Celebrities Removing Tattoos: HyunA, Nana, and Han So-hee Share Their Stories

Celebrities who once adorned their bodies with tattoos are now making headlines for choosing to remove them. Stars like HyunA, Nana, and Han So-hee have each embarked on this journey for personal reasons, enduring the pain to erase their inked past.

On October 14, HyunA appeared on Lee Yong-jin's YouTube channel 'Yong Tarot' to share updates on her life post-marriage. Having tied the knot with Yong Jun-hyung last October, HyunA mentioned, "I've gained a bit of happy weight, so I'm dieting again."

HyunA revealed that she has started removing her signature tattoos. "It's been a year since I began removing them. I had tattoos all over my body, and it's taking some time," she said. The decision was influenced by her mother, who suggested, "Why not try living with a clean body for once? You've done everything you wanted." HyunA admitted, "It's very painful. I've had about four sessions and am taking a break now."

Lee Yong-jin also shared his experience, saying, "I started removing my tattoos after having a child. When my kid asked, 'What is this?' I found it hard to explain."

Another star influenced by her mother to remove tattoos is former After School member Nana. In August 2023, she appeared on the YouTube channel 'Jo Hyun-ah's Thursday Night' and shared, "My mother said she wanted to see my clean body again. Although she once allowed me to get tattoos, her words made me decide to remove them."

Nana explained that she got tattoos during a difficult time as a way to express her emotions. Her most meaningful tattoo was '1968' on her ankle, representing her mother's birth year. She has since shown fading tattoo marks on social media and at public events. At the recent '61st Baeksang Arts Awards,' Nana captivated attention with her tattoo-free appearance.

Han So-hee removed her tattoos to further her acting career. Before debuting as an actress, she had tattoos of butterflies and flowers on her wrists and forearms. With her agency's support, she spent approximately 20 million KRW to remove them, although some tattoos remain in areas covered by clothing. She has also shared images of herself with tattoo stickers on social media.

Reflecting on her past, Han So-hee stated, "The me of then is still me, and the me of now is also me. Neither was wrong, nor am I sure I'm living well now." Recently, she made headlines for facial piercings, which she soon removed, expressing regret over enduring the pain.

Removing tattoos involves more cost, pain, and time than getting them. It's a decision that requires careful consideration, and whatever the choice, it should be respected as a personal preference.

By Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr