In issue 28 of Tattoo Love magazine (Spanish edition), we had the pleasure of interviewing Sumok Kim (USA & Canada). This is a summary of the interview conducted:

Introduction and Background

• Name: Sumok Kim
• Origin: South Korea
• Career: 8 years in tattooing, working between Toronto and New York.
• Start: Inspired by the movie ‘Mad Max’, he began tattooing seeking financial stability but ended up falling in love with the art.

Style and Technique

• Specialization: Realistic tattoos with an emphasis on surrealism.
• Techniques: Use of various needle sizes, especially mag needles for animal fur textures.
• Influences: Admiration for French tattoo artist Ossian Staraj.

Creative Process

• Design: Detailed consultations with clients, designs on iPad, typically takes about 3 days.
• Collaboration: Adapting to the client’s figure and preferences.

Experiences and Projects

• Memorable: Attendance at tattoo conventions, notably one in London, Canada.
• Pride: Asian-style realistic tattoo on a close friend, winning awards at a convention.

Challenges and Learning

• Challenges: Time demand and physical strain in his style of work.
• Advice for Emerging Artists: Importance of correct posture for high-quality results.

Trends and Future

• Current Interests: Tattoos of portraits and human faces.

Advice and Recommendations

• Tattoo Care: Follow the artist’s instructions, maintain cleanliness, and avoid extreme efforts in the first month.

Personal Life and Hobbies

• Balance: Life centered around tattooing, with little free time but satisfied.
• Hobbies: Enjoys drinking with his fiancée after work.
• Personal Tattoo: A shark on his arm, symbolizing motivation to keep moving forward.

Contact

• Instagram: @Sumok_tattooer
• Work: Chronic Ink in Canada, soon in New York.

Extras

• Inspiration: The book ‘The Secret’, movies like ‘Mad Max’.
• Alternative Profession: Actor.
• Personality: Described as “Work, Tattoo, Addict”.
• Superstitions: Avoids stepping on manhole covers and white lines at crossroads.

Interviewed at Tattoo Love Spain

Do you want to see a full interview we conducted at Tattoo Love Spain? Click here.