Studio Hon opens in comfortable, safe downtown environment

Article content

Businesses and non-profit organizations regularly open and move in Saskatoon. Today the StarPhoenix talks to Doil Kim, who opened Studio Hon in downtown Saskatoon in early January.

Article content

Article content

Studio Hon creates tattoos with special meaning that tell a story. Studio Hon originally opened in South Korea over 24 years ago and expanded Toronto 10 years ago, under the name Hon Tattoo Studio. The Saskatoon location is the first in Canada outside Toronto. Translation assistance for this story was provided by Saskatoon Studio Hon manager Nonah McConney.

Q: What made you decide to open in Saskatoon?

A: I first visited Saskatoon as a guest artist and met many local clients — especially women — who told me they had traveled to other cities for their tattoos. When I asked why, they said, ‘There just aren’t any studios here that offer delicate tattoos.’ I decided to open Studio Hon to solve that problem. I wanted to create a space where people could experience tattooing not under pressure or compromise, but through real connection with their artist — a space where they could receive the tattoo they truly want.

Article content

Q: After opening in South Korea in 2001, what made you decide to expand to Canada in 2015?

A: There’s one simple reason — I wanted to tattoo freely. In South Korea, tattooing is still technically illegal. Canada offered the freedom and creative environment I needed to fully dedicate myself to the art I love. At the same time I hope that artists like myself, with more experience, can help grow and legitimize tattoo culture in Korea. I dream of a day when young Korean tattoo artists can work freely and proudly in their own country without fear or limitation.

Q: What is your background in tattoos?

A: Studio Hon in Saskatoon is the fourth location in the Hon Tattoo family. Shark, the founder of Hon Tattoo, has over 20 years of experience. I have been tattooing for 10 years myself. I was previously a design teacher at an arts high school in Korea, but left to pursue tattooing as my true form of artistic expression.

Article content

Article content

Q: Where in Canada is Studio Hon currently located?

A: Hon Tattoo has three locations in Toronto, and Studio Hon in Saskatoon is our fourth. We plan to expand to more cities in the near future.

Q: How much experience do your Saskatoon tattoo artists have?

A: We currently have four artists at Studio Hon. Their experience ranges from two to over 10 years. Each one specializes in styles such as fine line, floral, anime/manga, cover-ups and blackwork.

Q: What types of tattoos and services do you offer?

A: We offer custom tattoos in fine line, floral, blackwork and anime/manga styles. Every design is personally tailored and created with meaning. We offer free one-on-one in-depth consultations with our artists, where we will fully design and sometimes even stencil the tattoo onto your body to see how it naturally flows. We also offer complimentary drinks and snacks. We value clean execution and designs that tell a personal story. We’re also always looking to welcome more artists with diverse specialties.

Article content

Q: Do you design the tattoos as well?

A: Yes, all our tattoos are custom designed. We begin by listening to the client’s ideas through email, DM’s on social media platforms, by phone or even in-person consultations. Then we review reference images and suggest a layout that suits the client’s body.

Q: What sets you apart from other tattoo shops?

A: Studio Hon deeply respects women’s tattoo culture and works hard to meet their needs. Our focus is on creating tattoos that go beyond decoration — each piece represents a memory, an identity, a goal, or even a healing process. Our artists work closely with each client to bring their story to life.

Q: Do you offer other services beyond tattoos?

A: While our main focus is tattooing, we’re also building connections with the local community. In April, we’ll host our first local art exhibition featuring young artists in Saskatoon and we plan to launch events such as one-day yoga sessions in the future. The art exhibition takes place at our studio on April 27 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Article content

Q: What is the atmosphere like in your studio?

A: Our studio is bright and clean, with white walls and warm wood tones designed to create a calm and hygienic environment. It’s a space where clients can feel safe and at ease.

Q: What kind of experience can people expect when they come to see you?

A: We understand that many clients feel nervous when visiting a tattoo studio. That’s why we prioritize comfort by offering coffee, water, or soft drinks, and we put great emphasis on conversation. At Studio Hon, our artists do not put headphones on and tune you out for your entire session — we value client interaction.

Q: Is there an average time to complete a tattoo?

A: It depends on the design, but typically small to medium tattoos take one to three hours. Larger or more complex pieces may require multiple sessions.

Q: How did you decide on the name Studio Hon?

Article content

A: ‘Hon’ means ‘soul’ in Korean. For us, tattooing is about more than just art — it’s about identity and essence. Our name reflects our commitment to creating each tattoo as a soulful, passionate work of art.

Q: What do you love most about running your tattoo studio?

A: The moment clients look in the mirror after a session is what I love most. Seeing their joy, their sense of accomplishment, and sometimes even their tears — those emotional moments are why I do what I do.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Studio Hon

Owners: Doil Kim & Janghyuk (Shark) Seo
Address:  227 – 2nd Avenue South
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Closed Sundays.
Phone: 306-653-5561
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.studiohon.com
Check: Facebook, Instagram

Article content

Have you recently started or moved a new business or non-profit organization in Saskatoon? We want to hear your story. Please email [email protected]

The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.

With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark thestarphoenix.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.

Article content