A teaser image for "Secret Ink," a BBC 100 Women documentary on female tattooists in Korea / Courtesy of BBC 100 Women

In Korea, tattoos have a history of being stigmatized and associated with criminality. Against this backdrop, a new documentary from BBC 100 Women series sheds light on the lives of female tattoo artists navigating this reality. Titled "Secret Ink," the film will premiere this weekend on the BBC News channel and later be available on the BBC News Korean YouTube channel.

Despite their growing popularity, the law permits only licensed medical doctors to apply tattoos in Korea. This has pushed many talented artists into the underground tattoo scene, fraught with legal risks.

Available in English and Korean, "Secret Ink" captures the stories of these women, delving into their struggles to earn a living while facing social disapproval and legal threats. The film also spotlights the ongoing battle for legal reform, aiming to create a safer and more accepting environment for tattoo artists.

Established in 2013, BBC 100 Women celebrates the stories of 100 influential and inspirational women globally each year. The 2024 list includes two Korean women — Park Su-bin, founder of the Stair Crusher Club which aims to create an accessibility map for wheelchair users, and Kim Ye-ji, an Olympic air pistol shooter who went viral for her cool demeanor.

"Secret Ink" will premiere on the BBC News channel on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Korean time.