Meet Sion Kwak

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sion Kwak. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sion below.

Hi Sion, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – For some, that’s being the only one with a distinct style or adapting to a new environment outside of their hometown. Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

When I first introduced my Korean-inspired style in the U.S., I aimed to create works that reflected my unique interpretation and color palette. At first, I was concerned about how my style would be received in a new environment. However, from the very beginning, many people appreciated the stories, meanings, and emotions I wanted to convey, showing great interest in my work.

To work effectively, I focused on two key principles. First, maintaining a strong foundation while ensuring high-quality execution. Second, having confidence in my artistic style and identity.
In the end, my unique artistic voice became my greatest strength—serving as a meaningful bridge that allows me to connect with diverse audiences on a deeper level.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a tattoo artist who creates works infused with Korean aesthetics and a unique color palette. My brand focuses on reinterpreting Korean elements with a modern touch, incorporating diverse personal stories into my designs. I find great fulfillment in expressing these narratives through my style, bridging cultures and creating something new.

Currently based in Los Angeles, I engage with people from various backgrounds, constantly exchanging ideas and perspectives. Recently, I participated in a tattoo convention, connecting with fellow artists and serving as a judge. I regularly introduce new designs and projects, and I look forward to meeting more people through diverse creative collaborations.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three key qualities that have been especially important in my career journey are curiosity, empathy, and consistency.
My curiosity developed naturally as I constantly explored and experimented with new ideas. Empathy and understanding grew as I listened to the diverse stories of the people I encountered. Consistency, too, became more familiar and comfortable through the daily work I do.

Of course, everyone has their own approach, but for me, the biggest growth came when I stayed deeply engaged with what I love and made a genuine effort to connect with people.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

Personally, I believe it’s more important to focus on developing one’s strengths. For me, strengths are things I naturally excel at and enjoy, and aspects of my work that resonate with others.

In practice, when I concentrated on the style and strengths I love, I found the process more enjoyable and the results came much more naturally. On the other hand, when I tried to force myself to work on areas where I wasn’t as strong, I often lost confidence or struggled to find direction.

Of course, this may not be the right approach for everyone, but for me, diving deep into what I love has brought the greatest satisfaction and growth.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattooist_sion/