what are your thoughts on tattoos in general? watch the full video where they go in depth HERE: patreon.com/kexplorer make me famous on instagram: Instagram: instagram.com/jerry.ric/
It believe it's up the individual. I don't have any and don't ever plan to have any. I believe it's a personal choice. I think they can be meaningful and beautiful but some are just not my taste in art. I have friends with tattoo's and my father had one on his arm he got when he as in the army. Our adopted daughter had a huge leopard print tattoo down her back and both her arms.
I find it hilarious that while it's illegal to tattoo someone without a medical license, it's legal to get tattooed. So basically as far as the law is concerned, people get tattooed by magical fairies.
A lot of people use tattoos to cover up things like scars etc it’s not just aesthetics. When it comes to talking about someone else’s body my general rule is that other people’s bodies are none of my business. Just like my body is none if theirs
People are free to get tats but I'm also free to not choose women who have tons of tats. There's been a proven correlation with having many tattoos and mental illness, the more tats they have the more mental issues they have that I don't want to experience. To me having a shit load of tattoos is equivalent to having many warning signs so I'm thankful for the warning.
@@dredgewalker ur entitled to your own opinion but like whenever u see a woman with lots of tats irl or online do u just comment "ew i wouldn't date you cuz you have lots of tats and are mentally ill" or?😂
@@GR4V3YRD Don't need to as I'm already married, I'm speaking from experience due to my crazy ex's and my aunt iwning a tattoo shop. Hey if you like tattoed women that's fine, just don't complain if they eff up your life. Also simping for 304's is pathetic
@@dredgewalker my guy i was just asking wth u going on Abt 304's for?? Sorry Abt ur ex and shit i was genuinely curious tf. And any women can fuck up someones life not just some tatted up one, sorry u experienced the worst with them
I'd say having tattoos is a red flag (especially on women), it shows a follower mentality, need for attention, lack of respect for ones body, and poor decisions making (cause most people's taste will change with age and they will usually always regret them). Right of passage or earned tattoos of merit are a different story.
@@beeman7711You should be more tolerant and less judgemental. I have a full sleeve because it helps me love my body again as someone with scars due to a disease. Just be kinder to other humans it's not that difficult
@@myk7048 Oh yeah, I forgot to list insecurity as a reason. Well, I usually keep my judgments to myself so they don't hurt anyone, and I don't treat anyone differently because they have them... EVEYONE has them these days. I have seen amazing tattoos where they flow with one matching theme over the body, but most people get mix matched designs... looking like a toilet stall at CBGBs, my ex had tons of tattoos, she is such a beautiful woman, it made me want to cry... she could've been a model, she strongly regretted getting them. Idk why anyone would want to cover their scars... they're beautiful imo. Scars are my tattoos.
I worked in Korea with many government officials in a professional setting for around 6 years, and never received any hate for my tattoos. However, I did almost get kicked out of a Buddhist temple that I was given the opportunity to stay at for a few weeks. One of the monks reported to a lead figure that I had tattoos when I changed into their clothing, and it was such an eye opening experience for me. Luckily, I was able to convince them that they were only "fashion" tattoos and nothing gang related, and I was allowed to stay. At the end of my stay there, a monk I had grown close to actually gave me a suggestion for a future tattoo, after he learned about me. Other than that, I mostly received compliments on them! Getting tattooed there was also such a unique experience. And I agree, it was farrr cheaper than any of my tattoos from America.
@@emptykeksdose I'd grown a good relationship to one older monk while there through lots of meditation and conversations. It looked like it physically pained him to even suggest it to me, lol, but on my second to last day he just suddenly said (translated), "I know what you should get for your next tattoo." I was so surprised, lol. He told me that I should get a tattoo of the Korean Phoenix, the 봉황, next to two lines from a Korean poem that speaks of perseverance and blooming despite hardships. I did get the two lines from the poem tattooed in Korea about a week later, but I have not yet gotten the Korean Phoenix! I have the design worked out perfectly, but am waiting to find the perfect artist who can do it well, so I can treasure it most!
@@Maisonnette-y4r It is called Baekryunsa (백련사) Temple. It is located near Gangjin-gun (강진군), far in the South. I was there because of my job, so I didn't have any fees to cover personally. So, I'm not sure if it was free or if it was something my company had covered. I do remember hearing that they don't generally allow visitors to stay, we were some of the first and it was a special experience. But, this was a few years ago, so it could have changed by now. Either way, it's worth a day trip if you're ever that far South. It's gorgeous! I'll absolutely go back again for a day sometime.
I am a therapist and I personally know professionals such as doctors, lawyers, teachers author w tats.. covered up of course in professional attire! I even met a female mayor who to my surprise was tatted too.
Yeah. This is perfectly normal now. A pastor I know has tattoos all over his body. He was a gangster in the past, but he became a Christian in prison, got out of prison, and went to college to major in theology. And he became the pastor of a small church. I hate that pastor for personal reasons, but tattoos are just art in 2023 anyway.
One of the top execs at my company (large global company) has lots of tattoos. He likes showing them off with rolled up sleeves and such during company wide meetings. Why not, and his sleeve is really well done.
Yup! I had a teacher (I went to a school for adults a few years ago to redo my degree) and his arm was completely tattoed. He was by FAR the best teacher we had, extremely popular amongst students. He was also the best graduate from his university (we looked it up online, he was 40, so he was quite young). And he also was a devoted christian working for the local church. So no 'tattooed person' stereotype fit him
The guy who emigrated to the US said really wise words. If people avoid you because of the tattoos then it means that you don't need them in your life anyway!! I'm still a minor but when i turn 18 i want to get tattoed, i've been thinking about it for years actually... i love tattoos and the people that really care about me won't mind :)
This reminds me of when I first started getting tattooed in England 20-ish years ago when it was still frowned upon to have a lot of tattoos, lots of stares and judgment about "how you'll regret them", "you'll never be hired for a job" etc, and now years later it's completely commonplace (although you do still get the occasional comment). It'll be the same with Korea too, especially with the rise of their idols and influencers openly displaying tattoos in public.
I’m glad tattoos are more common and accepted now. It pisses me off when people are gatekeepers of tattoos especially when it comes to the hands, necks, and face. I’m 32 and employers were so strict about visible tattoos and piercings. Finally in the past two years restrictions have been lifted drastically because they’ve been having a hard time hiring because everyone has visible body art now. It also helps that the older people (boomers) who have the biggest issue with ink are retiring.
I’m heavily tattooed and spent almost 2 months in Korea both in cities and rural areas and I actually didn’t have any negative interactions about them. Only 2 people even approached me about them and it was a positive interaction. Oddly enough I’ve had more negative interactions here in the US. Of course my experience is purely based on being a fairly quiet soft spoken foreigner, so take it with a grain of salt.
@rich carter OH yea. Exactly why I mentioned my experience was specific to being a foreigner. I also didn't have any issues going to jjimjilbang either. I know some foreigners traveling there might be concerned about tattoos for things like that.
I always wanted to ask how the life for a disabled person in Seoul and I was happy to see a few people on the street in the background of this video. This might seem random but I was curious as I will visit soon and I didn’t find much content on social on this topic. :)
@@KExplorer Yes please do! I became paralyzed in 2021 but with physical therapy can finally get in a wheelchair. South Korea is in my bucket list but I want to make sure it’s wheelchair friendly first.
Seoul and Busan subway as well as the KTX trains connecting different cities should be okay, but there are usually multiple entrances at each subway station and only one has a lift. Buses are not always accessible, especially in the smaller towns, but even in cities like Incheon. The museums I've been to in Seoul, Jeonju and Gyeongju were wheelchair accessible. Restaurants are a mixed bag. Supermarkets are okay, convenience stores can be an issue. Accessible bathrooms might only be available at the train station, depending on where you are. Seoul has some pretty steep hills too.
My korean boyfriend and I both have tattoos, he has some on his neck so i was expecting a lot of looks and/or comments while i was visiting there. I was surprised it only happened once, and it was an older lady who kind of jokingly said "your mother must be so happy/proud". He also has no problem finding jobs in kitchens and bars and usually the owners are old ladies :') I don't think people are as judgy anymore as they once were
My wife and I came to Korea with no tat about 2 years ago. Now we are heavily tattooed. People do look a bit more and I even had an old woman come and harass me once but it seems like most people don't really care. The most hypocritical thing is that Korean people get all the cosmetic surgeries they want and are praised for it but I'm judged for inking art onto my skin. Even permanent makeup or scalp tattoos are normal here which is quite strange tbh.
I agree with the main message, but I gotta say that people who get cosmetic surgery aren't praised for it in Korea. There have been derogatory terms about people who get cosmetic surgeries for years, such as Gangnam Unni (older sister created in Gangnam cosmetic surgery clinics), Injo Ingan (artificial human), etc. People praise pretty or handsome actors or singers only when they can prove that they didn't get heavy cosmetic surgery, which is done by showing their childhood photos. By this, I'm not denying that Korea has a huge cosmetic surgery industry. But this is also because Korea absorbs the patients from other Asian countries (e.g., when you enter cosmetic surgery clinics in Gangnam almost always have Chinese signs along with Korean). And there are people who are addicted to cosmetic surgery, who are the regular customers at those places, but mostly those people are looked down upon. So I don't think "The most hypocritical thing is that Korean people get all the cosmetic surgeries they want and are praised for it" is at all, yet foreigners who actually don't know how the Korean public feels (other than watching some RU-vids or news articles written by foreigners). That said, tattoos are accepted among young people, and I've never seen someone in their twenties or thirties look down on it. At the same time, people who are more conservative about tattoos are also tend to be much more conservative about cosmetic surgery (usually older people)
I live in America and I get these same reactions towards having tattoos when I go to the southern states. I was over in SC for a business trip and was out on a lunch break getting coffee. I walked into the shop and immediately saw this elder lady's jaw drop when she saw my tattoos ( I have two half sleeves + more), and then she quickly looked away and wouldn't make eye contact. Other than the owner of the shop (who was younger and really nice), the rest of the customers stole glances at me and wouldn't make eye contact. It was a really interesting experience since tattoos are widely accepted in the state I live in and I often get the opposite reaction where people will come up to me and tell me that they like my ink. 😅
You might be overthinking it. At the end of the day , everyone has their own problems. Most people walking around have their own issues they are worrying about so some people don’t make eye contact.
@@anthonyfam5469 I can agree with people having things going on and not making eye contact. But I also know when people are uncomfortable around me because of my tattoos and such. It doesn't bother me and I don't look down on the other person for the way they act toward me. 🙂
I think its an older generation thing everywhere. My grandma also dislikes my tattoos (and crazy haircolors) but she started to accept it at one point😂even my dad who is super open minded was a lil shocked when I showed him my face tattoo lol. But its becoming more and more accepted everywhere. 20 years ago people said ''if you're visibly tattooed then you'll never get a ''good'' job'' but thats a thing from the past as well. Nowadays there are doctors, lawyers, bank clerks, teachers etc who are tattoed and no one really cares
Seriously man your channel has become my favourite on RU-vid! Great content and you interview the people so well. Keep up the good work and hope you get a lot more subscribers because you deserve it!! ❤
As Korean, we go to sauna quite often. Back in the 1990’s there were bunch of real gang whose back is covered with crazy dragon tattoos. They also go to sauna and it was quite unpleasant experience because they do shitty thing what makes people uncomfortable. That’s why when someone see you covered with ink a lot, it’s embarrassing. Of course judgement is wrong and I’m trying not to be, but frankly speaking I’m still kinda scared even though I’m not gonna stare at people who has inked.
Judgement is not wrong. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is the most naive shit ever. Especially when the cover is all you have access to with 99% of people you encounter. Just be as nice as possible to people without getting taken advantage of. You don’t have to feel bad if that’s the way you feel right now.
@@user-cnksi223 they try to intimidate people people by being loud and obnoxious and show off their gang affiliation. this is why many saunas have banned people with tattoos from entering their establishment.
I love tattoos. Asian men inked up are super hot😻🫶😽😘🥵 what's crazy to me about South Korean culture is pot is looked down but being an alcoholic isn't. Huge drinking culture down there. Even in the west alcoholism isn't a good thing. Mental health is another issue that tragically gets a bad rap. They need to look into that as a society and encourage each other to seek help and being accepting without judgement. This includes treatment like medicine.
Alcohol always was a part of Korean culture, but inks haven't. They were mainly used by criminals or Japanese mafia. That's why they still have this kind of thinking. It just makes sense in that aspect.
I love the innocence of how at 05:04 the girl explains how the grandma on the subway took out a wetwipe...but the subtitle says 'she took out a whip...' 😆😆😁😁😁 The two girls interviewed from 00:45 are lovely and they suit their tattoos. DJ Drako is 😍😍 I love pple with them as it adds character.. and for me personally it makes guys visually interesting...and many tattoos are so beautifully designed. 👍👍👍 Of course I still love pple whom don't have any!! 😁🤗❤️❤️. I just appreciate body art. Interesting interview thou, good job Jerry.
Yall should have interviewed me. I’m a heavily tattooed Asian-American living in South Korea. I have a ton crap of awful horror stories that I could have told you ahaha!
I follow a bunch of South Korean tattoo artists on IG, as I agree with the person that mentioned that they are incredibly talented. I am hoping when I visit Korea for the first time I can get a tattoo from one of them! amaaazing content as per usual!! Thanks!!
For real, there are so many incredible tattoo artists in Korea! Not only has my Korean tattoo held up the nicest among my other tattoos from America, but it also had the quickest and easiest healing phase of all my tattoos.
I’m pretty covered from chest to fingers / legs etcetc I went to Korea last September for 3 weeks (my 3rd time 1st and 2nd time I barely had tattoos ) So going this time being heavily tattooed and black actually I thought I would get stares and judgement this time compared to the first 2 times I went when I had barely any !! it’s was a great trip and comfortable as usual !! I even got 2 tattoos whist I was there !! I defo saw more tattoos on people this time so I think it’s becoming more acceptable
similar experience here! i went there last september and have a sleeve now that i didn't have when i went before and was soo surprised how many tatted korean students were walking around this time around!! really nice to see tbh!
the moment Jerry went "it is sexy" was so cute. also, I once spent a month in my hometown (Shupashkar) in 35+ degree heat and crazy humidity, wearing long everything to hide my tattoos from my grandparents. Normally, I live in London & even here people on public transport literally stare at the mountains I have tattooed on my lower neck.
Such an interesting topic and interview. The tattoo artist that asked the "grandma" if she would marry him, made me laugh. Curious, why are tattoos illegal in South Korea?
Tattoos aren’t illegal, what’s illegal is to tattoo without a medical license because they consider it a procedure. And realistically, most people won’t pay for a medical degree just to turn around and tattoo for a living, so they have a lot of undercover spots. Basically high scale basement tats 😅
It's looked down on because tattoos are seen as gang affiliation. Mafia. I'm Mexican and my momma still hates em and sees it as a gang thing . The only reason I don't have it is I change my mind alot. I'm not into the commitment. 😊
I visited Korea in 2019, and I have several tattoos. I was only there a short time (1 month) but I did not have any negative reactions. I had Koreans compliment my tattoos, telling me how pretty they were. Even older ladies. I was surprised. I met a few Koreans with tattoos also, and they were so happy to show them to me. It was nice.
Tattoos (when they are high-quality) are one of the forms of Art, period. It is so wild when people say they are uncomfortable being near people with tattoos. It is more wild if a person with tattoos will hide them to make others feel comfortable. It is self-denial/self-hate and subconsciously agreeing with the stereotypes for me. Personally, it is hard to find a tattoo artist with a style I like in Korea. There are many small or thin-lined tattoos (and some lack quality for me..) but I need someone with a rich, unique style. I found a couple of artists but their prices were ridiculously, inadequately high. I have quality tattoos and I got them for an adequate price for the size and the design. I guess I will get my next tattoo when I travel abroad.
American and got my first tattoo here in Korea. Found the place by an Instagram profile, specifically after searching for shops that were willing go do foreigners and made arrangements on Facebook messenger. After having been asked when I applied for a job in Korea if I had any tattoos or piercings(ears pierced shortly after birth&unconcealable) and witnessing a co-worker being forced to wear long sleeves to work even during the sweltering summer months due to having a forearm tattoo, I chose to get the tattoo on my upper back. I have only ever intentionally showed the tattoo to close friends, but occasionally my shirt has fallen off my shoulder and kids and adults at work ask in shock "You have a tattoo?!" I hurry to hitch my shirt back on my shoulder and insist I don't, because while my place of employment tolerates my pierced ears, a tattoo would make too many tongues wag.
I think this is what I like about Bali, I'm from the western part of Indonesia and decided to live in Bali since a few years ago. When i got my first tattoo and still living in the capital, I still got a lot of judge stares. But in Bali, sooo many people get tattooed, to the point it's not something special. Tattoos are seen as simply art. So no one really give a damn whenever someone with tattoos walks by. Love it.
I'm heavy tattooed and lived in Korea on and off also and people was pretty nice even old people get curious and ask me questions, I never felt like someone stare me in a bad way ( at least i din't notice). It's true some people get kinda in shock, but now is more common see people heavy tattooed in Korea also.. But let's talk about the quality of ink also, isn't the same get tattoos pretty bad done or dark ones than someone who get a really nice one like as a piece of art. Quality and the way you wear it sais a lot!
I think that this video exemplifies that you should just pursue your passions, and if you encounter criticism because of it, you shouldn't take it too seriously.
I have a full sleeve and whenever I visit Korea, I wear long sleeve shirts... even in the summer. Yes, as an artist, it is sort of a self-censorship but it's a personal preference and making those around me feel more comfortable. You can take the guy out of the collective mentality, but you can't take the collective mentality out of the guy... at least in my case.
Im from australia where tattoos are more socially accepted and im tattoo’d whole body and being in korea, I’ve seen more people that’s heavily tattoo’d then back in australia 😂 also everyone there that does have tattoos have really cool and good quality ones, korea does have the best tattoo artists in the world
omfg the world is so small ahah i was like..chanel looks familiar and when she said she's from switzerland i was like omg. i'm from the same town as her, have seen her occasionally but mostly know her from social media because if you are into tatts and are from zurich, switzerland you know of her. Didn't expect to see her here haha
Such interesting information.... I do believe that first person at 0:08 said "wet wipe" instead of "whip" though, haha. I hope old ladies are not carrying whips around South-Korea ;)
Countries like Japan have places that will forbid entry for inked people, but Korea is a little more accepting for sure. Do your research before you travel 👍
@@Mel-jj1rg in a sense that it is legal, Japan is a steps ahead of Korea, but it is still frowned upon and can be of disadvantage in many ways. (which applies to many countries)
🎉definitely glad the skin and tattoos are more naturalized in the views of the public. except the one generation whom make kimche on the sidewalks in the middle of the street . It either way the trend is definitely more accepting and find over more than the negative light❤
I am surprised people feel like they are being treated or perceived differently in Korea - I do not know of a country that does NOT have stereotypes around tattoos/body modifications. Koreans thinks of tattoos just like any other people/ethnic group/race/nationality around the world. You will find people that accept you with your body modifications and people that do not, regardless of nationality.
Actually, there is a difference in HOW badly and widely tattoos are viewed as a bad thing. Yes, every country has it's tattoo haters and what not. I live in Finland and it's more common to have a tattoo than not to have a tattoo. It's completely normal here to even see someone work in a bank or a real estate company with a body full of tattoos. You barely get judged here with tattoos. But in some other countries, there would be no way you could get a normal job with any visible tattoos.
The American girl trying to start the American drama in South Korea I completely doubt that the Korean lady in the Train try to clean her tattoo lol They’re too respectful.
My previous employer and her closed friend/ employee had the same reaction when they saw my tats... You have a tattoo? Sounding like why you have a tattoo? And then adding that our customer might be afraid. The ignorance of them.
I had tattoos at 14 in the US and had my whole left arm, chest, upper legs done at 17 still working on my right arm and eventually my neck. had fully blasted hands at 17/18 lol I regret nothing
I like the video being on the topic of tattoos, but I feel like the video might be a tad too long. Just because we are getting the same answers from people!
I have a fair number of tattoos , living in the suburbs of chicago I don’t usually hear anything about it from anyone : but I was at a Japanese restaurant, and the owner came up to me and said that my tattoos would mean I am associated with the mafia in Japan . I didn’t ask his opinion , but he was clearly judging me . I laughed .
I thought it was no longer illegal in South Korea. I know it's very much looked down upon and those who are artists eg actors, singers are not supposed to have tattoo's and if they do have them will often be asked to 'Cover them up' when they appear on TV. However there is a 7 member South Korean Band that is now a global super stars that all have at least one tattoo. One member sporting a full sleeve and his hand is also Tattooed. He's the ambassador for Calvin Klein and his tattoo sleeve is clearly shown. Only once has he had to try and cover his hand tattoo while at an Televised Music Award Show. So I it's pretty clear that perceptions are changing regrading Tattoos especially among the younger generations.
(Posting this here too so that people who want tattoos but are scared of being judged will see this and hopefully be inspired to ignore ignorant people) Ummm… You can’t force someone with mental health issues to stay single because that’s basically saying they don’t have the right to, due to being ill. In a nice way Unless medically for their safety. And you can’t ASSUME that all people who are tattooed are bad or suffer with mental health problems because of bad experiences you had. I have a full body of tattoos and I DON’T have any mental health problems, I’m just inspired by art and have things that I’ve taken a liking to… so why I’m in that category I don’t know😅 and no I don’t regret getting them, I carefully planned what I wanted and I’m happy and I look after them too. So before you get a tattoo carefully take the time to decide what design you want and placement, don’t just jump in guns blazing because you will regret doing that. Ps your tattoo doesn’t have to have meaning you can look at a painting and be inspired to have something similar to that design. Also research the aftercare because that can ruin your tattoo especially the sun…it will fade. I’ve never had anyone come up to me or walk away from me in public, demanding to know if I have mental health problems just because of a group of sheep going around assuming and saying not some but all tattooed people are bad.. because of X Y and Z… one assumption dose not fit all. If anything I’ve had people run up to me asking me what inspired me to have a John wick tattoo, alien isolation tattoo and who my artist was. Just because YOU had a bad experience with someone who has tattoos and mental health problems DOESN’T mean EVERYONE should be put into the same category and labelling them as BAD. Because That’s slightly insulting us tattooed community just because of some random person’s assumptions or bad experiences with someone else who has. And having tattoos isn’t a way to make us look tough to some yeah but to all no… it’s artwork that we got inspired by and people get coverups because one they either didn’t look after it properly and it faded, two they decided they got bored of it. And people have no right to say that people with mental health problems shouldn’t date, people should date someone who is willing to support them and help them (and no before you say I’m not obligated to do so, I mean that someone who has chose to do so because they care) yeah it can be pretty shitty at times but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve love too. I believe that People should also speak up about having mental health problems because it helps YOU to avoid heartless D*cks that just want someone for their personal gain. people who really care about other people will want to be there for you because they see you as a person and not an invisible ghost. (And yes people can have preferences too) but that doesn’t mean that you should shame the person for having eg tattoos or mental health problems and forcing them to be a copy of your imaginary fairy tail looking person because that’s impossible and people shouldn’t have to change themselves for your convenience. It goes both ways for both genders. Because the amount of comments from other videos like this one and talking about a certain topic like this one, they expect people (mostly women) to be completely perfect looking and not have anything wrong with them or somehow magically never be ill… again we are people not a fairy tail with obligations. I hate how people put other people into categories and saying that one is bad so all of them are bad just because they had a bad experience. I also hate how people judge others just because they did something that someone else wouldn’t do or look a certain way they hate (let’s say tattoos for one) and going out of their way to make it an obligation for others to comply and change themselves for other peoples standards… like what? (Kindness costs nothing) (Edit) at the end of the day, other people’s body’s isn’t other people’s responsibility. And they have no right to make assumptions. So if you want tattoos and is scared of the sheep that’s making assumptions about how all tattooed people have so called mental health problems when they don’t or they tell you that nobody will love you is also a lie because they can’t control other peoples preferences. So you go and get those tattoos because it’s ARTWORK for the things you love or have been inspired by.
I lived in Korea for a year with tattoos. For work i had to cover them all. I also couldnt show even a hint of cleavage as a D cup. Summer was awful with that many clothes!
I think that delinquint/thug sterotype is fairly common when it comes to tatoos. There are still plenty of the older generations in America who feel that way. Everything from prison tats to motorcycle gangs. TBF, those are a thing, but I think Gen X and younger are more inclined to see it as a personal form of expression and/or art.
I am heavily tattooed, as soon as I got out the airport in SK an old woman saw me and was open mouthed, just screaming at me, I smiled and waved, saying hello, and moved on. No one else seemed too bothered by my tattoos during my visit, no one made it obvious at least!
cuz back then, tatoo was only for ganmembers in Korea. of course older generations look at ppl with tatoo not in a postive way. those perspectives are changing now and younger generation are very open to it. i wanted to have one at 20. but failed due to expensive cost😂 anyway, it all depends person by person. yes. still foreigners are accepted in different standard for sure.
I live in Japan and almost the same story as korea . Here they don't allow you to enter certain places like gym , Onsen and i public pools. I'm heavy tattoo wit irezumi wich is the traditional Japanese style that's the one japanese are scared of because it has a negative connotation. Even though i live here for 16 years i never had any big problem s as long as you cover them up. I the west people think tattoo and japanese irezumi are the same but once you live here you will see there are big difference.
i had a big dragon tattoo on my left arm, lettering tattoo on my chest, big tiger tattoo on my back, goblin tattoo on my left ass, and Lettering tattoo on my right ass. And I'm a very good guy.