The boom in personal expression has been positive for tattoos in Korean society.

Korea, while not quite as conservative as Japan, still carries many negative tattoo connotations, however, their tattoo scene is beginning to flourish with cool design ideas, students and ex-pats, and enthusiasts looking for ink.

In Korean antiquity, tattoos were often used by the superstitious to ward against evil, however, much like in Europe, they became maligned and then used to brand criminals.

Korea is growing a cool contemporary tattoo culture. 

As the complexity of designs evolve and more artists choose tattooing as a pursuit, Korean ink will continue to develop, much like the American neo-traditional style has built on old-school ink principles.

The following gallery of top 41 Korean Tattoo Ideas depicts great examples of the cultural shift in ink attitudes and may provide inspiration for your next piece of body art.

1. Cute Korean Tattoo Ideas

Source: @antstattoo_shyn via Instagram

Source: @charmcity_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @eins_tattooer via Instagram

Source: @mmimi.tattoo2 via Instagram

Source: @mmimi.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @myothertattoos via Instagram

Source: @ryo.ha_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @tattooist_wonni via Instagram

Source: @xinamon_tattoo via Instagram

2. Delicate Korean Tattoo Art

Source: @gemma_tattooer via Instagram

Source: @mmimi.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @sida_ink via Instagram

Source: @tattooer_manda via Instagram

Source: @wujinyoo via Instagram

3. Korean Tattoo Ideas Featuring Dragons

Source: @zazhax via Instagram

Source: @daniltattoo via Instagram

Source: @jinjin_black__ via Instagram

Source: @kimsany_black via Instagram

Source: @mongehan via Instagram

Source: @tattooer_manda via Instagram

Source: @yeodam.tattooer via Instagram

4. Korean Tattoo Ideas with Flowers

Source: @amijok via Instagram