Pastel Dreams: The Soft World of Yu’s Tattoos

In the world of tattooing, Yu is like a gentle breeze on a warm day. Her works, filled with pink and blue pastel tones, evoke childhood dreams, soft clouds, and quiet moments you want to hold onto forever. Based in Seoul, Yu blends an artist’s keen eye with a delicate emotional sensitivity, turning each tattoo into a personal story — light, tender, and almost weightless. We spoke with Yu about her artistic journey, sources of inspiration, signature style, and the dreams that fuel her creative world.

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— Yu, tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from, and where are you currently working?

— Hi, my name is Yu. I’m based in Seoul, South Korea, but I love traveling and often spend time in different cities doing guest work. I started tattooing in 2017, and since then, I’ve been working as a tattoo artist while gaining experience through meeting people and exploring new places.

— Tell us how you got into tattooing. What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?

— I first got a tattoo by chance. Over time, I started getting more, and I really liked the process of watching the wounds heal and the artwork become a part of my body. Even though it can be a bit inconvenient, there was something meaningful about that transformation.

Tattoos became a way of expressing myself, making something personal a visible part of my life. That experience made me think: if I learn to do something that feels this meaningful, maybe the process of working itself will feel different. I wanted a path connected to my life — and that’s how I naturally got into tattooing.

— You have a very unique style. What do you call it yourself? What features of your portfolio would you highlight?

— I want my work to feel like soft cotton candy. I’ve always loved soft textures, and even when drawing on paper or canvas, I use oil pastels because they blend so smoothly. The more time and care you give them, the softer they become. When I tattoo, I focus on expressing that same softness. I use pastel-based colors, especially tones with a hint of white, to create a calm, gentle, sometimes “fluffy” feeling. People often say my tattoos look delicious — and I take that as a compliment.

— Could you tell us how you got into visual art? Do you have a formal art education? Or how did drawing and tattooing become part of your life?

— I didn’t have a formal art education. As a kid, I wasn’t especially into art, just like most children. But as an adult, I developed a strong interest in aesthetics and making things by hand.

I started decorating handmade candles with dried flowers and giving them as gifts. I got into leathercraft, painting small items. That growing interest in handmade things led me to tattooing — and it became a very important part of my life.

— What influenced your style? Are you a fan of animation? What inspires you as an artist?

— I love watching how light seeps through the streets when I walk — how leaves change color with the seasons, how light transforms a surface. I try to find softness within a single color by exploring all its layers and hidden tones.

My technique evolved gradually. I used to tattoo with black ink and thicker lines, but now I work exclusively with colors I love. My designs fully reflect my personal taste. I also find inspiration in museums when I travel, and from the atmosphere of different cities. Animation, cute illustrations, posters, and unique objects also inspire me. And meeting other tattoo artists while guesting has been incredibly enriching.

— What influenced the development of your style? You mentioned starting with black ink and bold lines, but now your style is a completely different direction. How did it evolve?

— At first, I loved the charm of bold, clean lines — my style was somewhere between old-school and illustrative. Even then, I often used pastel colors, but combining them with black lines limited the softness I was aiming for.

Eventually, I started using only the colors I loved most. To avoid my designs looking too light, I use my favorite color — blue — to add depth and balance. That’s how my current style was born.

— Who are your clients? Why do they choose you as their tattoo artist?

— Sometimes when someone walks into the studio, I just feel like they’re my client. And often, it turns out to be true. They usually share similar tastes with me — they enjoy bright colors and soft aesthetics. My clients often bring a lovely, calm vibe that makes me feel comfortable.

— How do you approach creating unique designs for clients? How do you help people decide on a tattoo?

— When working on a custom piece, like a pet tattoo, I don’t just ask for a photo of the animal. I also like to know about their favorite toy, clothing, snack, or accessory. I ask for those photos too, so I can include personal elements in the design and make it more meaningful.

If the image that comes to mind feels too simple, I’ll ask for more stories or references from the client.

— Can you show and tell us about one or two of your favorite tattoos and the story behind them?

— It’s hard to choose just one or two because I genuinely love all my work. But I’d like to talk about a guest spot close to my heart — Paris.

Many of my clients in Paris return year after year and have become more like friends. Those ongoing relationships are a huge motivation. They remind me that tattooing is not just about the artwork but also about trust and connection.

— Do you have a favorite type of project or a specific kind of work that you particularly enjoy?

— I love all kinds of projects, but I get especially excited when working on tiger designs. I even watch videos of tigers just because I like them! Baby tigers are cute, adults are powerful — they have a unique charm. Most of the tigers I’ve done are small, but I hope to work on a large-scale one someday.

Another theme I love is fūrin — Japanese wind chimes. When I visited Japan, I was moved by their clear, delicate sound. I’ve made several flash and tattoo designs based on them. That sound stays with me, and I enjoy turning that gentle feeling into art.

— What are your professional goals for the coming years?

— Recently, I’ve been working on personal art, and one of my goals is to hold a solo exhibition. I want to share my artistic world more deeply — beyond tattooing. Also, I’d like to live abroad for a few years, not just travel. I want to truly experience daily life in another country, which I believe will have a meaningful impact on my work.

— How do you feel about participating in conventions? Do you have any awards?

— I’ve always been interested in conventions, and whenever I get an email about one, I think, “Maybe I should try this time.” But I tend to prefer quiet, cozy workspaces, so I haven’t attended one yet. Still, the idea of meeting many artists and being exposed to various styles is exciting. I hope I’ll join someday — both to share and to learn.

— How’s your booking situation? Is it hard to get an appointment with you right now?

— To be honest, bookings in Seoul have slowed a bit, but I’m using this time to focus on personal artwork and planning new projects.

Most of my clients in Korea are actually foreigners, which led me to travel a lot and do guest spots abroad. That has become a big part of my process. Meeting people from different cultures brings inspiration and personal growth.

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Yu doesn’t just create tattoos — she crafts visual touches of warmth and light. Her pastel world is a place you want to linger in, breathe a little deeper, and find beauty in the softest details. If this kind of aesthetic speaks to you, don’t miss her Instagram. For inspiration, atmosphere, and new works followed by over 89.3K people around the world.