Meet Seolhee, The Tattoo Artist Blending Korean History And Fantasy | Forbes
Tattoo artist Seolhee’s world is a kaleidoscopic playground. Nine-tailed foxes and cartoon characters dart in and out of petals framed by norigae, traditional Korean charms with symbolic knots. Plum blossoms painted in a centuries-old style blend their brushstrokes with otherworldly colors of bright blue and purple. In each of her Instagram-viral designs, Korean history meets an element of fantasy.
“I wanted to make Korean culture and traditions more accessible and familiar,” Seolhee tells Forbes. “I believe it’s essential to always dream and have hope in life. I wanted my artwork to evoke the same joy and big dreams we experienced as children watching Disney and Studio Ghibli films.”
Seolhee’s original tattoo designs
Scrolling through her feed, it’s impossible to miss that element of childhood joy, which has captivated followers from all over the world. While she’s currently part of Hongdam Studio’s roster of talented tattoo artists, you’re just as likely to encounter her at the Seoul studio as you are at one of many international pop ups. (Her manager confirmed that 90% of Seolhee’s booking requests currently come from clients abroad, “especially from the U.S. over the past three years.”) To meet the rising demand for her work, she’s rarely in one place for long.
“I love talking to my clients because I tattoo people from all over the world, and each interaction offers a unique experience,” says Seolhee. Much of her inspiration comes from a blend of historical sources and her own imagination, but she also draws new ideas from each session. “Each client has their own reasons for getting a tattoo, and hearing their stories helps me understand their perspectives and incorporate their ideas into my designs,” she says.
Left: Tattoo artist Seolhee’s original design; Right: Seolhee at Hongdam Studio in Seoul
Before she began tattooing, Seolhee dreamed of becoming a hanbok designer and putting her own spin on the traditional clothing. “I’ve always loved hanbok and historical paintings, which led me to major in Korean painting,” she says. “This allowed me to deeply explore traditional Korean culture.” In the process of her design journey, a plot twist occurred when a certain set of tattoos caught her eye on social media. “His work felt like art,” she says. “I thought expressing my ideas on the ‘walking gallery’ of a person would be more accessible than a traditional gallery, and I decided I had to learn this art form. That was the beginning of my journey.”
The work in question was by Hongdam, one of Korea’s most in-demand tattoo artists who counts Han So Hee and Chloë Grace Moretz among his celebrity clients. But back then, it was his striking designs that left an impression Seolhee. “I saw a post about an exhibition at a café in front of his studio and went there to meet him,” she says of her “current mentor.”
It would be some time before Seolhee formally joined Hongdam Studio, but that day was the beginning of her career. At the time, says Hongdam, he had no plans to take on students. Instead, he left her with some advice and introduced her to other studios where she could hone her craft. Months later, he saw her tattoos on Instagram. “I felt compelled to offer guidance,” he says. “We reconnected and she began formal training at my studio. I regretted not teaching her from the start.”
Seolhee’s original tattoo designs
Seolhee rebuilt her basic techniques “step by step” with Hongdam, covering everything from art theory to tattoo techniques. As they worked together, her own style began to emerge, manifesting in the themes she’s known for today. From the beginning, says Hongdam, she seemed destined for success. “She excelled at engaging in deep conversations with clients, forming long-lasting relationships unlike the usual brief interactions,” he says. “Everyone loves her positive energy and the quality of her work.”
This year, Seolhee has traveled all over the world to meet her clients and has been selected as a judge for the upcoming Mummy International Tattoo Expo, Constanta International Tattoo Convention, and Metz Tattoo Expo. She’ll also be appearing regularly at Hongdam’s new tattoo studio in Los Angeles when it opens this fall, says her mentor.
“Many clients, especially from the U.S., fly long distances to get tattoos from her,” he says. “I’m excited to see what Seolhee will achieve there.”
For now, she’s continuing to do what she loves all over the world. “Expressing a fantasy world through the Korean traditions I love is something I do to inspire others,” she says. “Through my tattoos, I hope to encourage people to dream and find hope, even if only for a moment.”
Sarah Y. Wu is a Senior Contributor for Forbes. See her work at sarahywu.com and follow her on Instagram @say.wu.
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