Spilling Ink with Tattoo Artist Kim Jinu – January 2025

By Isaiah Winters

From blurry-limbed TV celebs to fuzzy- headed grandmas with tatted eyebrows, there’s been a noticeable uptick in tattoos across Korean society. To help fill us in on the latest state of Gwangju’s tattoo scene, I’ve recently caught up with my friend and tattoo artist Kim Jinu to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of the business. What follows is our interview at his new studio near Sangmu: Studio Bobae.

Isaiah Winters (IW): Long time no see, Jinu! A lot’s changed since our last interview back in 2021. First off, what’s new with your tattoo studio?

Kim Jinu: First of all, what makes me so happy is that the size of Studio Bobae has grown, and the inconveniences of the last place have been improved. The new studio has been expanded and relocated, so the address changed, and the facility got better. There is now a parking lot and restroom, so I feel proud that the guests can feel comfortable. I am also proud of my perfect rating on the Tattoo Share (타투쉐어) app, where I am the most-reviewed tattoo artist in Gwangju.

IW: Those are all impressive achievements. Since we last discussed the tattoo scene in Gwangju over three years ago, what’s changed?

Kim Jinu: Customers have raised their standards. They demand more diverse and high-quality types of tattoos. Also, the number of tattoo artists in Gwangju is increasing year by year. The more supply there is, the more of a red ocean this field becomes. I need to work harder to survive, but I am confident that I can provide what my customers ask for.

IW: Over the years, what’s one memorable client interaction and one tattoo choice you’ve found fascinating?

Kim Jinu: Do you know about scalp tattoos? I gave scalp tattoos to female customers who lost their hair because of chemotherapy, as well as bald male customers. That will compensate for the loss of hair. And there was a client who wanted the politician Heo Gyeong-yeong’s (허경영) name tattooed on his bicep. Heo is like a living political meme in Korea. Imagine, could you tattoo Donald Trump’s full name on your body? [laughs]

IW: Both cases are interesting. Your experience tattooing chemotherapy patients shows that the reasons for getting tattoos aren’t as one- dimensional as we think. You also tattoo clients to help them cover other things up. Can you talk more about that?

Kim Jinu: People have their own complexes about scars, ugly old tattoos, big moles, and burn marks. Tattoo artists help cover up their pain and shame and give them new confidence and hope. They are very pleased to see the results of the cover-up, so I feel most rewarded when I do this sort of work. This is the positive role of tattoos.

IW: That’s definitely a side of the business that many overlook. Unfortunately, you also told me about some extremely difficult clients you’ve had to spend hours with. How much are you willing to share here?

Kim Jinu: I suffered greatly from one really bad customer. He introduced himself as a gangster who had done time for committing murder in the past, and he smoked in my tattoo parlor without my permission. After receiving a tattoo from me, he insisted that he did not like it and so asked me for a cover-up fee. I gave him the money, but his threats continued the next day. It was a very tiring experience. He came to my shop one day and caused a lot more trouble. I had a very big fight with him, and eventually, the police came and settled the whole situation.

IW: What a degenerate psycho. It makes you wonder how many other tattoo artists he’s extorted that way. You mentioned that running a tattoo shop is a sort of legal gray area in Korea. Talk about this and how the authorities generally treat you.

Kim Jinu: Tattooing is a type of medical practice in Korea, and medical practices cannot be done by the general public – only doctors. The police generally do not crack down on tattoo shops or intervene. But if a tattoo shop has drugs, is linked to the sex industry, or has connections to gangs, the police will crack down. Police generally tolerate tattooing otherwise.

IW: I guess you’re safe from the authorities then. What’s next for you and Studio Bobae as we head into 2025?

Kim Jinu: I do not have any worries about my tattoo business. It is going well enough for me to keep the status quo. I have been working hard on advertising and tattooing, and I am going to keep at it. My goal in 2025 is to get a girlfriend because my dream is to be a good father and husband one day.

IW: Best of luck on all fronts, Jinu! 

Studio Bobae / 보배 스튜디오

• Address: 광주 서구상무대로 868번길 2 (쌍촌동) 4층
• Tattoo Share (타투쉐어) app link: https://tattooshare.co.kr/bbs/ redirect.php?os=aos&type=3&idx=169286&ti_insta=studio_bobae
• Instagram: @studio_bobae