Meet Jinju Kim | Tattoo artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jinju Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jinju, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In Korea, I started out by working on my own, running my practice independently. That experience showed me how meaningful it is to build something of my own and connect closely with clients. Wanting to create a space where my art and vision could grow freely, I decided to open my own studio, which gave me the freedom to shape the environment and fully express my evolving style.

Now in Los Angeles, I am working at Vism Studio, where I continue to grow and share my pastel-inspired tattoo style with a wider community. For me, starting my own business has always been about independence, creative growth, and building something that truly reflects who I am as an artist—and those values still guide me in everything I do today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It was definitely not easy. From the very beginning, I felt a deep responsibility because tattoos are not just drawings—they are meaningful artworks that people carry on their skin for life. That pushed me to develop my style with the greatest care, always making sure that the colors healed beautifully and the design carried its meaning.

My work now is pastel-inspired, and I put a lot of effort into drawing directly with pastels to capture texture, softness, and depth. I wanted my tattoos to reflect the same warmth and delicate feeling of my drawings. There were times when I had to spend entire days just drawing and experimenting to refine the look and feel of my work.

Overcoming challenges wasn’t easy, but I found strength in spending time with my family and friends, and I also pushed myself to learn through books and constant practice. Each step helped me grow—not only as an artist but also as a person.

What I want the world to know about my art is that it’s deeply personal. Every piece I create is made with intention, care, and the belief that tattoos can hold meaning far beyond decoration. And I hope to be remembered as an artist who creates one-of-a-kind tattoos that feel warm and free, yet carry a strong sense of responsibility—just like the art I leave on the skin.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my favorite neighborhoods in LA is Silver Lake. If my best friend was visiting, I would definitely take them there first. We would start the day at one of my favorite cafes—either Maru Cafe or Canyon Coffee—for great coffee and the perfect atmosphere. For food, I’d take them to Ruen Pair, which has the best Thai food, and also to Courage Bagels, which serves some of the most delicious bagels I’ve ever had.

A spot I really love is Barnsdall Park—it’s such a beautiful and peaceful place. I’d want them to experience the Silver Lake Flea Market, explore some local cafes, and then relax at the park while taking in the view of the Hollywood sign and the calm, peaceful vibe of the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m deeply grateful to my friends and family. They have always supported me, encouraged me, and stood by me in everything I do. Their love and willingness to help have given me the strength to take risks and grow as an artist, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Website: https://www.vismstudio.com/artist/joojoo?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMPktlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp9wv_EVgm-Dmc2ijY-vOtnISkoBYgUTWlxs2HPhq6n5LMUx75xfhWpkllcjN_aem_sJpGZ3yADRfjrxj7YBWGhg

Instagram: https://tattoo.joojoo

Image Credits
Me