BTS's Jungkook has tattoos across his right hand and right arm, plus a friendship "7" behind his ear. His first was the word ARMY on his fingers, which fans spotted in 2019. In a February 2023 livestream he explained what most of them mean and said he has no plans to remove them. Here is each design, when it appeared and why some were covered up.
Key points
- His first tattoo is ARMY, the name of BTS's fandom, on the fingers of his right hand. Fans spotted it in 2019
- His right arm is now covered from shoulder to wrist, and a friendship "7" sits behind his ear
- He explained most of them himself: a clock set to the time he was born, his birth flower, BTS's debut date and more
- Some designs, including an eye and a Korean flag symbol, were later covered up. We found no report of any being removed
- He has said that erasing a tattoo would mean denying who he was
Want something similar? Browse finger tattoo designs and lily tattoo designs on Tattoo Japan.
Who Is Jungkook?
- Name
- Jungkook (officially styled Jung Kook; Korean: 정국)
- Full name
- Jeon Jung-kook (전정국)
- Born
- September 1, 1997, in Busan, South Korea
- Group
- BTS (debuted 2013)
- Label
- BIGHIT MUSIC
- Military service
- December 2023 to June 2025
Jungkook is a member of the seven-member K-pop group BTS. He was born in Busan and debuted with BTS in 2013. (Source: Wikipedia)
His 2023 solo single "Seven (feat. Latto)" reached 1 billion Spotify streams in 109 days, which Guinness World Records lists as the fastest for a male artist. (Source: Guinness World Records)
He completed his military service in June 2025. In October 2026, BTS's ARIRANG world tour played Bogotá, Colombia. (Source: TV Report, Oct 7, 2026, in Korean)
Jungkook's Tattoos at a Glance
Jungkook had not spoken directly about his tattoos until a Weverse livestream on February 2, 2023, when he went through them one by one. (Source: HuffPost Korea, Feb 6, 2023, in Korean) Harper's BAZAAR Korea summed them up as the things he loves and the things that keep him going. (Source: Harper's BAZAAR Korea, Feb 7, 2023, in Korean)
| Placement | Design | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Right fingers | ARMY, crown, J | His fans; his initial |
| Right hand | 0613, purple heart | Debut date; BTS and ARMY |
| Right arm | Clock, mic, treble clef | Born to be a singer |
| Right arm | Two crossed phrases | His longtime motto |
| Right arm | Tiger lily, 110604 | Birth flower; move to Seoul |
| Right arm | Bulletproof | BTS (Bangtan = bulletproof) |
| Right arm | Snake | Growth, like shedding skin |
| Behind ear | 7 | Friendship with BTS |
Some designs on his arm, like the Hahoe mask and the skeleton hand below, have no explanation from him that we could find. We say so where that is the case.
Jungkook's Hand Tattoos: ARMY and More
ARMY, on the fingers of his right hand, was his first tattoo. ARMY is what BTS fans call themselves. In the livestream he said his fans make him proud and that putting ARMY somewhere nobody could see it would make no sense. (Source: HuffPost Korea)
- Crown: above the A, as a way of putting a crown on ARMY
- J: on his ring finger, for the J in his initials, JK
- 0613: BTS's debut date, June 13
- Purple heart: BTS and ARMY telling each other they love them
- ARMY logo: the fandom's symbol
- Emoji: a face with one eye squinted, an emoji he likes
(Source: Harper's BAZAAR Korea)
Jungkook's Arm Tattoos and Their Meanings
Clock, Microphone and Treble Clef
The clock on his arm is stopped at 3:25, the time he was born. A chain links it to a microphone, and the chain carries on to a treble clef. (Source: Harper's BAZAAR Korea) He explained it as meaning he was destined to be a singer from the day he was born. (Source: HuffPost Korea)
"Rather Be Dead Than Cool" and "Make Hay While the Sun Shines"
Two phrases cross each other on his arm. According to Harper's BAZAAR Korea, "Rather be dead than cool" is his longtime motto, which the magazine glosses as "better to die than live without passion." It crosses the proverb "Make hay while the sun shines," which means to grab a chance while you have it. (Source: Harper's BAZAAR Korea)
Tiger Lily and "110604"
The tiger lily on his forearm is his birth flower. In the livestream he said he added the flower's meaning in the language of flowers, "please love me," and the date 110604, when he moved from Busan to Seoul. (Source: HuffPost Korea) It is the same date he holds up in the mugshot scene of BTS's "Butter" music video. (Source: a photo caption in HuffPost Korea)
Hahoe Mask and "Winners Never Quit"
His right arm also has a grinning Hahoe mask and graffiti-style lettering that reads "Winners Never Quit." Hahoe masks come from Hahoe Village in Andong, South Korea, and the original masks are a designated National Treasure. (Source: The Korea Times, Jan 31, 2018) We found no explanation from Jungkook for either design.
Skeleton "Rock On" Hand
A skeleton hand throws the rock sign, index and little fingers raised. We found no explanation from him for this one either.
Black Flower and Clouds
Above the tiger lily sits a black, sunflower-like bloom under clouds outlined in gold. We found no explanation from him.
A Tiger Shaped Like the Korean Peninsula
The inside of his right arm carries a tiger drawn in the shape of a map of the Korean Peninsula. It drew attention in September 2021, when he flew back into Incheon Airport after BTS's appearance at the UN General Assembly. (Source: Newsis, Sept 25, 2021, in Korean)
The "7" Friendship Tattoo Behind His Ear
The "7" behind his ear is a friendship tattoo with the other BTS members. Each member put a "7," for the seven of them, wherever he wanted. (Source: HuffPost Korea)
The friendship tattoos were done by the tattoo artist Polyc, who said in an Instagram story that the members' sevens spell "BTS" when you put them together. (Source: Harper's BAZAAR Korea) See where the other members put theirs in our article on BTS's friendship tattoos.
Tattoos Jungkook Covered Up
The Eye Became "Bulletproof"
Below his elbow there used to be a human eye. He got it as a reminder to watch how he behaves: he put it where he couldn't see it himself, so he would remember that people are always watching him. (Source: Harper's BAZAAR Korea)
A lot of people didn't like it, so he had it covered with the word "Bulletproof." BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan, and "bangtan" means bulletproof. (Sources: Harper's BAZAAR Korea; HuffPost Korea)
The Korean Flag Symbol Became a Snake
The three black bars were geon, the trigram for heaven, one of the four symbols on the corners of the South Korean flag. Jungkook, who has often said he wishes he could fly, chose it. After people reacted to it, he changed it into a snake, a symbol of growing by shedding your old skin. (Source: Harper's BAZAAR Korea)
Polyc's Cover-Up Work
On June 18, 2022, Polyc announced on Instagram that he had covered up some of Jungkook's tattoos. He wrote that they talked it through first, then covered the parts that needed work on composition and quality, one by one, and that Jungkook had built up his arm with tattoos that each mean something. He also mentioned putting his own nickname on Jungkook's arm, which is most likely the "POLYC" lettering beside the snake. The post doesn't say which tattoos he covered. In the 2023 livestream, Jungkook himself named the eye and the flag symbol as cover-ups. See the post on Instagram (@polyc_sj)
A cover-up means tattooing a new design over the old one. We found no report of any of his tattoos being removed.
"Erasing Them Would Mean Denying My Past Self"
In the February 2023 livestream, Jungkook said he understands why people remove tattoos, but he didn't see the point for himself, since each one was something he wanted at that moment. "If I erase them, I'm denying my past self," he said, adding that he was still himself back then. (Source: HuffPost Korea; the quote is our translation of the Korean "(타투를) 지우면 과거의 나를 부정하는 것")
When Did Jungkook Get His Tattoos?
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| Aug 2019 | Label announces a long break |
| c. Sept 2019 | Hand tattoos first seen |
| June 2021 | Short sleeves at an online concert |
| Sept 2021 | Tiger seen at Incheon Airport |
| June 2022 | Polyc posts the cover-up |
| Feb 2023 | He explains them on Weverse Live |
| Oct 2026 | Tour photos: shoulder to wrist |
In August 2019, BTS's label announced an extended period of rest for the group. (Source: The FADER, Aug 12, 2019) When the members reunited at Incheon Airport after about a month off, around September 2019, fans saw his hand tattoos for the first time. (Source: Elite Daily) Most fans first noticed the word ARMY on his knuckles. (Source: VICE)
He kept his arm under long sleeves, makeup or bandages for a while. At the online concert BTS 2021 MUSTER SOWOOZOO in June 2021 he wore a short-sleeved shirt that showed the arm clearly. (Source: VICE, June 14, 2021) In photos BTS posted on X during the 2026 tour, the tattoos run from his shoulder to his wrist with almost no gaps. (Source: TV Report)
Why Jungkook's Tattoos Are Often Hidden on TV
As of 2021, Korean broadcasters still covered performers' tattoos with skin-colored tape or blurred them out. (Source: Newsis, in Korean) In June 2021, a lawmaker pushing to legalize tattooing posted photos of Jungkook with tape over the tattoos on his arms and hands, calling on broadcasters to take the tape off BTS. Fans criticized her for using him for politics, and she apologized. (Sources: Korea JoongAng Daily, June 9, 2021; VICE)
The legal background matters too. Since a 1992 Supreme Court ruling, tattooing by anyone without a medical license had been illegal in South Korea. In September 2025 the National Assembly passed a Tattooist Act that lets licensed tattooists work legally. It takes effect two years after it is promulgated. (Source: The Korea Herald, Sept 25, 2025)
Covering an Arm Tattoo in Japan
Japan has its own version of this: many onsen, pools and gyms still turn away visible tattoos, and some accept them if they are covered (see why Japanese facilities ban tattoos). If you are traveling with arm tattoos, a sleeve-style cover or large skin-colored tape is the easiest option. Rules differ by facility, so check before you go. The links below go to Amazon Japan (amazon.co.jp).
* Some links include affiliate advertisements (PR).
Hadakakushi Arm Covers — 1 Pair
Long arm covers for covering tattoos. The linked option is a black pair.
View on Amazon
Foundation Tape — Large
Tattoo cover tape, 9.5 × 14 cm. Compare five shades for larger areas.
View on Amazon
MARSH FIELD Body Cover Foundation N
Body cover foundation. The linked shade is 02 (beige).
View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions About Jungkook's Tattoos
When did Jungkook get his first tattoo?
His first tattoo was ARMY on the fingers of his right hand. Fans first spotted it in 2019. (Source: VICE) His hand tattoos were reportedly first seen around September 2019, when BTS came back from about a month off. (Source: Elite Daily) He has confirmed himself that ARMY was the first.
How old was Jungkook when he got his tattoos?
He was born on September 1, 1997. Fans first noticed his hand tattoos in 2019, reportedly around September, close to his 22nd birthday. He has not said the exact date he got it.
Which hand is Jungkook's tattoo on?
His right hand. Before he began showing his tattoos, he kept his right arm covered with long sleeves, makeup or bandages. (Source: VICE) In October 2026 tour photos, his tattooed arm is filled from shoulder to wrist. (Source: TV Report) He also has a "7" behind his ear.
What does Jungkook's ARMY hand tattoo mean?
ARMY is the name of BTS's fandom. He has said he put it where everyone can see it because his fans make him proud, and he added a crown above the A to crown them.
Has Jungkook removed his tattoos?
No. He has covered up some designs, including the eye and the flag symbol, but we found no statement or report that he has had any tattoo removed. In 2023 he said he had no plans to erase them, and 2026 tour photos still show his full arm.
Why can't I see Jungkook's tattoos in some photos?
Two reasons. He has often covered them with long sleeves, makeup or tape, especially on Korean TV. And cover-ups changed some designs, so the eye and the three bars in older photos are no longer there.
Do the other BTS members have tattoos?
Yes. The members each got a "7" friendship tattoo in a spot of their choosing. Read more in our articles on BTS's friendship tattoos and Jimin's tattoos.
Summary: Jungkook's Tattoos
Jungkook's tattoos started with ARMY on his right hand, spotted in 2019, and now cover his right arm, with a friendship "7" behind his ear. He has explained most of them himself: his fans, BTS's debut date, his birth flower and the time he was born.
He covered up the eye and the Korean flag symbol, but we found no report that he has removed any tattoo, and he has said he doesn't plan to. If you are thinking about a similar piece, compare designs first, then talk it through with a studio.
*Based on publicly available information as of October 2026.
