The Story Behind Nonlee’s Signature Tattoo Style

Tattoo artist Jungyeon Kim, known to her 199K Instagram followers as Nonlee Ink, is internationally recognized for her signature style of micro-realistic color tattooing. Based in Korea, she has earned acclaim for what she calls “Realistic Impressionism,” a vivid blend of technical detail, exaggerated color, and emotional expression.

With a background in fine art and experience as an art instructor, Nonlee brings both precision and soul to her work. “I aim to express even the smallest details with precision,” she explains. “But I also like to exaggerate light and color in ways that feel emotionally vivid.”

Her work has received global recognition. In 2024, she won Best Medium Color at the NIX Tattoo Show in Canada and placed third in the Best Medium Colors category at the prestigious Milano Tattoo Convention. Most recently, she was invited to judge the Vancouver Tattoo & Culture Show in June 2025. “Judging was exciting and inspiring,” she says. “It felt like a moment of validation for all the time and effort I’ve put in.”

Nonlee is also an Official Sponsored Artist with Radiant Ink, a brand she credits as being integral to her creative process. “Radiant’s clarity and blendability are really helpful,” she says. “Sometimes I find a color I love so much, it influences the entire design.”

Her journey into tattooing began during the COVID pandemic, when she paused her work teaching art. “That gave me time to reflect on what I really wanted,” she says. “I had always wanted to create my own art, and tattooing felt especially powerful because people carry it with them for life.”

One of her recent favorite pieces is a mermaid tattoo created for a client in Sydney, blending symbols of Indian and New Zealand heritage including jade jewelry, peacock feathers, Indian clothing, and native ferns. “I feel the most joy when I can reflect a client’s personal story in a tattoo,” Nonlee says.

As of recently, Nonlee has joined the renowned Hongdam Studio in Seoul. With growing interest from American clients, she and the studio are now working toward expanding her presence in the U.S. “I’ve admired Hongdam since before I started tattooing,” she says. “Although our styles are different, I find inspiration in artists who are unlike me.”

Nonlee also uses her social media platform to connect with followers and collaborate across creative disciplines. “I’m often too busy to respond to every comment, but I always gain energy from them,” she says. Her network includes recent creative partnerships with artists like @elbetoval and @danielaramirezb_art.

As she continues her work in Korea and explores possible new opportunities abroad, Nonlee is excited to connect with an even wider community. “If you want a tattoo that tells your story or a custom piece designed just for you, I would love to work together. I’m always open to new ideas and constantly seeking new experiences.”