We are very pleased to present you an exclusive interview with Young Gi Cho, a Korean tattoo artist with almost 10 years of experience. Young Gi journey in tattooing was inspired by his older brother and that later lead to a professional career as a tattoo artist. Let’s dive in, into his fascinating story.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you like to introduce yourself?
My name is Younggi Cho from South Korea. I’ve been tattooing for about 9 years and I do black and grey realism and micro realism. I love putting geometric lines and figures to make a design look more creative and because of that I always think about the body flow. I try to put more textures and details for the high quality of tattoos and the cool vibes.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
Actually my big brother is a tattoo artist working in Canada. I wasn’t always particularly interested in tattoos, but I’ve always been drawn to the arts since I was young. Watching my older brother work as a tattoo artist and create impressive designs sparked a deep interest in me, and I began dreaming of a career as a tattoo artist. A career where I could create unforgettable works for my clients.
So at what point in your life did you become a professional tattoo artist?
I originally studied classical piano and composition when I was young. I played the piano and composed music for about 10 years, but due to personal circumstances, I decided to attend a regular university. During my time in college and while serving in the military, I felt a strong desire to work in the tattoo arts again. I sought advice from my older brother, who was already working as a tattoo artist, and he told me that while it would be challenging without a background in drawing, it was still possible. With that encouragement, I began my apprenticeship in Korea. Over the course of three years, I drew a lot, observed and learned from various artists, and immersed myself in the tattoo industry. Through this experience, my passion for becoming a tattoo artist grew even stronger.
Where are you based?
I’m originally based in Seoul, Korea. I used to have my own shop opened with my friends, but these days I travel a lot to make better work and gain various experiences all over the world.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in South Korea these days?
Unfortunately, tattooing is illegal in Korea. Only licensed medical doctors are allowed to handle needles, which means that tattoo artists working in the country are, ironically, not operating legally. Additionally, Korean culture has traditionally viewed tattoos as part of the underground scene. While our generation has become more accepting, older generations still tend to have a negative perception of tattoos. However, tattoos are becoming increasingly popular among younger generations in Korea, and the perception of tattoo artists is gradually improving. There are many incredibly talented tattoo artists in Korea, and I hope that tattooing will be legalized soon so that the Korean tattoo scene can continue to grow, diversify, and produce even more exceptional artists.
How would you define your current tattoo style and how did you end up focusing on it?
From the beginning of my tattoo journey, I was always drawn to realism. I initially started with a classic black and gray style, but over time, I developed a strong interest in micro-realism tattoos. To me, micro-realism felt more like fashion. Since I’ve always had a deep interest in fashion, I naturally gravitated toward more trendy and stylish designs. Micro-realism became a major source of inspiration for me, and I decided to focus on creating trendy yet approachable micro-realism tattoos. I dedicated a lot of time to studying various techniques and refining details. Recently, I have been exploring larger-scale pieces instead of just one-point tattoos, experimenting and learning to push my work to the next level.
Please walk us through your process when you start a new tattoo for your customers.
I invest a lot of time in consultations with my clients to ensure the best possible results. Most clients come with a specific concept or theme in mind, and I take the time to discuss their ideas—either in person or online—to find the best approach. During these consultations, if I come up with a good idea, I often suggest it to the client, always striving to create something fresh and unique. While I do my best to incorporate the elements my clients want, if I believe a certain approach may not be the best from a professional standpoint, I am honest with them and work together to find a better solution. I see tattoos as my art, but I also believe they are a collaborative creation between me and my clients. I constantly design and draw the kind of work I want to create, and I think many clients are drawn to it because they genuinely like my designs.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
It’s something I always think about and work on, but in 2025, I want to truly find my own unique style and identity as an artist. I believe this is something every tattoo artist must continuously explore throughout their career, so I’m not in a rush, but I do hope to grow and evolve each year. Recently, I’ve been focusing on participating in various conventions and collaboration projects. Moving forward, I want to expand my work beyond just tattooing and explore different creative fields as well.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
The most rewarding moments as a tattoo artist are, of course, when I create great work. I also feel immense happiness when I see my clients truly satisfied and excited about their tattoos. As I mentioned earlier, I believe that tattoos are a collaborative art form between the artist and the client. Seeing my clients happy and proud of a piece that will stay with them for a lifetime gives me a deep sense of fulfillment. Additionally, I feel incredibly rewarded when other artists and the public recognize and appreciate my work. Receiving acknowledgment and praise from both my peers and the wider audience motivates me to keep growing and pushing my artistic boundaries.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
I don’t have extensive experience participating in various conventions yet. I have attended a few conventions in Canada and Asia, but recently, I’ve been planning to participate in larger and more diverse conventions with my sponsor team or crew. This year, I hope to observe and learn from the work of many talented artists at these events, as well as create great work of my own and showcase my art to a wider audience.
Did you ever participate in any tattoo contests?
I have participated in the micro-realism category at a convention before. Although I didn’t win an award, I learned a lot from the experience. Seeing the work process and final results of other artists in the same genre was incredibly inspiring and gave me valuable insights. Next time, I hope to create even better work and earn a great award.
So far what has been your primary reason for attending a tattoo convention?
The biggest reason I attend tattoo conventions is for experience and learning. Working in a new environment allows me to gain valuable insights and grow as an artist. Conventions provide an opportunity to connect and compete with talented artists, pushing myself to my limits and striving to create my best work. While I do attend to showcase my work, the most important reason is to observe and learn from other skilled artists, gaining inspiration and expanding my knowledge. Seeing artwork in person is completely different from viewing it on social media, making the experience even more meaningful.
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for the artists and the public?
With the rise of social media, it seems that many tattoo conventions have disappeared. When I first started tattooing, I remember there being larger and more diverse conventions, with both artists and the public actively participating to showcase and appreciate artwork. However, in recent years, the number of participating artists and attendees has noticeably decreased. While this is somewhat disappointing, I believe that organizers are doing their best, and I am hopeful that even better conventions will emerge in the future. It would also be great to see a wider variety of contest categories, allowing the new generation of artists to participate more easily and showcase their unique styles.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
Rather than my favorite convention, the most memorable one for me was my first-ever convention in Toronto. Since it was my first convention experience, everything felt new and exciting. I had the opportunity to see a wide range of talented artists, sponsor teams, and incredible artwork, which allowed me to learn a lot and gain a great deal of inspiration. The conventions I would love to attend the most are the God of Ink convention in Frankfurt, as well as the conventions in New York and Los Angeles.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
The most important thing is to put in a lot of research and effort to develop your own unique style and identity as an artist. Nowadays, there are so many talented artists, and a new generation of tattooists is constantly emerging in the scene. To stand out, you must continuously refine and evolve your style, skills, and artistic approach. Additionally, it’s essential to stay humble and maintain a positive mindset. Building good communication with clients and others in the tattoo industry is just as important as artistic ability.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
I have great respect for all artists and professionals working in the tattoo scene. However, I especially admire the OG Artists, as well as the brands and organizers who have put in so much effort for this industry. Thanks to their dedication and hard work, the tattoo scene has evolved into what it is today. Their contributions have also led to the development of more advanced tattoo machines and products, creating better work environments and allowing artists to produce even higher-quality work.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
I still have many accomplishments I want to achieve, but recently, one of my biggest achievements has been becoming a part of the Hustle Butter Deluxe Pro Team, which is a product I truly love. Another memorable accomplishment was collaborating with Sullen Clothing, one of my favorite brands, to create a T-shirt featuring my artwork. I’m very grateful for their help and since we are, I would also like to thank my good friends at Dynamic and Bishop Rotary for their support.
How do you stay at the top of your game?
I believe that I still need to put in more effort and growth to become a top artist. I will continue to work hard with a humble mindset, always striving to improve as an artist. With a positive attitude and a healthy body, I will keep pushing forward and evolving.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
To create great work, I constantly draw, design, and put a lot of thought into my art. I also use music, which I originally studied, as a hobby to find inspiration. Recently, I created a T-shirt featuring my drawings, and I’m planning to work on more diverse collaboration projects in the future.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
As a tattoo artist, I will continue striving to create more refined and unique work. I also want to collaborate in various fields and explore new creative opportunities. In the future, I hope to win awards at major conventions and even participate as a judge.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
I always want to express my gratitude to everyone who supports Ygtattoos and appreciates my work. I will continue to grow and do my best as an artist, so I hope you will keep following my journey. Lastly, I would also like to thank the World Tattoo Events team for conducting this interview.
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