He works at ‘nonfromseoul’ in the art district of Los Angeles and radiates energy with his bright Red and Black colors that set Oriental tradition on fire. Welcome to Dino Kim!
Hi Dino, what inspired you to become a professional tattoo artist in life?
Before becoming a tattoo artist, I was a professional soccer player in South Korea. I started playing soccer seriously at the age of 8 and continued through college, eventually playing for a professional Korean soccer team for two years after graduation. However, after undergoing seven surgeries on my left ankle, I was no longer able to use it and had to retire.
Having spent 19 years dedicated solely to soccer, I realized I didn’t have any other skills and had to think seriously about the next chapter of my life. Since I had been getting tattoos myself since I was 20, I naturally became interested in them. Additionally, the second career of a soccer player I deeply admired was being a tattoo artist, which inspired and gave me the courage to start this journey myself.
Your way of understanding Oriental tattoos is very respectful of traditions. At the same time, however, the use of the color red, in your case, is truly meaningful and ambitious. Do you rely a lot on that color to give expressiveness to your works?
Before I knew it, black and red became my signature colors. Many people prefer black and red designs and come to me seeking bold, high-contrast pieces. I also love and prefer strong contrasts and clean, refined artwork, so I feel this style aligns well with me.
In Traditional designs, I believe that bold red tones add a sense of elegance and intensity, creating a vibrant energy in the artwork.
However, I don’t rely solely on red. To create unique designs that evoke fresh feelings, I’ve been experimenting with various colors, continuously evolving my style.
Do you think you’ve had a mentor in your life?
I started tattooing as a self-taught artist, but a few years ago, I met my mentor, Horimaroo (IG: @horimaroo), who helped me grow significantly. Horimaroo taught me various aspects of design and tattooing skills, and even now, I gain a lot of inspiration and advice from him. In my life, I’m building my career as a tattoo artist based on the experiences I had as a professional soccer player. I always strive to improve, maintaining self-discipline and living by the motto, “Effort never betrays.”
What can you tell me about your studio curiously called ‘nonfromseoul’?
Our studio (IG: @nonfromseoul) is located in Los Angeles, USA, and despite the name, all of our artists are originally from Korea. While we are primarily a tattoo studio, we are also planning various artistic activities. We are a group of individuals passionate about pursuing diverse creative endeavors, including exhibitions, collaborations with brands, and creating merchandise.
Our goal is to go beyond being just a tattoo studio and evolve into a brand in itself.
What 2025 do you imagine?
It looks like 2025 will be another very busy year. Starting with the Paris tattoo convention (IG:@mondialdutatouage) in January and the ‘Gods of Ink’ in Frankfurt (IG: @godsofinktattooconvention) in March, I already have multiple conventions and exhibition schedules lined up. Additionally, I’m planning to teach at a university in Korea next year. I’m also preparing a large tattoo project to showcase at next year’s conventions and planning various artistic activities for our studio’s exhibition.
And your last famous words are… ?
Please continue to show interest in me (IG: @dino_oriental) and follow my journey. Like I said before “Effort never betrays”.
