Kim Jungyeon, better known by her tattoo alias Nonlee, is a South Korean artist whose brightly colored, painterly tattoos have garnered attention worldwide. Born in 1993 in Guri, a small city near Seoul, Nonlee developed an early passion for the arts. She earned a degree in sculpture from Ewha Womans University in 2016, a prestigious institution recognized for its focus on female education. During her university years, she also began teaching art to high school students preparing for art college entrance exams.
In 2021, Nonlee decided to transition into tattooing, shifting away from her role as a teacher. Despite her new career path, she continued to draw from her diverse background in various artistic mediums, including pencil drawing and watercolor, which she had utilized in her teaching career for nearly nine years.
Nonlee’s choice of tattooing as a profession was not a decision she took lightly. Her alias, “Nonlee,” is a playful reference to a Korean idiom meaning “well-organized and logical in speech or action,” which she intended to resonate with her Korean clients, though it has since become a memorable name internationally.
In her tattoo work, Nonlee emphasizes the use of vibrant color, light, and shadow to create depth and dimensionality. She explains that her artistic process is driven by the desire to connect with people on a deeper level, something she found lacking in her previous experiences with painting and sculpture.
“When I was studying visual arts, I realized that the sterile environment of a gallery didn’t match my creative sensibilities. I longed for something more dynamic,” she said. “Tattooing provides that dynamic space, and there’s nothing more dynamic than art on the human body.”
Tattooing, she adds, allows her to engage with clients in a way that traditional art forms couldn’t. “It’s not just about the artwork itself but the connection I make with the person wearing it. Each tattoo evolves alongside the individual, which makes the experience all the more rewarding.”
Nonlee also discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic, despite its challenges, allowed her the opportunity to fully explore tattooing as a career. “A pivotal moment for me was when a student asked me to teach him basic drawing skills to pursue a career in tattooing,” she recalled. “That sparked my interest in the art form. Although I loved teaching, I always felt the urge to create my own artwork.”
For Nonlee, tattooing isn’t merely about financial success—it’s about the personal fulfillment that comes with making lasting connections through art. “I find it incredibly rewarding to know that my artwork will age and evolve alongside the person who bears it,” she explained.
Related topics: