Between the Sky and the Skin: Symbols of Hope in Barim's tattoos

In his tattoos—dreams hang in the air like balloons in children’s hands. Astronauts drift in the silent cosmos, and small creatures with wings unfit for flight still soar upward—they’re trusted, they’re believed in. Barim doesn’t just tattoo—he creates a visual language that speaks to the innermost. His characters are recognizable at a glance because they speak of something everyone knows: hope, fear, loss, and healing.

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Barim is a tattoo artist from Korea with an academic background in Western painting. University, graduate school, three-dimensional art, work with color and media—this knowledge became a strong foundation for him.

I work in various tattoo styles, using everything I studied in the field of art.

Today, he works not only in Korea but also as a guest artist in studios around the world—from Europe to Singapore.

The year 2008 was a turning point. Taking academic leave and thinking about the future, Barim happened to come across an image of a tattoo on the internet. That was the moment everything clicked:

From then on, I became curious about tattoos and soon started studying tattoos through various communities.

But the path wasn’t easy: at that time, tattoos in Korea were both legally and socially restricted.

Even now, when I think about that time, I laugh at the thought of not being able to properly adjust the ink concentration and machine settings.

Although Barim humbly says he’s still not sure he has a "unique style,” his works speak otherwise. They are instantly recognizable—characters, elements, compositions—all working together.

When I was a child, I was very excited and happy to see balloons flying in the sky. When I went to the amusement park, other children were holding their parents' hands and holding balloons in one hand. When I became an adult, I was happy to recall those times and saw dreams and hopes in my rich imagination. 

In his work, flying squirrels often appear — creatures that can glide but cannot fly on their own. To express dreams and hopes, he frequently uses balloons as a motif in his designs. These small beings, lifted by something beyond their own power, become a metaphor for resilience, imagination, and the desire to rise above limitations.

Another striking image is the astronaut. It’s not about space. It’s about emptiness. About silent loneliness.

When I think about life and death, I feel sad, scared, and empty. It feels like I'm drifting in a vacuum of space where I can't hear anything.

The astronaut drifting in the dark became a metaphor for those feelings, and his tattoos—a way to express and share them.

For Barim, working with a client always starts with a conversation. This journey isn’t just about picking a picture—it’s a co-creation where every detail matters.

First, I ask the client about the subject or design they want. Then, we collect reference photos or materials, receive feedback on the rough sketch, and complete the design.

Barim emphasizes that "it's most important not to cause excessive damage to the skin,” and that’s reflected in his technique: soft strokes, precise lines, and avoiding unnecessary repetition. All for the sake of making not just the result, but the process comfortable for the client.

Many of Barim’s projects are more than just art on skin. They’re a dialogue with the past.

Clients sometimes ask me for tattoos to help them overcome their dark pasts or traumas. Whenever that happens, I create designs that incorporate balloons to convey hopeful messages. I feel very happy when clients give me satisfactory feedback.

His gallery features tattoos backed by stories: memories of a loved one, healed trauma, the desire to hold on to something important.

I remember when I did a tattoo for a client who had scars all over her left arm from a fire.

Such moments leave a mark on the artist too:

Whether it's a memory of a loved one or an object left behind by existence we miss, we all live with nostalgia and memories, so I remember all the customers who expressed their gratitude with tears in their eyes.

Today, Barim continues to work both in Korea and abroad. In 2023, he participated in two tattoo conventions in France—and won awards at both. This is not only professional recognition, but another step toward global visibility.

My future aspirations are to strengthen my personal capabilities and increase my recognition. Also, my goal is to build a concept that can show my own unique characteristics.

For Barim, tattooing is more than a profession. It’s his path.

Tattoo artist is a wonderful job that allows me to exist. It has taken up a lot of time in my life, helped me meet people I love, and will continue to be a driving force for my future.

And perhaps that’s why his work feels so personal. So recognizable. So real.