After a long process, singer and actress Nana has officially shared that she has removed nearly all of her full-body tattoos. On October 2, the former After School member announced her transformation on social media, stating she has returned with a “clean body” and holds no regrets about her decision. She chose to keep a single, deeply meaningful tattoo: the numbers 1968, the birth year of her mother.
Nana’s journey with tattoo removal began years ago, a process she undertook at her mother’s request. In her online post, she framed this physical change as part of her personal growth, linking it to her return to music with the release of her first solo album, ‘Seventh Heaven 16’. Her story is not just about changing her appearance but about overcoming past pain and sending a message of hope to her fans.
The Announcement of a New Beginning
Nana marked a new chapter with a heartfelt post on her personal social media account. She shared her feelings about the lengthy removal process and her positive outlook on the change.
She wrote, “I don’t regret it. I left the only tattoo that gave meaning to my body. 1968, the existence I respect the most.” This single tattoo is a tribute to her mother, the person she admires most.
She added, “I came back with a clean body. Overcame the pain and grew up firmly. The pain of the past also became a memory.” Nana also connected this personal transformation to her artistic goals, stating, “I want to make a song that anyone can relate to… I want to give a message of hope to someone.”
A Long and Painful Removal Process
Nana’s decision to remove her tattoos wasn’t made overnight, and the process itself was a test of endurance. The extent of her tattoos meant that removal required a significant long-term commitment.
In a Q&A video from January 2025, Nana revealed that she had already undergone over 30 tattoo removal sessions and was still not completely done. She was very open about the discomfort involved, frankly stating that removing tattoos is significantly more painful than getting them. She has documented parts of this journey in vlogs, showing herself undergoing laser treatment, at times without numbing cream, and attending schedules with bandages covering the treated areas.
Why She Chose to Remove Her Tattoos
The primary reason Nana decided to erase her tattoos was a simple, heartfelt request from her mother. Nana explained that her mother had cautiously told her, “I want to see you with a clean body again.” Because her mother had allowed her to get the tattoos in the first place, Nana agreed to remove them without hesitation.
The tattoos were originally a personal choice made during a difficult period in her life. She has previously shared that she got the extensive body art as a way to cope with psychological stress and low moods. While she has stated she doesn’t regret getting them, seeing them as a form of healing at the time, she also realized that removing them felt completely right for her new chapter.
The One Tattoo She Kept
Despite removing almost all of her ink, one tattoo remains: “1968” on her right ankle. This number holds profound significance for Nana as it represents the year her mother was born. She has called it a tribute to “the person I respect the most” and has explicitly stated that this is the one she wanted to keep.
This special tattoo is also featured prominently in the music video for ‘Scar,’ a track from her new album ‘Seventh Heaven 16,’ showing its continued importance in her life and art.
From Past Attention to a Clear Future
Nana first drew widespread public attention for her tattoos back in 2022 during a press conference for the movie ‘Confession’. At that time, she clarified that the extensive ink was her own and not for a role. Her transformed look comes as she re-emerges with new music, releasing her first solo album and its title song ‘GOD’ on the same day she made her tattoo removal announcement.
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