▲ Artsee Tattoo Studio / CEO Kim Tae-yong

If you use SNS on a daily basis, you might notice that there is increasing number of tattooists showing off their skills and styles. Yes, tattoo is one of the fast growing businesses of the beauty industry in South Korea. Naturally, there seems to be people who actually want to become tattooists as a profession.

Kim Tae-yong, CEO of Artsee Tattoo Studio, is a professional tattooist whose experience goes back to the time where almost nobody paid attention to the art. Observing the increasing demand from soon-to-be-tattooists, Kim answered them by opening Artsee Tattoo Studio. 

What makes Artsee Tattoo Studio stand out is at its down-to-earth curriculum and the capability to equip all students with ability to start their own business after successfully finishing the course. As if to prove it, over 90% of students at Artsee Tattoo Studio are working in the respective field employed or owned. All classes at Artsee Tattoo Studio are instructed by Kim with greater focus on practical skills alongside helpful marketing knowhow and strategies. 

“One of the most important things in tattoo is to finish. Tattoo is a job that requires time and patience and one gets easily tired. The point I’m saying is that if you give up in the middle of it, you not only lose the hard work you’ve done so far but more than that you will never have this blissful feeling of completing a work with your own hands. In addition, when your client gives you compliment about your work, the bliss becomes double” advises Kim. 

Kim was leading a normal life like most ordinary people. Feeling bored with the work he was doing, he packed one day and traveled alone. There he came to see an old woman with piercings and tattoos all over and he was instantly enchanted. Back from this life changing journey, he engaged himself in learning the skill and meeting with new code of people. He having a talent in drawing when he was younger might have encouraged him also. 

The highly recommended 1 month course at Artsee Tattoo Studio includes: 1) hygiene 2) portfolio 3) equipment 4) principles 5) rubber lines 6) career path 7) cover up 8) skin and needle. Also popularly recommended 2 month course includes: 1) use of needles 2) use of color ink 3) cautions 4) maintenance 5) career 6) photoshop and illustration 7) drawing 8) tattoo information. The 3 month course includes: 1) face and animal rubber plates 2) contrast 3) application 4) SNS marketing 5) startup consulting 6) portfolio 7) finishing up. 

Regarding the legal matters on practicing tattoo, Kim says “We still have a long way to legalizing the art. It is urgent to introduce a needle related certificate first because the current law tells that only doctors can practice tattoo. The problem is that tattoo is in the category of art so it is likely better for tattooists with creative mind and hygiene awareness to practice the art. As for my part, I will contribute to the advancement of the Korean tattoo industry through Artsee Tattoo Studio.”