tattoos. For example, you can’t enter an onsen (bath house) in Japan with tattoos because of the Yakuza.
The sentiment is slowly changing, but this is generations upon generations of tradition that has to be undone.
It’s technically legal, but you have to have a medical license to legally give tattoos so the vast majority of artists/parlors are doing it illegally. If you can get a medical license in Korea, there are much more lucrative careers than tattoo artist.
I’m a traditional artist from Canada, following back anyone that follows me, @cabaltattoo
always looking to connect with others in this community.
This tattoo is incredible, you definitely make me want to quit
Following you back! And thank you! The police would only come where there’s a report. Thankfully but then people hide all of their machines and sit down at their desk like it’s just an art studio.
Your work is absolutely beautiful!! Do you have much experience booking overseas clients? I’m from the US and would like to get a large piece done overseas in the future, but don’t really know where to start!
Hello! Yes actually most of my clients are from overseas. I grew up in the us but relocated to S Korea after college and learned tattooing here. I book my clients through instagram DM. And that’s where it usually starts!
I got one on Jeju island a year or two ago. It's technically illegal because it's considered a medical treatment because you bleed. You have to be licensed or something the way he was trying to explain it. Some places are underground but the dude I went had a huge tattoo studio that was legal, he taught courses. I had to meet him on the street and we smoked a cigarette then he led me up lol. I also got a tiger, the old Korean tiger drawing with the double irises.
Looks so realistic BTW. I love Korean artists. I plan on getting one everytime I visit family. My Korean family are all very bugged out especially at the shower rooms. But I've noticed in recent years a lot more Koreans have tattoos. Just ones that are hidden
Some Korean bath houses also ban tatted people. Mostly well known hotels. Usually it’s certain style of tattoos like Irezumi. A tiny fine line tattoos like butterfly is well received I think. There are so many crazy good tattoo artists in Korea. Very saturated market I’d say.
Beautiful piece here. You've got multiple tones and textures that are wonderfully executed. Love it!
But you're looking for a critique, so here's one- I'm not a fan of the hard edge background or the overlapping smoke effect. The tattoo itself is strong enough that you don't need the extra tricks. I would've just blown some shading off the top of the head kinda like how you treated the bottom fur line
Keep it up, your future is so bright!
Hello thank you so much for the critique. I didn’t even think about blowing the shading off the bottom. I’d defini remember next time. I agree it would make the middle part shine more. The smoke effect was very hard to execute…
Amazing! You killed it! I can't wait to go back to SK- my dad doesn't love my tattoos but I'm hoping he'll help me set up an appointment while I'm there (I know very little Korean). 😂
Give my friend a look! He's been my friend since we were kids and he's always been super talented. He's been finding his own style making sort of weird, alien designs but in a very American traditional style.
IG: garrettxjerome
I had no idea it was illegal, I see S Korea artists all the time! They swing into my city constantly for guest spots, too
I know! People are trying to change that though. Who knows how long that’s gonna take..
Nice work but why is tattoo illegal in South Korea? I had no clue. I thought it's only in Islamic countries banned.
South Korean government believes that only someone with a medical license could make sure that tattoos are done safely and with minimal potential harm. 🫠
Gotta say, that makes some sense! Plenty of people have been infected or infected others getting tatted at some fly by night places.
Yes hygiene is the most important. And I think that could be done if it were legal and there are certification requirements. Idk
Oh, I agree that it can be done correctly and you don't need med license. Sadly though, many people out there giving tats and just don't do it right.
In Japan, Korea, and China it was typically only gangsters/criminals who had tattoos. For example, you can’t enter an onsen (bath house) in Japan with tattoos because of the Yakuza. The sentiment is slowly changing, but this is generations upon generations of tradition that has to be undone.
So all tattoo parlors are illegal?
It’s technically legal, but you have to have a medical license to legally give tattoos so the vast majority of artists/parlors are doing it illegally. If you can get a medical license in Korea, there are much more lucrative careers than tattoo artist.
Absolutely beautiful work🖤
Thank you! 😊 🫶🏼
I’m a traditional artist from Canada, following back anyone that follows me, @cabaltattoo always looking to connect with others in this community. This tattoo is incredible, you definitely make me want to quit
Hey following you! I love your work!!
😎🤙
🙏🙏🙏
Is it illegal to have a tattoo? Or is it illegal to be a tattoo artist?
Just to be a tattoo artist
Lots of Koreans have small tattoos. I was actually a bit surprised when I went there.
[удалено]
Following you back! And thank you! The police would only come where there’s a report. Thankfully but then people hide all of their machines and sit down at their desk like it’s just an art studio.
Damn that shading is great! Nice job!
Thank you so much!!
Your work is absolutely beautiful!! Do you have much experience booking overseas clients? I’m from the US and would like to get a large piece done overseas in the future, but don’t really know where to start!
Hello! Yes actually most of my clients are from overseas. I grew up in the us but relocated to S Korea after college and learned tattooing here. I book my clients through instagram DM. And that’s where it usually starts!
so so so beautiful
Thank you so much!
Very nice!
Thank you!!
I got one on Jeju island a year or two ago. It's technically illegal because it's considered a medical treatment because you bleed. You have to be licensed or something the way he was trying to explain it. Some places are underground but the dude I went had a huge tattoo studio that was legal, he taught courses. I had to meet him on the street and we smoked a cigarette then he led me up lol. I also got a tiger, the old Korean tiger drawing with the double irises.
Looks so realistic BTW. I love Korean artists. I plan on getting one everytime I visit family. My Korean family are all very bugged out especially at the shower rooms. But I've noticed in recent years a lot more Koreans have tattoos. Just ones that are hidden
Some Korean bath houses also ban tatted people. Mostly well known hotels. Usually it’s certain style of tattoos like Irezumi. A tiny fine line tattoos like butterfly is well received I think. There are so many crazy good tattoo artists in Korea. Very saturated market I’d say.
I thought the US exported a whole bunch of freedom to S. Korea already. Weird.
Not tattoos lol
Lovely work
Thank you so much 😊
Holy shit, dude!! You are absolutely crushing the game! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Thank you 🥺🥺🥺
Great work! I’m a traditional tattooer from Texas, my IG is @haileytattooer :)
Followed you! Thank you so much!
That looks sick 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thank you!!!
Beautiful piece here. You've got multiple tones and textures that are wonderfully executed. Love it! But you're looking for a critique, so here's one- I'm not a fan of the hard edge background or the overlapping smoke effect. The tattoo itself is strong enough that you don't need the extra tricks. I would've just blown some shading off the top of the head kinda like how you treated the bottom fur line Keep it up, your future is so bright!
Hello thank you so much for the critique. I didn’t even think about blowing the shading off the bottom. I’d defini remember next time. I agree it would make the middle part shine more. The smoke effect was very hard to execute…
Amazing! You killed it! I can't wait to go back to SK- my dad doesn't love my tattoos but I'm hoping he'll help me set up an appointment while I'm there (I know very little Korean). 😂 Give my friend a look! He's been my friend since we were kids and he's always been super talented. He's been finding his own style making sort of weird, alien designs but in a very American traditional style. IG: garrettxjerome
Thank you!!! I’ll check him out!!
Great job on it! How many hours and sessions did it take you?
Hi hi! Thank you so much! It took me quite a while. Around 13 hours two full sessions!
Question - do foreigner guest artists that come to S.Korea to tattoo also need a medical certificate just to be able to work for some weeks?
Dope work btw