Tattoo methods that you can learn in a single day, called "tattoo one-day classes," are increasing. As these courses even have people tattoo themselves in "self tattoos," questions are being raised about safety and responsibility.
As of the 7th, more than 1,000 posts on social media (SNS) carry the hashtag (#) for tattoo one-day classes. Most focus on the handpoke (manual needle) method, proceeding in the order of learning basic theory and design creation, followed by practice on rubber sheets.
In particular, many courses allow self tattoos at the end of the class. Usually, a small tattoo the size of a finger joint is done. While instructors recommend areas like the palm where traces tend to fade relatively lightly, some choose the arm or leg.
Tuition for tattoo one-day classes runs about 100,000–200,000 won. That is not much different from the expense of getting a tattoo of similar size. Instead, they tout the experience of engraving a tattoo yourself as a strength. On SNS, you can easily find participant reviews such as, "I felt proud to ink a drawing symbolizing my pet directly on my body."
The problem is that it is hard to become proficient at tattooing with only a one-day course. It has been reported that in self tattoos, issues such as blurring or asymmetry occur, leading some to return to a professional tattooist for a redo.
In some cases, removal costs even more. Depending on whether color is used and the design, it can cost hundreds of thousands of won. If an unskilled person injects ink deep into the flesh, removal itself may become difficult.
Tattooists said one-day tattoo classes are booming as competition intensifies. Many said that especially steering people toward self tattoos through a one-day course goes too far.
Tattooist A, with 10 years of experience, said, "Tattooing ink into the skin is an irreversible act, and making people perform procedures after a one-day training is irresponsible."
Tattooist B also said, "Tattooing requires both hygiene and technique, and inducing the general public to perform procedures is dangerous," adding, "It is a phenomenon that has emerged as industry competition intensifies, but it is concerning at a time when legalization is ahead."
Legal standards around self tattoos are also ambiguous. Currently, tattoo procedures are classified as medical practice and can legally be performed only by doctors. Even after the Tattooist Act takes effect on Oct. 29, 2027, only those who obtain a national license will be allowed to perform tattoo procedures.
The industry sees the tattoo market as expanding rapidly amid a regulatory vacuum, with self tattoos and training becoming intertwined.
Im Boran, chair of the Korea Tattooists Association, said, "Rather than one-day classes focused on low-skilled members of the public, trained personnel should be in charge of training and procedures," adding, "For the tattooist exam the government will implement going forward, it is necessary to strengthen requirements for completing certain training and to focus more on practical skills than written tests."