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Paper short abstract

Majority of tattooists in South Korea depend on cooperation and collaboration in order to start and maintain their businesses. Focusing on the tattoo scene in Korea, this research explores the links between cooperation, collaboration and competition.

Paper long abstract

In South Korea (hereafter Korea) obtaining a tattooist licence presents a challenge for aspiring tattoo artists. Constitutionally, tattooing is considered as a medical procedure which can only be performed by medical professionals. Thus, majority of tattooists in Korea are unable to legalize their practice. Although the tattoo scene in Korea is not visible, it is thriving and attracting both Korean and international clients. Public discourse analysis shows that many aspiring tattooists rely on a network of local and international tattoo artists in order to obtain knowledge about tattooing, and to stay up-to-date with industry regulations, since they are unable to do so via legal channels. In recent years, there has been a shift in Korean society’s attitude towards tattoos. In parallel with this shift, Korea’s General Assembly passed the “Tattooist Act” in September 2025, which will become effective within two years. “Tattooist Act” allows non-medical professionals to obtain a tattooing licence. Firstly, I investigate the current state of the tattoo scene in Korea. Specifically, I focus on how the collaboration among Korean tattooists, as well as their collaboration with international tattooists, define the tattoo industry in Korea. Then, I shift my focus to the anticipated change in Korean constitution. Once tattooist as a profession becomes more commonplace, and once tattoo businesses become more visible, will the network of Korean tattoo artists become competitors instead of collaborators in Korea’s neoliberal environment? By focusing on the tattoo scene in Korea, I aim to explore the links between cooperation, collaboration and competition.