From the famous city of Busan, in South Korea, Baki took place in a discret studio dedicated to tattoo named OTS. Largely inspired by art, traditions and stories from the old Japanese folklore, Baki dives into these wide and endless possibilities and make something new and fresh with love, devotion and passion. The result is simply so gooooood… and totally assumed! Let’s have a little journey in Baki’s world. Enjoy!
- Baki, can you introduce yourself to the readers of Inkers?
Hello everyone! My name is Baki and I am a tattoo artist based in South Korea. I’m specialized in Japanese Tattoo.
- Can you also introduce the other tattoo artists and persons who work with you at OTS tattoo studio?
My family consists of QSUN, which is specialized in Korean Pin-ups girls, and Tay, which is specialized in Black Japanese Tattoo.
- What gave you the desire to be a tattooist?
I was just losing interest in my regular field of work at that time and wanted to find something new to do. I love art, and I wanted to do something with it, so that is how I started my profession as a tattooist.
- When did you start tattooing, since how long? What was your first steps in tattoo?
I started around 2006. I'm close to hitting 16 years of being an artist. After I experienced a slump with the job that I had back then, I got introduced to this field by an acquaintance. And now, I’m so lucky coz’I’m still working in the same field that I love so much.
- As we can see, there was a huge tattoo explosion in South Korea, when does it start, who were the persons that pushed tattoo in South Korea?
Hmmm… Well, this is going to be based on my opinion. I believe Yushi, a tattoo artist from San Diego (Yushi Tattoo, Oyabun Tattoo, San Diego, USA had a big influence on what happened about tattoo here in South Korea.
- A few years ago, it was very rare, and also dangerous, to be a tattooist, how is it nowadays? How the Korean people and authorities see the tattoo? Do they accept it?
I believe that tattoos are being more accepted by our society. Believe it or not, a lot of people even from back then always dreamt of having this profession of being a tattoo artist. But knowing that it was taboo in our society in the past, that is what impeded people from actually pursuing their dreams. This taboo still exists, from people who are part of the older generation - not only in Korea, but also places like the United States. Therefore, I think that when we grow older and are considered to be part of the old generation, the majority of the people will have a different mindset about tattoos. More towards a positive mindset.
- Are you a few tattoo artists in your country? Can you tell us how many tattoo studios are open in South Korea and who are the good and important Korean tattoo artists?
Oh, there's a lot. Tattoos and tattooing are still illegal here in Korea, so there are many people who work in the underground scene. Also, there are waaaay too many people who are good here, so no comment on my part. Ha ha ha!
- How is the city where you’re living, what kind of place is it?
I currently live in a city called Busan in South Korea. It's located in the southern region of my country. It's amazing here. There's the sea nearby, people are great here, and the food is amazing too.
- There are a lot of Japanese influences in your work? Why?
When I first started tattooing, there weren't a lot of social media channels like Instagram or Facebook, where I could find references based on my focus. I resulted into looking at magazines that portrayed a lot of Japanese tattoos. Therefore, I naturally adopted the Japanese style.
- Do you use also some ideas from Korean’s culture, art and folklore in your tattoos?
Of course! I believe that my customers' opinions are most important. If they want to include Korean based themes, then I do apply them to the art.
- Are in Korea the same folklore like the yokai, bakemono, mononoke and so… as in Japan culture and art?
They're not all the same. Korea has their own renditions of characters that are parts of our own folklore. However, I believe that the Japanese versions of the characters and stories are better. Take for example the Korean dokkaebi, or the Korean Goblin. In Japan, you will call them yokai. The Japanese yokai have more background stories and versions compared to Korea’s dokkaebi.
- What kind of tattoos do you like to do first, the little and middle sized ones or the big ones? And why?
I like to work with mid-size tattoos first. Although I do small-sized tattoos, I find that starting with the mid-size range can include more expressions. And the bigger the tattoo, the more I can input into it.
- Who are the tattoo artists you like a lot, from foreign countries to Korean tattooists?
There are too many! Ha ha ha! I would say that majority of the artists that I look up to are located outside of Korea. My favorite one is Ichibay from Japan!!
- Your tattoo studio is not a street tattoo shop, it was your choice or because too difficult or to expensive to open a street shop?
Even today, tattooing is still illegal here in Korea, so I do have to work discreetly. Our studio, OTS, is somewhat hidden from people accessing it easily. It's a nice place, and it's a place where we can focus on our work.
- Did you travel to other countries? Which ones? What countries and places do you want to visit?
Yes! I have been to Europe! Italy and Switzerland to be exact. Though since the pandemic, we have been limiting the places that we travel out to. If I were to go and visit a place though, I would consider Australia or Spain.
- Thanx a lot Baki! Here the end of the interview, please, the last words are yours.
I'm not much of a talker, to be honest, so I'll keep this short. I wish everyone good health and happiness. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Insta: baki_ots
