YAL Studio takes its name from "gwi-yeol," a bold 16th-century Korean ceramic decoration technique. Artisans used rough brushes made from pig bristles or horsehair to rapidly apply white slip onto buncheong ware - transitional pottery that bridged the gap between Goryeo celadon and white porcelain. While Chae Soo-hoon creates delicate moon jars (dal hang-ari) using traditional white porcelain methods, his studio name reflects something deeper: the freedom and spontaneity of those ancient, unrefined brushstrokes. It’s a perfect metaphor for his work - classical forms meeting fearless, contemporary color.

While arranging his pieces for our photoshoot, we handled each moon jar with extreme caution. Chae, however, just smiled and told us to relax. "Ceramics don’t break as easily as you think. You’d have to hit them hard with a hammer to actually break one." He doesn’t want his work to feel precious, untouchable, or intimidating. At first, we wondered how he ever thought to apply bold colors and textures to pristine white moon jars. But after talking with him, it became clear: his flowing yet fearless personality is embedded in every piece. This is the spirit of YAL - free, accessible, and unafraid.

When asked whether making only moon jars ever feels repetitive, Chae’s answer reveals an artist’s way of seeing. Each piece is shaped by subtle daily changes in temperature and humidity, meaning no two works are ever truly the same. His coloring process is inherently unpredictable, what may appear similar to others feels entirely distinct to him. Clay, kiln, and pigment engage in a different kind of conversation each time, and it is this element of surprise - this ongoing dialogue with materials - that keeps the work endlessly engaging.

Chae also studied painting, and this background quietly informs his approach to color and surface. Some of his moon jars feel as though watercolor has been gently released across their skin, a quality rarely found in traditional moon jars. As the wheel turns, soft bands and flowing forms emerge, evoking clouds spreading across the sky or planets settling into their natural orbits. He occasionally introduces distinctive textures, adding a tactile depth that invites closer attention. Each completed piece is delivered in a wooden box custom-made by YAL Studio, a pairing in which ceramic and wood meet in quiet, natural harmony.

Chae Soo-hoon isn’t confined to the pottery wheel. He’s built a global presence through Etsy, his own online store, Instagram, and YouTube, making Korean ceramic heritage accessible worldwide. His colored moon jars stand out in a sea of traditional white vessels, offering collectors something both rooted in centuries of craftsmanship and refreshingly contemporary. For those drawn to the intersection of ancient technique and modern artistic freedom, YAL Studio is worth following.