Why South Korean tattooists are being marked as criminals
As it promotes its culture abroad, the government locks up artists at home
The unmarked grey door in central Seoul could lead to just another office in South Korea’s capital. Yet behind it Kim Do-yoon creates intricate artwork that has garnered commissions from K-pop stars, chaebol bosses and Hollywood royalty, including Brad Pitt. Better known as Doy, the tattooist is careful not to advertise the presence of his studio. For each of his artworks is also a crime.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Art in the dark”
From the May 13th 2023 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Asia
By resisting arrest, South Korea’s president challenges democracy
His attempt to impose martial law failed. But Yoon Suk Yeol is still causing trouble
How 1.4bn Indians are adapting to climate change
As heat, floods and drought get worse, people are getting creative
Economic bright spots are getting harder to find in Thailand
Falling car production is a sign of a deeper malaise
Another accidental aircraft shootdown is a matter of when, not if
The spread of conflict in Asia threatens the safety of air travellers
Why you’re not on holiday in India right now
A fabulous destination for foreign tourists does little to lure them
Singapore’s government is determined to keep hawker centres alive
Why is the city-state’s bare-bones government running a bureaucracy of stir-fries?