We were lucky to catch up with Amber Kim recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amber, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I’ve spent years quietly building my craft through patience, persistence, and curiosity. In the beginning, I drew endlessly—until my hands hurt—chasing the balance between softness and strength. I practiced over and over on synthetic skin, refining my technique through repetition and intention. Along the way, I learned from conversations with other artists around the world, exchanging ideas, methods, and philosophies.
It was a slow, personal journey—one shaped not by a classroom, but by trial, connection, and reflection.
Now, I get to meet clients from across the globe and turn their stories into art that stays with them forever. To me, that’s the most beautiful part of this work—not just creating something visual, but being trusted to carry someone’s memory, emotion, or transformation. I feel grateful every day that this is my path. And I know that I’ll always keep learning, because this craft is alive—it grows as I do.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Amber Kim, also known as Tattooist Gaon. I’m a tattoo artist based in South Korea, and I specialize in fine line floral pieces, ornamental designs, and a unique style inspired by traditional Korean norigae—an elegant accessory historically worn with hanbok, our traditional dress. Norigae carries symbolic meanings of good fortune and beauty, and I reinterpret its delicate aesthetics into timeless, wearable art for the skin.
My journey into tattooing wasn’t something I planned—it was something I was slowly drawn to, without realizing it. I found myself fascinated not just by images on skin, but by how those images could carry memories, meanings, and moments that stay with someone forever. It started with drawing flowers, patterns, and objects that felt emotionally resonant, and gradually evolved into something much bigger: a way of helping others express themselves through permanent, deeply personal art.
What sets my work apart is my focus on balance, composition, and longevity. I believe a tattoo should feel beautiful not just now, but 10 or 20 years from now. My goal is to create designs that age with grace—never trendy, never tired. I guide my clients gently through the design process, listening to their stories and needs, and then shaping them into something elegant, unique, and refined. Rather than simply executing a request, I collaborate with each person to ensure the final piece is both meaningful and visually stunning.
One of the greatest honors of this work is the chance to meet people from around the world and turn their emotions, memories, and transformations into something they carry for life. I don’t take that lightly. Every piece I make holds a story, and I treat it with the care it deserves.
If you’ve ever thought about getting a tattoo—something that feels soft yet powerful, delicate yet grounded—I would be honored to create something with you. Let’s make something you’ll love for a very, very long time.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When my first son was still an infant—just under one year old—I lost my husband unexpectedly. It was one of the most difficult moments of my life. At the time, I was fully booked every day with clients, and though the grief could have easily overwhelmed me, I chose to pour myself into my work. Tattooing became my anchor. Rather than sinking into sadness, I found strength in doing what I loved—and in doing it for my son. I wanted to become a mother he could be proud of, someone who kept going, who kept creating beauty even in the midst of loss.
Raising my son as a single mother wasn’t easy, but it gave me a powerful sense of purpose. My work gave me joy, stability, and a way to stay connected to who I was. It carried me through the hardest season of my life. Years later, I remarried and now have two beautiful children. I’ve built a life where my family and my creative work exist in harmony. I’m genuinely happy, and I think a big part of that came from not giving up during the darkest days—but instead, letting my craft carry me into the light.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part of being a tattoo artist is the deep, emotional connection I get to build with the people who trust me with their skin. When a client comes to me with something they want to remember, honor, or carry with them forever—and I can turn that into a beautiful piece of art—it’s incredibly meaningful. I see tears, smiles, and quiet moments of release. I see healing happen right in front of me.
What humbles me most is that people travel from all over the world to see me. Some take long flights, others wait months just to sit in my chair. That trust, that connection—it reminds me every day why I do what I do. To create something permanent, not just on the body but in the heart, is a gift I don’t take lightly.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tattooist_gaon
Image Credits
Photo by Amber Kim