In our interview series, we got the chance to interview Tattooist Arar, who is very famous for his tattoos. He has over 450K followers on Instagram.
1. What inspired you to become a tattoo artist and when did you start it as a career?
I aspired to become an illustrator. I wasn’t interested in tattoos at first. However, I came across small and detailed mini-tattoo pictures on the internet. Upon seeing it, I realized that tattoos have many similarities to illustrations. From that point on, I began to learn it in 2017.
2. How many tattoos do you have on your body and what’s your favorite one?
I have one tattoo on my body. It’s the first one I got when I started getting into tattoos. I engraved the word ‘Balance’ in lettering as I wanted a reminder to live with a good balance between rest and work. It holds significant meaning for me as it’s not only my first tattoo but also the first one I got on my body.
3. Which is your favorite client tattoo, what was the story behind it, and how much time it took?
I treasure the tattoo I did for my first client the most. She liked the drawing I had sketched in advance and trusted me, despite my lack of tattooing experience. She made a tattoo reservation based solely on seeing my design. it took about three hours. It was a simple design, but being my first, it took quite a while. I remember practicing the same design extensively on rubber sheets to avoid making any mistakes.
4. What do you do in your free time when not tattooing people?
Actually, until last year, I didn’t take much time off. Even on days when I wasn’t tattooing, I was drawing designs at home or in cafes. Both my body and mind were tired, but because I loved tattooing so much, I was very passionate about it. However, since 2023, I have been making an effort to take as much rest as possible. In 2022, my long-time family member, my cat, passed away, and that became a turning point for me to reflect a lot on my life.
5. Why do you think people get a tattoo, even though it’s a painful process?
Perhaps it’s because they want to remember the most meaningful memories through tattoos, to ensure they never forget them. When you have a tattoo on your body, it’s more visible than you might think, and it’s a constant reminder that allows you to reflect on it regularly. Even if it hurts, I believe that might be one of the most significant reasons why people get tattoos.
6. Who is your favorite tattoo artist?
I don’t have a consistent favorite artist. I tend to change my preferences over time rather than sticking to one person.
7. What are different styles of tattoos do you make?
I use thin lines and intricate details to create my tattoos. Additionally, I have a penchant for cute things, so no matter the theme, I can redesign it in my own adorable style. That sets me apart from other tattoo artists.
8. Where do you see the future of Tattoos?
The level of tattooing in Korea is so high that it attracts many clients from abroad. Moreover, tattoos are rapidly becoming popular in Korea as well. If artists continue to design appealing artworks in their unique styles, the future of tattoos in Korea seems promising.
9. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I aspire to build a career as a tattoo artist in the United States, a country celebrated for its rich blend of races and cultures. At this moment, I am eager to immerse myself in a fresh environment, connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. One of the compelling reasons that draws me to the U.S. is the prevalence of tattooing as a mainstream art form, allowing for a more extensive array of design possibilities compared to Korea. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of working in the U.S., where I can unleash my creativity to craft designs that embrace and reflect the cultural diversity of the country.
10. If you get a choice, which celebrity would you like to Tattoo and any specific design?
I have a dilemma because there are so many people I admire. Among them, I would love to tattoo Beyoncé. She has been someone I’ve wanted to meet since I was young. As far as I know, she doesn’t have many tattoos on her body. It would be such an honor to tattoo her, and I would feel incredibly privileged to create any design for her.
 11. Please share your social handles and how to reach out to get a tattoo.Â
My Instagram handle is @tattooist_arar, and currently, I’m only available for tattoo consultations and appointments through Instagram DM.
