Name: Documentary reveals underground world of South Korean tattoo artists
Uploaded: 2025-10-24T19:21:01.787Z
Duration: 2 min 16 s
Description: In September, Seoul legalized tattoos by non-medical professionals for the first time following a campaign by artists. The documentary ‘Angels’ reveals the underground world of South Korean tattoo artists.

In September, Seoul legalized tattoos by non-medical professionals for the first time following a campaign by artists. The documentary ‘Angels’ reveals the underground world of South Korean tattoo artists.

Seoul

A new documentary titled 'Angels' by Hisham Tuleidrisi and Nancy Wang Mosisa highlights the experiences of South Korean tattoo artists who have operated underground due to longstanding legal and social stigma. Tattoos in South Korea have historically been associated with crime and social outcasts, leading to decades of criminalization for tattoo artists.

Recent legal reforms in Seoul now allow non-medical professionals to legally practice tattooing for the first time, following advocacy by artists. However, the new law will only take effect in two years and requires artists to pass exams, undergo safety training, and maintain records. Despite these changes, many artists still face societal disapproval and uncertainty about their future.

Documentary reveals underground world of South Korean tattoo artists

Tattoos have long been stigmatized in South Korea. Starting over 1,000 years ago, people's crimes or slave status was inked on their face or arms. In the 20th century, they were adopted by criminal gangs. But despite the fact that they were socially taboo and that for more than 30 years being a tattoo artist was a punishable offense, the art has flourished underground, especially since they gained popularity among celebrities and on social media. Last month, Seoul legalized tattoos by non-medical professionals for the first time following a campaign by artists. In Angels, a recent documentary by Hisham Tuleidrisi and Nancy Wang Mosisa, tattooists speak about their years of secret work in the name of their passion. I try to be confident and have nothing to hide. That's my personality. But because there are no laws protecting tattoo artists in Korea, I don't feel safe. Thinking about my life in future, my biggest problem is instability. Artists say their tattoos and work exposed them to disapproval in Korean society, including from their own families. It's a stigma that persists today. Sometimes having tattoos frustrates me. I lived with my grandmother when I was younger. And when I walked by, older people would look at me. They would look at me and see tattoos on my face and start to worry. They were older women, like my grandmother. With the passing of the Tattooist Act, non-medical professionals, who make up most of the industry, will be able to obtain a license to operate in the open. But hurdles remain. The new law will only take effect in two years, with tattoo artists having to pass a national exam, complete safety and hygiene training, and keep detailed records. Changing public attitudes will likely take longer.

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