An Interview with Tattoo Artist Taeseok Park from South Korea

We are interviewing a lot of Tattoo artists these days. And, this time we got to do a quick candid interview with Taeseok Park, who is from South Korea and currently in Vancouver (Canada).

1. What inspired you to become a tattoo artist and when did you start it as a career?

Before becoming a tattoo artist, I was a hairdresser. In Korean hair salons, you deal with more than 10 clients a day, and sometimes more than 20 when it’s busy. I was somewhat satisfied with this lifestyle, but the more I worked, I realized I’d vibe better with something less hectic and more focused. While such thoughts lingered in my mind, one day I saw a flower-patterned tattoo on one of my client’s arms. It hit me – that’s the kind of work I would love and rock at. From that moment, my mind was completely captivated by the thought of tattoos. This is when I left my job as a hairdresser and jumped into the world of tattooing. I have been doing tattoos since 2017.

2. How many tattoos do you have on your body and what’s your favorite one?

I have more than 20. My favorite tattoo is the one I got from my mentor.

3. Which is your favorite client tattoo, what was the story behind it, and how much time it took?

This is the picture of my favorite tattoo. It’s not in the picture, but we started with a small tattoo on the back of the neck. This client said that it was going to be their last tattoo, but they came back a little later to get two additional tattoos of a baby angel and a tiger. And then, we just kept adding more and it became a sleeve. Usually, with an unplanned design like this, it can end up looking awkward or off-balance. But with this sleeve, even though we didn’t map it out from the get-go, the client and I just clicked. Our ideas meshed so well together and it turned into this perfect blend of our inspirations. That’s why it is so memorable to me. This work took me more than 30 hours.  

4. What do you do in your free time when not tattooing people?

I usually spend my free time sketching designs, giving consultations about tattoos, hitting the gym, going to the movies, exhibits, or restaurants, and of course, doing some traveling.

5. Why do you think people get a tattoo, even though it’s a painful process?

I think people get tattoos because they offer a lasting attraction. You can ink what matters to you on your body, and it sticks around even when you’re not. It’s an art that shows off who you are as a person.

6. Who is your favorite tattoo artist?

My mentor is @q_tattoos.

7. What are different styles of tattoos do you make?

I create geometric styles inspired by realism.

8. Where do you see the future of Tattoos?

The number of tattoo artists is increasing every year, and their skills are consistently improving. While the demand is limited, the supply is continuously growing. In the future, I believe only artists with outstanding techniques and strong personalities will thrive. I’m excited about a future where we’ll see even more fascinating works.

9. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

An artist who has grown significantly from now and a leader of a team that shares similar values and ideas as me.

10. If you get a choice, which celebrity would you like to Tattoo and any specific design?

I wish to design for the concept of a Korean musician Yerin Baek and explore the collaboration of the East and West (involving sculptures, flowers, the Korean language, geometric liens, and brushstrokes).

11. Please share your social handles and how to reach out to get a tattoo. 

I will get back to you within a week if you reach out to me via Instagram DMs or emails.