Suryo: The Korean Tattoo Artist Redefining Fine Art on Skin
- Zigmārs Merkuss
- May 9
- 4 min read
Looking for a tattoo experience that blends mythical elegance with modern fine-line precision? Meet Suryo – one of South Korea’s most sought-after tattoo artists, known globally for her mesmerising smoky-style realism tattoos. And now, for a limited time only, she’s bringing her artistry to Princelet Tattoo London in Shoreditch from 14th to 19th May 2025.
If you love tattoos that look like ink painting, East Asian mythology, and delicately detailed designs, this is your sign to book.
Who is Suryo?
Suryo (Instagram: @suryo.tattoo) is an internationally recognised tattoo artist based in Busan, South Korea, and the owner of InkDive Studio. With over 72,000 Instagram followers and a client list that spans from Tokyo to New York, she is globally respected for her signature "smoky" tattoo technique, a style that emulates the soft gradient of East Asian ink wash paintings.
Her work blends traditional Korean and Japanese elements — such as dragons, foxes, haetae (a mythical Korean lion), koi fish, and cherry blossoms — with modern fine line and ornamental designs. Her tattoos often appear to float on the skin, capturing movement, emotion, and storytelling in every stroke.
Tattoo Style: The Smoky Elegance of Suryo
Suryo’s signature technique — often called “smoky tattoo” (연기타투 in Korean) — involves soft shading that mimics the effect of brush-painted ink or drifting smoke. She pairs this with fine line precision and sometimes subtle colour pops to create work that feels alive, timeless, and full of depth.
Her Most Common Themes:
East Asian Mythology: dragons, tigers, phoenixes, haetae
Nature Elements: smoke, flowers, cherry/plum blossoms, spider lilies
Symbolic Animals: foxes, deer, koi, cranes
Cultural & Artistic Motifs: Oriental brush style, norigae tassels, dancheong patterns
Pop Culture Crossovers: anime-inspired works like Tokyo Ghoul with artistic twist
Each tattoo is custom-designed, ensuring every piece is a one-off. Whether it's a minimalist forearm design or a full back piece, Suryo brings the same care, creativity, and elegance to every session.
From Busan to the World: Suryo's Global Journey
Suryo’s career began in Busan, where she still resides and works from her studio InkDive — a hub for fine-line and realism artists in Korea. She’s frequently booked out months in advance in both Busan and Seoul.
But her reach extends far beyond Korea. She’s completed guest spots in Tokyo, including a residency at Third Home Tattoo, and has worked in Osaka, Vancouver, New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Her guest spots in Japan are especially popular due to her stylistic crossover between Korean and Japanese traditions.
In 2025, Suryo launched her Europe tour, with stops in Amsterdam, Paris, and now — London.
Featured in International Media
Suryo has been featured in 365 Art + Business Magazine, a respected publication covering influential artists across fine art and tattoo culture. She’s also sponsored by Emalla, a global tattoo supply brand, affirming her status in the professional tattoo industry.
On TikTok, her videos have gained tens of thousands of likes — especially process videos showing her detailed work or T-log (travel log) reels of her time tattooing in Japan and Canada.
A Tattoo Experience Unlike Any Other
Clients describe Suryo’s work as “beyond expectations.” Her appointments are known for being professional, calm, and collaborative. She provides detailed aftercare guidance, and often posts healed tattoo updates after a year, showing how her work stands the test of time — a rare level of transparency that has earned trust across borders.
She also speaks Korean and English fluently, making communication smooth for international clients.
Suryo at Princelet Tattoo London – Limited Guest Spot
For the first time in London, Suryo will be guesting at the renowned Princelet Tattoo London in Spitalfields from 14th to 19th May 2025.
This is a rare opportunity to get tattooed by one of the most unique and respected artists in the East Asian fine-line and realism scene.
📍 Princelet Tattoo London65B Princelet Street, London E1 5LP(Located just off Brick Lane in East London, walking distance from Shoreditch High Street and Liverpool Street Station)
Expect a private studio experience, with:
One-on-one custom consultation
Comfortable, professional setup
Access to London’s vibrant art district and surrounding markets, cafés, and street art culture
Booking Info
Suryo tattoo is now accepting appointments directly via Instagram DM. Due to her limited time in London, availability is extremely limited.
📲 Contact: @suryo.tattoo
🗓️ Dates: 14th to 19th May 2025
📍 Location: Princelet Tattoo London, East London
