Why does Korean TV blur or cover up tattoos when people on Korean TV have tattoos on their bodies?
You’ve also noticed that Korean TV often covers up tattoos for artists and singers.
The censorship of Korean television programs is directly linked to what is considered « violent » or « socially unacceptable. »
In South Korea, tattoos are not positively accepted; instead, they are seen as worn by gang members. Therefore, they are completely blurred out just like other violent content is blurred out in other countries.
The same applies to knives. Cigarettes are blurred out so that children don’t learn to smoke.
Explanation of the Korean TV’s stance on tattoos:
- Negative societal perception: In South Korea, tattoos are often associated with negative connotations like gang membership or rebellious behavior. This association has led to a widespread social stigma against tattoos.
- Censorship for a family-friendly image: Korean television strives to maintain a family-friendly image. To achieve this, they censor content that might be considered inappropriate for a general audience, including tattoos.
- Comparison to other censored content: Similar to how violence and explicit content are censored in many countries, tattoos are censored in South Korea to avoid promoting or normalizing behaviors that are seen as socially undesirable.
In essence, the blurring of tattoos on Korean TV reflects the societal attitudes towards tattoos in South Korea and the desire to maintain a certain level of social decorum on television.
keyword : Korean culture, Korean, tattoos