05 Oct Painting on skin: Interview with the famous tattoo artist Dareum

Precious things tattooed to capture a moment in time, tattoo artist Dareum (@dareumtattoo) creates beautiful drawings for the people that visit her. Here we found out more about her art, hopes for the future and how you can get your very own “drawing tattoo”…

Tell me about what made you fall in love with tattoos?

I fell in love with tattoos when I first got them. Having loved drawing since I was a child, I fell in love with the charm of being able to paint on skin, not paper for only one person.

What’s your earliest memory of tattoos? Did you want them as a child?

I didn’t know I would be a tattooist when I was young. It hasn’t been long since Korean tattoos became popular. I think tattoos and tattooers are still in the stage of changing that perception. Tattoos were strongly perceived to be negative, their images were frightening in Korea. Of course I thought so too when I was young.

How did you train to become a tattoo artist?

I first learned to tattoo in 2016. At the time, I majored in visual design at university, and I had the opportunity to learn tattooing, but I slowed down for a while because it was a time when I was thinking about my career path. Then in 2018, I started again properly. I learned the practice of expressing my paintings in tattoos and how to handle machines.

How would you describe your style of tattooing?

“Drawing tattoo”, I want to say that! I transfer the drawings that I make on paper onto my client’s skin. I like to express the texture of the materials I’ve used. That’s why it’s better to call it “drawing tattoo”!

Do you tattoo lots of tourists who’ve travelled for your work?

Yes, Of course most of my guests are Koreans, but I’m so grateful to the customers who come to me while traveling.

How long is your wait list? How do customers book in?

My books are always open. I accept reservations for the next one to two months first.

How should customers contact you? Of course if someone is travelling over from the UK, how much notice would you need?

I communicate with all my customers through messenger or email. First, if you contact me with the date you want, I will send you a notice and a booking form. Please contact dareumtattoo@gmail.com, Instagram DM, or Kakao Talk.

What are the rules for tattooing in South Korea? Is tattooing more underground or becoming more mainstream nowadays?

I think Korea is still in the middle stage. All Korean tattooists are striving to develop a tattoo culture. I hope that the day will come soon when we can legalise and work confidently.

What’s the best way for customers to come up with an idea for you? Do you offer flash or prefer custom work?

I prefer to work on flash designs. I’m so grateful to the customers who accept my personal drawings as tattoos. Of course, I’m so grateful to the customers who trust me with custom designs as well. Knowing and trusting my style can be a pleasure for both customers and myself.

What is the address of your studio?

The studio is located in Yongsan-gu, the centre of Seoul. It is adjacent to Myeongdong, Jongno, Itaewon, and Hannam-dong tourist attractions.

Do you ever do guest spots? If so, when / where?

In 2019 I went to Paris, then in 2022 I was in London and in 2023 I visited Tokyo. I haven’t been to many different places due to the pandemic, but now I want to try to visit lots of different places again!

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

The current plan is to develop more hand-drawings and to go to various countries. I want to do art books or exhibitions with my drawings someday too.

What do you think about the tattoo world itself?

Tattoos are an art that you can use to express oneself without explanation. It marks a time that has passed. Many of my clients got their tattoos to remember a time or leave precious things on their body.

Over time, you can take out your old diary, look at the tattoos as if you are immersed in memories, and look back on yourself at that moment in time.

Make sure you follow Dareum (@dareumtattoo) for more beautiful tattoos