No matter what your parents may have said about body art growing up, most people reach adulthood knowing the truth, tattoos are cool. They can be a very strong form of self expression, one more powerful than simply slapping on a pin or walking around with a vague slogan on your jacket. They can also just be pretty cute or just plain awesome. Some people just pick something they think is neat and get it done, while others toss and turn for months trying to decide on the perfect design. Hopefully in the end, you wind up with something you’re happy with, even proud of. But some people don’t get quite what they asked for, or realize too late that maybe they should have just gone with a flower or a bird. Here are some of those people.
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Korea is a weird place, but we still love it. Koreans are notorious for caring about tradition A LOT and having too many social rules or taboos. One of these taboos is having a tattoo. These traditions have been around for a long time, but the newer generation is slowly beginning to evolve beyond them. Korean Idols—pop stars and celebrities in Korea—are among the biggest rebels of these traditions. Here’s a list of our favorite tattoo-donning rebels.
Japan Times
1. Jung Dae-hyun, AKA Daehyun. Daehyun is one of the most beloved K-Pop singers in Korea. He is best known as a member of group, B.A.P. (Best Absolute Perfect). Below is a picture of his “HOLD” tattoo in all-caps on his right wrist. No one knows exactly what it means—he doesn’t talk about it and likes to keep it secret—but many have speculated it’s a reminder for which hand he should hold his mic.
Koreaboo
2. Lee Chan-hee, AKA Chunji. This 23-year-old pop singer is a member of TEEN TOP. Chunji tries to keep tattoo hidden at all times, to such a point where some fans don’t even know he has one. If you can’t see it, the tattoo say “This, too, shall pass away” in cursive on his right shoulder. The meaning behind the tattoo is probably related to the old English adage “This too shall pass”.
Koreaboo
3. Ahn Jae-Hyo, AKA Jaehyo. Jaehyo is a vocalist for the Korean boy group Block B. Jaehyo considers himself a wild child, and has a tattoo to prove it. The tattoo is on his left wrist. It has the letters “KR,” which most have guessed to mean “Korean Ramen”—which he loves to eat—or possibly even the name of an old girlfriend. When asked about the tattoo, Jaehyo shoos the question away, stating he “doesn’t stand for anything”.
Koreaboo
4. Lee Sanghyuk, AKA Dawon. Dawon is a member of the Korean boy group SF9 (Sensational Feeling 9). His tattoo is on the left side of his chest. It’s never been fully revealed—he tries to keep it secret, but it’s been seen when he wears see-through shirts. The only visible letters are “Graz” in a gangster font. Most people believe it simply says “Grazie”.
Koreaboo
Keep reading for more K-Idol tattoos
