We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dahye Lee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with dahye below.

Alright, Dahye thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve loved drawing since I was young, and that naturally led me to study design in college. During that time, I got my first tattoo, and it completely changed how I saw art—it felt more personal and lasting, which made me want to explore it further and eventually pursue it as a career.

Looking back, I think one of the most important things has been developing a unique style that truly feels like my own. Rather than following trends, I focused on creating work that reflects my personal aesthetic and emotion.

If I could go back, I would have trusted my instincts earlier and spent less time comparing myself to others. That probably would have helped me grow more confidently and quickly.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was that tattooing was illegal in Korea when I first started, which made it difficult to practice and share my work openly. Since then, tattooing has become legalized, and I’ve also had the opportunity to continue my career in the United States, where I can work more freely and connect with a wider range of clients. This shift has allowed me to grow both personally and artistically.

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 background and context?

I’m a tattoo artist based in Los Angeles, originally from Korea. I’ve always loved drawing, and while I was studying design in college, I got my first tattoo—that’s when I became interested in tattooing more seriously.

I usually work with soft, flowing designs inspired by nature, like flowers or organic shapes. I like creating pieces that feel natural on the body, almost like they belong there.

For me, it’s not just about the tattoo itself but the feeling behind it. A lot of my clients come in with something personal in mind, and I try to translate that into something simple but meaningful.

When I first started, tattooing was illegal in Korea, so that made things difficult in the beginning. Now it’s legalized, and I’m also working in the U.S., which has given me more freedom and opportunities to grow.

I think what matters most to me is making work that people feel connected to—something subtle, but still special in their everyday life.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I started tattooing in Korea when it was still illegal, so there were a lot of limits on how I could work and share my art. It wasn’t easy, but I kept going because I knew this was what I wanted to do.

Now it’s legalized, and I’m also working in the U.S., which has given me a lot more freedom. Looking back, that time pushed me to stay consistent and really find my own style

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’m drawn to creating work that feels soft, natural, and personal. My goal is to make tattoos that feel like they belong to the person, rather than just sitting on the skin.

A lot of my inspiration comes from nature—flowers, organic shapes, and the way things flow. I like keeping that sense of movement and balance in my work.

More than anything, I want my tattoos to feel meaningful in a quiet way. Not too loud, but something people can carry with them every day and still feel connected to over time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dareumtattoo