'First time a tattoo ever looked cool': Citizen hero who tackled Incheon knife attacker draws attention for his ink

An interview with a man in his 30s who confronted a knife-wielding suspect on a rampage at a commercial complex in Namdong-gu, Incheon, drew an unexpected wave of attention online — not just for his bravery, but for what was on his arms.

According to KBS News, Na Hyeon-jun, 31, grabbed a chair and used it to subdue the suspect after the man began slashing at people with knives while riding escalators between floors of a commercial complex in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, at around 1:49 p.m. Tuesday.

Na recalled the moment the attack unfolded. "I was sitting down to have a meal with my girlfriend when people suddenly started screaming and running toward us," he said.

"I saw a man swinging two knives of different lengths, one in each hand," Na said. "I grabbed a chair nearby and ran toward the scene." He added that a restaurant owner was already trying to hold the suspect off with a chair but appeared to be struggling alone. "In that moment, a chair was the only thing I could grab," he said.

CCTV footage from the scene shows Na raising a chair high to block the suspect's swings before stumbling backward and tumbling down an escalator.

He said he was determined to protect others even at the risk of being hurt himself.

The building's fourth floor houses a movie theater and a children's cafe, and the courageous actions of Na and other bystanders are credited with preventing further casualties.

Online viewers who watched Na's interview quickly zeroed in on his arms. Both arms were covered entirely in irezumi — a Japanese tattooing tradition in which large, intricate traditional patterns are inked across the body. In South Korea, the style is often associated with yakuza or organized crime, and tends to carry a negative stigma.

Commenters, however, responded warmly. "My prejudice against tattoos is gone," one wrote. "This is the first time a full-sleeve tattoo has ever looked cool to me," said another. Others added: "I don't usually like tattoos, but this person looks different to me" and "He looks like someone who just studied hard — the full-sleeve tattoo is surprising."

The attack began at around 1:49 p.m. Tuesday, when a 59-year-old suspect identified only by his surname Choi tied knives to both hands, scattered cash and went on a rampage at the complex in Guwol-dong. A woman in her 20s was rushed to hospital in cardiac arrest after being stabbed, and seven other bystanders were injured.

Police said they are reviewing plans to commend the citizens who stood up to the suspect using chairs and other objects.