It was reported that Amber recently failed her Army physical during an episode of Real Men, because of a tattoo on her arm. The tattoo in question was 7 cm long (2.8 inches) and from her wrist to mid-forearm.
photo credit: Koreaboo
Now, this got me thinking. If 3 inches was too much (haha) for the Army, what is going to happen to other idols that have tattoos and HAVE to enter the Army?
As you know, it is required for Korean men to enter the military. It doesn’t matter if you are famous, infamous or otherwise. If you’re born in Korea, a male and are healthy, you gotta go. Mandatory. No ifs, ands, or buts.
BUT… if tattoos are frowned upon in the Korean Army, what’s going to happen to all those idols that have them? I’m not talking about the cute, girl style tattoos that can be easily hidden. I’m talking about…
photo credit: realkpoptattoos tumblr
photo credit: Koreaboo
photo credit: hellokpop
I know, I KNOW there is a crap ton more, but for the sake of time, I just put some of the ones that I know had arm tattoos. Jay Park isn’t there because I don’t think he has to go into the Army since he was born in America. Unless he gave up his citizenship. Which would probably change things? I don’t know.
When ajummah was younger and serving active duty in the United States Navy, there wasn’t really a restriction on tattoos. As a matter of fact, some of my best ink happened while I was serving. Now, however, things have changed. This makes me wonder if that is how it is in Korea. Was it ever acceptable to be inked in the Army? What caused it to change and when? I know South Korea is considered conservative which makes me think large tattoos isn’t something they really smile upon.
Maybe idols getting larger tattoos in visible places has something to do with what they are exposed to? Idols working with entertainment people from Western countries will see something they like or they think is cool, so they emulate. Kids from Korea see idols with large tattoos, think it’s cool, so they run out and get the same (or similar) thing.
Surely the Korean military won’t tell every idol with a large tattoo on their arm, they’ve failed their physical and, therefore, are disqualified from entering? Right? I’ve tried looking up information on this matter but haven’t been successful finding much. If someone who’s reading this happens to know more details about this, please contact me and let me know, because I’m so curious.
A small part of me wonders if this is some elaborate scheme to get out of military service. Hey, it could happen! Probably. Maybe? Okay not really, but the thought did pass through my mind.
My final question is: what is the big deal about tattoos? So what there is some ink on a person’s body? Does that have anything to do with a person’s character? Let me know your thoughts on the matter!
photo credit: bigbangworld
8 Comments
Really interesting to think about. I wonder what the exact requirements are? Is it just the size of the visible (forearm/face/neck) tattoos?
I found this article from 2003 about it, that talked a bit more about the context. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/draft-dodging-south-korean-style/
I’m guessing tattoos were not as prevalent in the Korean military as in the US military!
Yes, I believe it has something to do with a person’s character, but definitely NOT in a negative aspect. Having ink in the body might be a form of art, a way of self-expression, a way of professing one’s faith, among others. Though it has been stereotyped in some other countries, specially Asian, that having one is some kind of a deviance. However, in my opinion, having a tattoo should not be a reason to judge somebody. There are so many people whom I’ve known to be very faithful and religious despite being dressed in tattoos. It’s just a matter of how we perceive being “conservative”.
Anyway, I have a tiny tattoo at my nape.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/south-korea/090717/tattoos-underground
This says some about it…
For the US military, tattoos must be at least a year old before enlisting to safeguard against possible disease transferred through needles. They also don’t allow offensive designs or ones which can’t be covered by the uniform. Once you pass basic training, however, you can get as many as you want. Personally, I love tattoos and like to talk to other people the meaning behind their ink. I have 6 so far (3 on each arm), and plan to get more.
It’s funny you showed G-Dragons heart tattoo as right now it looks like he is removing it, to fans at least. I wonder if he really is and if it could possibly be because of military service.
It was there when I wrote the article. I’m not sure why he would be removing it now unless it’s because of the military. I know some types of tattoos aren’t acceptable.
May you please explain the “some” types of tattoos that aren’t accepted in the Korean Military? Thank You!
Curiouser about the topic after reading this.