South Korea’s Tattoo Artists Emerge as a Global Creative Force

Pitta KKM aspires to reach the level of global acclaim achieved by artists like Takashi Murakami.

Operating under his real name, Jung-hyun Kim, Pitta KKM is a South Korean tattoo artist whose work draws inspiration from dancheong, the traditional Korean decorative painting found on wooden structures. He envisions his art evolving into a brand as recognizable and influential as Murakami’s, who is celebrated for collaborations with luxury brands and prominent celebrities.

At 30 years old, Pitta KKM commands a following of over 800,000 on Instagram. Over the course of a decade, he has tattooed approximately 3,000 clients, specializing in striking, mandala-inspired designs that have become his signature.

He represents a new wave of Korean tattoo artists who are gaining international prominence amid challenging circumstances at home. Tattooing remains technically illegal in South Korea without a medical license, and domestic demand remains limited. As a result, many artists have relocated abroad to pursue their craft where it is more widely accepted.

Despite the legal restrictions, government estimates suggest there are between 20,000 and 200,000 tattoo practitioners in South Korea. Tattoos are shedding their stigma and increasingly embraced as a form of personal expression. This shift is reflected in popular culture, with well-known K-pop stars such as Jungkook from BTS and G-Dragon of BigBang openly displaying their tattoos, challenging previous norms in the entertainment industry.