9 Korean Tattoo Artists Coming To Singapore In February 2023 - Book Your Appointment ASAP

By Rachel Yohannan on 19 Jan 2023

Senior Digital Editor

Crazy cat lady who loves afternoon tea, kawaii Japanese fashion, and all things Sanrio.

Korea’s tattoo artists have built a reputation for being some of the best in the world thanks to their creativity and perfectly honed skills, and it’s not uncommon for people to travel to Seoul and other Korean cities just to get their ink done - similar to how many also hop on flights for cosmetic tourism there.

If you don’t have any vacations scheduled for the near future but would still like to experience the same tattoo workmanship, book an appointment with these 8 Korean tattoo artists who happen to be making a trip to Singapore this coming February 2023. Each one of them has their own style speciality, ranging from colourful cartoon-like designs to fine line art in black ink.

#1: e.ple_tattoo - colourful fruits, florals, & small pet portraits

Photo from @e.ple_tattoo via Instagram

Exude “magical girl” anime vibes with the cute and colourful designs by @e.ple_tattoo, who’s popular for their fruity and floral illustrations accompanied with whimsical motifs like sparkles, bows, and pink-purple clouds.

Photo from @e.ple_tattoo via Instagram

Their peach and lemon designs seem especially popular among customers, and we can see why - they look super fresh and fun, with perfect shading that gives them that juicy, ripened look!

Photo from @e.ple_tattoo via Instagram

They’re also skilled at small pet paw-traits, so whether you’re a paw-rent to a dog or cat, they can get the images of their likenesses permanently imbued onto your skin in a subtle way.

Photo from @e.ple_tattoo via Instagram

Availability in Singapore: Mid-February 2023
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#2: tattooist_iruda - filled in with flowers

Photo from @tattooist_iruda via Instagram

Instead of tracing in the finer details and employing shading techniques like most tattoo artists, @tattooist_iruda fills in the outlines of their animal-themed drawings with pretty blooms. In this way, two designs are weaved into a single final product, giving you the best of both worlds.

Photo from @tattooist_iruda via Instagram

Their butterfly tattoos are especially sought after, but you can also request for others including birds, snakes, whales, and moon phases.

Photo from @tattooist_iruda via Instagram

Of course, they can also do standalone floral designs, with muted hues for a tasteful and romantic look.

Photo from @tattooist_iruda via Instagram

Availability in Singapore: 13 - 15 February 2023
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#3: payan.tattooist - watercolour-style cartoon animals

Photo from @payan.tattooist via Instagram

Animal-lovers on the lookout for something cute and quirky can head straight to @payan.tattooist, whose imaginative cartoon drawings are worthy of children’s picture books. Examples include astronaut cats, bunnies in mushroom costumes, and bears as parfaits.

Photo from @payan.tattooist via Instagram

These are all done with a watercolour effect. A lot of the designs are drawn out on actual watercolour paper beforehand so you can have a realistic sense of how they’ll look on your skin. If you don’t have a specific idea in mind, check out their frequent flash collections for something you can “adopt” right away.

Photo from @payan.tattooist via Instagram

Availability in Singapore: Mid-February 2023
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#4: jku_tattoo - elegant black ink

Photo from @jku_tattoo via Instagram

You might think of black ink tattoos as being on the masculine side, but @jku_tattoo will change your perception of this artform with their intricate work. While still with that edgy quality that blank ink is known for, their designs come with a certain haute goth sort of softness - we’re talking darkness with an elegant twist.

Photo from @jku_tattoo via Instagram

A good number of their designs include nature-themed motifs like roses, birds, butterflies, and seashells, along with decorated hearts and swords that look straight out of a fantasy novel.

Photo from @jku_tattoo via Instagram

Availability in Singapore: January 20, 26, & 30 | February 1, 2, 6, 8, & 9
Instagram

#5: tattooist_mim - dinky child-like doodles

Photo from @tattooist_mim via Instagram

Get yourself inked by @tattooist_mim and you might just have every new person you meet asking, “Is that real?”, for their dinky child-like designs look as though they’ve been doodled on in felt tip markers. While they’re perhaps not to everyone’s taste, they’ll certainly add a pop of colour to your life - a good reminder to have fun and not take things too seriously.

Photo from @tattooist_mim via Instagram

Their forte lies in symbols like hearts, rainbows, smiley faces, and small flowers, along with more complex designs featuring animals and popular cartoon characters including Kirby and the Sanrio gang.

Photo from @tattooist_mim via Instagram

Availability in Singapore: Mid-February 2023
Instagram

#6. tattooist_yun - realistic botanical designs

Photo from @tattooist_yun via Instagram

@tattooist_yun is a master of many styles - cutesy, semi-realistic, monochrome, you name it. But we’re most drawn to their bouquet tattoos, which very much resemble the detailed illustrations found in those vintage botany textbooks seen in museums overseas.

Photo from @tattooist_yun via Instagram

Her animal designs are pretty darn gorgeous as well - check out this whale and snowflake design in mermaid-esque colours!

Photo from @tattooist_yun via Instagram

Availability in Singapore: Throughout February 2023
Instagram

#7: uweoljansang - celestial fine line ornament tattoos

Photo from @uweoljansang via Instagram

Minimalist but magical - that’s how we’d describe the work by @uweoljansang, who draws the most delicate fine line ornament tattoos with tip top precision. These often take on a celestial concept, with patterns featuring stars, sparkles, and the moon, and are an ideal choice if you’re looking for something subtle. They work well as finger tatts too!

Photo from @uweoljansang via Instagram

The tattoo artist typically works with black ink, which allows the thin lines to stand out more noticeably, but you can also request for simple colouration if so desired.

Photo from @uweoljansang via Instagram

Availability in Singapore: 13 - 15 February 2023
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#8: heemee.tattoo - feminine & whimsical

Photo from @heemee.tattoo via Instagram

Girly girls are sure to fall in love with the whimsical tattoos by @heemee.tattoo. From butterflies to multifaceted heart jewels and small food items such as cherries and gummy bears, all their designs have a dreamy, feminine appeal that allows them to look right in place even when you’re all dolled up in a pretty dress for a dinner date.

Photo from @heemee.tattoo via Instagram

Fans of cartoon characters will be thrilled to know that they can recreate your favourites such as Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, Pikachu, Lotso, and more - customised all to your liking. Here’s Sanrio’s My Melody with a sweet strawberry theme!

Photo from @heemee.tattoo via Instagram

Animal tattoos are also part of their repertoire, so go on and make your pet a literal part of you fur-ever.

Photo from @heemee.tattoo via Instagram

Availability in Singapore: Early to Mid-February 2023|
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#9: s2.love.shrock.s2 - vibrant crayon-like tattoos

Photo from @s2.love.shrock.s2 via Instagram

Look like a human colouring book - in a good way, of course - with the crayon-like tattoos by @s2.love.shrock.s2. Their vibrantly-coloured designs are always on the cute side, though at times come with just a sprinkle of darkness a la Japan’s yami kawaii style, which translates to “sick cute”.

Photo from @s2.love.shrock.s2 via Instagram

Among the rainbow-hued cats, unicorns, and ribbon designs, you’ll also spot some rabbits with eye patches and devil stuffed bears, and roses with bat wings.

Photo from @s2.love.shrock.s2 via Instagram

Aside from crayon tattoos, the artist also often does sticker-like tattoos with a Harajuku-esque appearance, just like the one shown below.

Photo from @s2.love.shrock.s2 via Instagram

Availability in Singapore: 2 - 9 February 2023
Instagram

These Korean tattoo artists will be in Singapore for a limited period of time, so it’d be best to secure your appointment as soon as possible if you’re keen on getting inked by them. If you don’t manage to snag a slot, follow them for updates on any other upcoming guest work trips, or save this list for your future travels to Korea!