NonFromSeoul in Korean means “I’m from Seoul”, and the name itself already hints at the purpose of this space: to become a place where tattooing is the main act, the cultural engine of a Korean tattoo movement that Q — founder of the shop — is rightly proud of.
NonFromSeoul, Los Angeles: a bridge between Korea and the U.S.
Founded by Korean artist Q, NonFromSeoul is much more than a tattoo studio: it is a cultural hub that connects the Korean and American creative scenes through tattooing, art, and collaboration. After years of international experience and the challenges of working in Korea, where public tattoo shops are still not legal, Q decided to move to Los Angeles in 2022.
Together with Pittakkm and a team of artists who shared his energy and vision, he launched an ambitious project: a 4000 sq. ft. space at ROW DTLA, officially opened at the end of 2024, that houses both a large tattoo studio and a gallery with a pop-up area for events, exhibitions, and cross-disciplinary projects.
Some of the best contemporary Korean tattoo artists revolve around this studio, which aims to act as the driving force behind a true “Korean tattoo movement,” with tattooing as both protagonist and cultural language.
With its open, bright, and inclusive atmosphere, Q has shaped a place designed to inspire creativity and connection, while a rich programme of exhibitions and events cements the studio’s role as a new creative hub and meeting point between cultures in Los Angeles.
“We designed the space by focusing on two main things: the surrounding environment and the architecture of the building itself. We chose ROW DTLA because its vibe aligned perfectly with what we wanted — a blend of industrial character and organic warmth. Visually, we aimed for about an 80:20 ratio of industrial to nature.
But above all, our biggest goal was to create the ultimate workspace for tattoo artists. That’s why we invested in the best equipment possible. Each tattoo bed is a custom, extra-large memory foam electric bed, and we paired them with Herman Miller chairs — top-of-the-line in both comfort and support.
Fun fact: the chairs were actually donated by Yeono, one of our artists. How often do you hear of an artist gifting Herman Miller chairs to their own studio? Lighting was another major priority. We didn’t want clunky lamps or harsh light that strains the eyes.
So we built a custom ceiling lighting system using special panels that eliminate shadows. It’s probably the most expensive part of the studio — but it means our artists don’t even need to use task lights. The clarity and comfort it brings to our workspace is unmatched, and everyone on the team agrees it’s one of their favourite features.”
1. Q Tattoos – @q_tattoos
2. Pittakkm – @pittakkm
3. Kimshine Tattoos – @kimshine_tattoos
4. Dino Oriental – @dino_oriental
5. Yeono – @tattooist_yeono
6. Eunb – @eunb.tt
7. Dokhwa – @lookatthe_dokhwa
8. Swan – @swanissober
9. Ogi – @ogitattooer
10. Miso – @miso_ttt
11. Uncogrim – @uncogrim
12. Banul – @tattooist_banul
13. Greedorbs – @greedorbs
14. Hanzul – @hanzulink
15. Deven – @d.japngie
And the K-Wave invades the Los Angeles tattoo scene!
