Jeonghun Seo, also known as @nobodytattoo, is a tattoo artist whose work has been gaining recognition for its unique blend of East Asian influences and original design elements.
Based in Los Angeles, Seo has been making his mark on the tattoo world, creating distinctive pieces that stand out for their originality and deep connection to his cultural roots.
Where are you from? Where do you currently work and take appointments?
- My name is Jeonghun Seo, and I go by the nickname "nobodytattoo." I am from South Korea. I obtained an O-1 visa from the U.S.A. and have been working as a tattoo artist in Los Angeles for the past two years. I primarily use Instagram as my platform.
For you, is tattooing an art, a job, or something else?
- Tattoos mean a lot to me. First and foremost, I love my job and find great satisfaction in it. Of course, I also love getting tattoos, and I'm very interested in them. I've loved drawing since childhood, and I feel very fulfilled and happy when customers choose my designs as their tattoos. I'm constantly working on creating my own designs, so for me, tattoos are an art form without any limitations.
Do you have any artistic background?
- When I was a student, I attended an art academy to prepare for art college. As an adult, I went to fashion school and majored in fashion design, which I found to be a lot of fun. However, I naturally gravitated toward the path of tattooing, which I was more passionate about.
How and when did you decide to become a tattoo artist? Who taught you? How was it?
- Since I loved drawing from a young age, I naturally pursued art studies. I was also interested in fashion, so I began studying fashion design in fashion school when I became an adult. Ultimately, I wanted to focus on drawing, so I left school and started learning tattooing, which I was very interested in. I began tattooing at a studio run by Soltattoo in Korea. Tattooing was definitely not easy, but I was full of passion and enjoyed it.
How did your style develop?
- My designs are based on an East Asian oriental style, but I don't draw inspiration from any specific traditional culture. I'm trying to create my own oriental style that isn't limited to Korea, Japan, or China. To do this, I follow my own rules: when I create a new design, I try not to reference anything. If you draw something based on an existing design, it won't be truly original. I've been following this approach for six years, and it's what defines my design style today.
What features of your work would you highlight?
- The most distinctive feature of my work is that my designs are original and don't exist elsewhere. I particularly enjoy designing dragons and tigers, creating their faces and detailed elements from scratch, and working on them for a long time. My designs aren't found on the internet, which I believe is a unique aspect of my work. Additionally, I often use solid colors in my designs. For instance, when I design something in blue, I use a combination of dark blue and medium blue highlights. Blue is my signature color.
How popular is Korean culture outside of Korea?
- In the past, foreigners didn't know much about Korea, but today, it's clear that Korean culture has spread widely. Even in the big cities of the world, you can find famous Korean restaurants, and K-pop is easily accessible everywhere. Korean dramas and movies have also gained international fame. In the tattoo industry, Korean tattoo artists are renowned for their talent. I believe they are making bold new attempts and pioneering various paths.
How do you turn clients' ideas into tattoos? Or how does it work for you?
- When I receive a specific request from a client, I try to recreate it in my own style as much as possible. Since I have a distinctive design style, I can reinterpret and redesign various subjects in my own unique way.
What is the most important thing in tattooing for you?
- The most important aspect is the healing process of the tattoo. After all, a tattoo is a permanent mark on the skin, so ensuring that it heals well and remains in good condition is crucial. Additionally, originality in design is essential. Too many people easily use others' designs, and I think everyone should be aware of copyright issues.
Tell us about your most memorable project in your career.
- I recently completed a large cover-up on a client's back, which took a total of 10 sessions. The client had a previous large tattoo that she wanted to cover up, but several tattoo artists had turned her down. I decided to cover it up in my own style, and after a long process, I was able to complete the work. The client was very happy with the result, and I felt deeply rewarded.
When did you realize that your career was rapidly gaining momentum? How did it happen?
- I believe my career has been steadily building over time. Through hard work, research, and continuous creation of new designs, my career has gradually gained momentum.
Do you travel a lot? Do new places influence your creativity?
- I haven't traveled much. While it's certainly interesting to explore new spaces and cultures through travel, my design work isn't significantly influenced by it. I mostly draw inspiration from videos, images, other artists, movies, and similar sources.
What is the main goal of your journey? Share your plans for the future.
- My main goal is to continue tattooing for a long time. Over that period, I aim to expand my creative art world and make its value recognized by the public. Furthermore, I want to fuse my work with artistic content.
