In South Korea, tattoos remain legally restricted, requiring medical licenses for application, and are often stigmatized in conservative sectors of society. Despite the underground popularity of tattoo parlors, celebrities are increasingly opting for tattoo removal and making it public.
K-pop idols and actors who once flaunted discreet ink are now undergoing removal procedures, framing them as steps toward maturity or professionalism. This shift reflects pressures from talent agencies, where “clean” skin is often marketed as more suitable for international endorsements.
Cultural anthropologists interpret this as a balancing act: personal self-expression versus societal conformity. Still, younger Koreans quietly push back, with underground Instagram tattoo communities continuing to thrive.
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