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

Sangjo, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I am a tattoo artist. Tattoos are illegal in Korea. The reason is that Korean doctors cannot use the medical law as an excuse to pass laws on tattoo artists. However, Korea has many of the world’s greatest artists. I want to be one of them too. The reason I say this is to tell you about the work that was most meaningful to me. My client has very severe keloid skin scarring. The hospital also refused treatment and said it was impossible. Some hospitals forced treatment, but it was ineffective. The customer eventually decided to cover the scar with a tattoo. After several months of hard work, we created a wonderful finished product. Because of the scar, he couldn’t date properly and couldn’t even take off his t-shirt when exercising. He said that even during his military service, he was so embarrassed that he couldn`t changed his clothes in public. But his life changed after getting a tattoo. After taking my top off at the beach or the pool in the summer and having a girlfriend, I was so happy when I got the call. We are tattooist Sometimes we even heal our customers’ emotional wounds. I think it is more valuable than the medical methods that Korean doctors talk about.

Sangjo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have majored in oriental painting for a long time. I graduated from arts high school and art college. I spent my teens and 20s doing oriental painting. After graduating from college, I worked at other jobs for about 3 years, but I was always thirsty for art. At that time, my friend became a tattoo artist. I’ve always been interested in tattoos ever since. A friend who knew that wanted me to become a tattoo artist and recommended me. I started tattooing late, when I was 30 years old. From the moment I started, my goal was clear and I decided to draw oriental paintings on the human body instead of on paper. And I continue to study until now. I am researching ways to mix black and gray with brush strokes so that my customers can enjoy the results. I think that mixing oriental painting and fine art, which were previously limited, is a great advantage for my artwork. And when I convey what I do to a clients and they like it and allow me to draw it on their skin, I feel happy.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After graduating from univ, I quit painting and ran a small restaurant. And it was quite successful. So, I sold it and took a break for a while under the pretense of pursuing my dream. That was the big problem. I always thought I worked hard and worked part-time, so I wasted my time because I wasn’t used to taking breaks. And I invested to start an easy business, but the money I had saved went bankrupt. And then I started working as a carpenter. The work was well recognized by the company and the pay was good. However, I went back to find what I liked and chose the job of Tattoo Life is a series of choices. I made that choice and I cannot blame anyone else. However, it wasn’t a useless experience. When I started tattooing, my life experiences fit together like a puzzle. So, I have been enjoying tattooing ever since. Sometimes I feel stressed about getting tattoos illegally in Korea, but that only lasts for a short time. What I want to say is that if you do your best in the situation and work without regrets, you will not fail and you will gain experience. I have been like that and I will always be like that.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, I am not on a creative journey, but I have goals. In the future, I want to work in another country with a legal visa so that I can legally do what I like and be happy. I will do my best to achieve that and work hard to ensure that more people like the artwork.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jayhan_tattoo

Image Credits
tattoo works