Yerae, born in Jeju, South Korea, in 1989, had a traditional upbringing in which her parents insisted she obtain a stable career that did not include being an artist. Her grandfather, who engaged in art, recognized Yerae’s talent and provided her with drawing supplies and encouragement to pursue her artistic ambitions.

Yerae became a tattooer in 2020 after trying various human resources and license management jobs. Beginning with only black ink, she progressively added color to her floral compositions. These flowers conceal all types of skin and scars, as she explains: “Among my clients have been brave individuals who battled breast cancer and sought to cover their operation scars, others with marked skin on extensive areas like their legs, and individuals who had survived suicidal attempts and bore marks on their wrists.” The artwork gives her clients a sense of freedom and less guilt, shame, or fear, and it contributes to their confidence in taking steps forward positively in life. 

Before producing a small tattoo or cover-up, Yerae provides each client with detailed information regarding the advantages and disadvantages. “It’s important to note that for a cover-up to appear more natural, it usually needs to be larger. In essence, the bigger the new tattoo, the less visible the old one becomes.” Despite the delicate nature of her compositions, she acknowledges that light colors such as pink and yellow may not be suitable for covering up tattoos. “Instead, I typically opt for darker colors [on the cover-up areas], complemented by lighter-colored flowers or elements.”

Yerae has done guest spots in Australia, France, and the United Kingdom. She enjoys participating in botanical art classes and visiting renowned gardens worldwide in her free time.

Photos © Yerae