Conversations with Yerae Kim

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yerae Kim.

Hi Yerae, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My clients usually ask me if I studied in painting or the arts since they admire my artistic abilities so much. I did not receive a formal art education, however, while majoring in Political Science, I could never have pictured myself becoming a tattoo artist.

After completing my Master’s degree in Germany, I returned to Korea and began working, but the job was not what I had anticipated. My friend said she was going to get a tattoo one day, and I accompanied her to the tattoo shop. I immediately fell in love with the tattoo job and felt it to be quite appealing. Since then, I’ve begun tattooing classes. As I began to lose interest in my job while learning tattooing, I began to devote more time and energy to tattooing. Finally, I decided to enter the tattoo industry. I resigned my work and sought a part-time position in order to continue tattooing. It was not simple at first because I had to work three part-time jobs in order to continue tattooing, but I am very delighted when I tattoo my design on someone’s body. I am where I am today because to the satisfaction and energy I derive from tattooing, which enabled me to overcome obstacles and arrive to this point.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The majority of Koreans disapprove of those with body art, as well as those who perform body art, as Korean culture remains conservative. With my parents, it was not that different. They were totally surprised when I told them I wanted to become a tattoo artist, as they had always believed I would be their well-behaved eldest daughter who would be a “welcomed” member of society and not someone who would be stigmatized for her profession. They believed I would work for a multinational corporation or international organization after completing graduate school, but I didn’t. I had a difficult time convincing my parents, particularly my father. After I disclosed my idea, we had not communicated for almost six months.

Now, they are, happily, my most enthusiastic supporters. They recognized that I was not leading my own life when I was learning and working in a different field. Inside, I was empty. They had seen how pleased I was and how much I valued my profession, and as a result, I believe they began to change.

Beginning my profession was difficult financially. As said previously, in order for me to continue tattooing, I had to work three part-time jobs, but I believe that this made me more resilient and enabled me to establish a solid foundation for the future.

In addition, this is an issue that every tattoo artist in Korea must deal with: tattooing is considered medical practice, and you must obtain a medical license, which is very difficult to obtain. In addition, tattoo artists and body art remain stigmatized in Korea. Tattoo artists in Korea believe that their country still has a long way to go, despite the fact that tattoo artists and their supporters are attempting to make improvements.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The majority of my works focus on flowers and plants. Everyone is born into the world, matures, spends their youth experiencing both positive and negative events, ages, and returns to the earth. I recognize the similarity to flowers. In the beginning, they are buds. It flowers displays its beauty, encounters rain, storm, sunlight, and wind, and then withers as time passes. Consequently, I endeavor to capture the beauty of my client’s life through flowers. I strive to depict the vitality of life in all of my paintings by employing an abundance of vibrant colors.

Additionally, I do numerous birth flower tattoos. I am pleased to be able to tattoo treasured memories of their loved ones in the form of flowers so that they may always remember their family, loves, and friends. This usually increases my sense of responsibility.

I’m pleased of my ability to perform coverup job. Long ago, I began researching how to make the concealer look more natural. Although the colors must be a bit deeper than the previous tattoo, I do my best to avoid making it too harsh or cluttered by emphasizing on the flowers’ features.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
The fact that I did not major in art and studied something so different to what I do today always surprises my clients. I believe that majoring in art is beneficial, but I believe that your personal style and enthusiasm are what make your work more valued.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yerae_tt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028246135353

Image Credits
@egotton_yujin @dada.regard