South Korean artist Hongdam offers an alternative to big and garish tattoo designs. His distinct style is light and elegant but while it appears minimalistic, each intricate piece consists of a huge amount of detail.

There was a time, not so very long ago, when people with tattoos were not allowed in public baths or swimming pools in South Korea. Now, however, things are slowly changing for the better. Hongdam has almost 160,000 Instagram followers and is one of the few bold artists who are shaping the face of tattoo culture in his country.

More info: Instagram (h/t: ufunk)

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Minimalist Tattoo

Hongdam Report

Final score:
302points
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#2

Minimalist Tattoo

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#3

Minimalist Tattoo

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#4

Minimalist Tattoo

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Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ooh so delicate

14
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#5

Minimalist Tattoo

Hongdam Report

Final score:
220points
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David
David
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From the distance this one could look like the person has their hand wounded. "Are you okay, what ha... Oh, nice tattoo!"

32
32points
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#6

Minimalist Tattoo

Hongdam Report

Final score:
213points
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Lynn Samantha
Lynn Samantha
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the best IMO, I'm floored.

12
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#7

Minimalist Tattoo

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Final score:
202points
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#8

Minimalist Tattoo

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182points
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Yvonne Bernal
Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I LOVE this even better, when shown like this. Clever indeed!

14
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#9

Minimalist Tattoo

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181points
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#10

Minimalist Tattoo

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164points
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#11

Minimalist Tattoo

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154points
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MeiMei M
MeiMei M
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this a coverup for a previous tatt?

6
6points
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#12

Minimalist Tattoo

Hongdam Report

Final score:
149points
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Yvonne Bernal
Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The angles are SPOT ON! This took a lot of time and effort.

7
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#13

Minimalist Tattoo

Hongdam Report

Final score:
137points
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#14

Minimalist Tattoo

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Final score:
134points
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Zed
Zed
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ten years and it will look like a small bruise... not so clever (trust me i'm a tattooist)

9
9points
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#15

Minimalist Tattoo

Hongdam Report

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115points
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Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's carrying the world on her shoulders

29
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#16

Minimalist Tattoo

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94points
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over opinionated
over opinionated
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By far my favorite so far it's perfect. Favorite color and animal. ♡♡♡♡

6
6points
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#17

Minimalist Tattoo

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#18

Minimalist Tattoo

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92points
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RizkyMariant
RizkyMariant
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a pretty neck.. (Wrong focus)

7
7points
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#19

Minimalist Tattoo

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#20

Minimalist Tattoo

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85points
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JMC
JMC
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The cat's eyes and the bird are very well done.

2
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#21

Minimalist Tattoo

Hongdam Report

Final score:
84points
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Heather Alisse
Heather Alisse
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

semicolin=suicide awareness/prevention

20
20points
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#22

Minimalist Tattoo

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#23

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#24

Minimalist Tattoo

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80points
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Shana
Shana
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the cat tattoo, but the wings kinda ruin it for me :/ Doesn't match/fit together

14
14points
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#25

Minimalist Tattoo

Hongdam Report

Final score:
80points
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Rajani Sarasan
Rajani Sarasan
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg this is so clean and beautiful

3
3points
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#26

Minimalist Tattoo

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Final score:
74points
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#27

Minimalist Tattoo

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Kat
Kat
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first I didn't take a good look at this on I just scrolled down think king they were giant blisters! I fell so bad. They are really good!

3
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#28

Minimalist Tattoo

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#29

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#30

Minimalist Tattoo

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71points
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Sharon Bair
Sharon Bair
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shouldn't the 4 be IV not IIII?

9
9points
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#31

Minimalist Tattoo

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#32

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#33

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#34

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#35

Minimalist Tattoo

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#36

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58points
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#37

Minimalist Tattoo

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#38

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#39

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#40

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#41

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#47

Minimalist Tattoo

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45points
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marnidarr
marnidarr
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful but I am pain just looking at it-OUCH.

1
1point
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#48

Minimalist Tattoo

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45points
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#49

Minimalist Tattoo

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#50

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#51

Minimalist Tattoo

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42points
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#52

Minimalist Tattoo

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#53

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#54

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#55

Minimalist Tattoo

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41points
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Jose Baeyens
Jose Baeyens
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So one can cover up scars or imperfections with a tattoo ?

8
8points
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#56

Minimalist Tattoo

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Final score:
41points
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#57

Minimalist Tattoo

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39points
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#58

Minimalist Tattoo

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#59

Minimalist Tattoo

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Final score:
37points
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Kathy Hayes
Kathy Hayes
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it! It's both hands .. right all but the thumb, left only see two and the third hidden

1
1point
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#60

Minimalist Tattoo

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Final score:
35points
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#61

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