Mansudae Art Studio, a renowned hub of fine art creation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, boasts a large contingent of excellent artists, and among them is O Un Byol from the Korean Painting Production Company who shows a remarkable ability in figure painting.
Her father, O Kwang Ho, was also a painter. As if she possessed her father’s aptitudes for painting, O was especially fond of crayons or brushes before any other playthings. So people said she was an art prodigy.
When she was two, her nursery teachers took her to the Pyongyang University of Fine Arts near her house at Jangchung-dong, Songyo District.
Little girls’ talent caught the attention of Choe Song Ryong, lecturer of high repute. Though he was a stern teacher, Choe often marveled at her brightness to perceive more than what she was taught.
In the first year of her learning, O drew nearly 400 pieces of still life. At the age of five she became well known to professional painters.
Her participation in the 12th world festival of youth and students in 1985 was her first international debut. Afterwards she won special prizes and gold medals at several international fine art exhibitions and prize contests of children’s drawings and even held her private fine art shows in several countries, which earned her international fame.
She studied the Korean painting at the Pyongyang University of Fine Arts and finished the postgraduate course. During her university days she won the first prizes in two exhibitions held to mark the founding anniversary of the university and the national fine art exhibition for new painters held in 2002 respectively. She also won a prize at the national fine art exhibition in 2003.
After her graduation she was posted to the Mansudae Art Studio as she wished, and in 2008, one year later, she produced a Korean painting that won the first prize at the national fine art exhibition.
Several of her Korean paintings won diplomas and medals at the national and other fine art exhibitions and were registered as the state’s collection.
To retain the honour is far more difficult to win it—it’s her frank feeling.
She spends her leisure time either reading or listening to music.
She is an enthusiastic helper of her younger sister, Ok Byol, and other young artists in their creative activities.
Though she is now 40 and a middle-aged woman, O Un Byol still keeps the traces of her appearance in the 1980s when she was widely known as a little art prodigy.
More From Naenara (En)
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a reply message to Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of
March 12, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a reply message to Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of
The sub-constituency committees for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK made public voter
March 12, 2026
The sub-constituency committees for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK made public voter
A meeting of young people took place at the Pyongyang Municipal Youth Park Open-air Theatre on March 10. The participants vowed to
March 12, 2026
A meeting of young people took place at the Pyongyang Municipal Youth Park Open-air Theatre on March 10. The participants vowed to
Preparations for the election of deputies to the Supreme People’s Assembly are being pushed forward in the DPRK. After the
March 12, 2026
Preparations for the election of deputies to the Supreme People’s Assembly are being pushed forward in the DPRK. After the
Meetings took place at the Sangwon Cement Complex, the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, the Pukchang Thermal Power Complex, the
March 12, 2026
Meetings took place at the Sangwon Cement Complex, the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, the Pukchang Thermal Power Complex, the
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is under way in Australia.Divided into three groups, twelve teams will play league matches, and win
March 11, 2026
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is under way in Australia.Divided into three groups, twelve teams will play league matches, and win
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, sent a reply message to Xi Jinping, general secretary of the
March 11, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, sent a reply message to Xi Jinping, general secretary of the
The Eleventh Congress of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League will be held in Pyongyang in late April 2026. The 16th plenary
March 11, 2026
The Eleventh Congress of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League will be held in Pyongyang in late April 2026. The 16th plenary
The 16th enlarged plenary meeting of the Tenth Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League took place on March 9.
March 11, 2026
The 16th enlarged plenary meeting of the Tenth Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League took place on March 9.
Kim Yo Jong, department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, issued the following press statement
March 11, 2026
Kim Yo Jong, department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, issued the following press statement
Among the national intangible cultural heritage items of the DPRK is folk song Broad Bellflower .The folk song depicts by means of
March 11, 2026
Among the national intangible cultural heritage items of the DPRK is folk song Broad Bellflower .The folk song depicts by means of
The DPRK is making strenuous efforts to protect its national heritage items. Efforts are devoted to preserving the historical
March 11, 2026
The DPRK is making strenuous efforts to protect its national heritage items. Efforts are devoted to preserving the historical
There is a three-storey pagoda at the Jongyang Temple in Mt Kumgang, a celebrated mountain of the DPRK.The pagoda built in the 9th
March 11, 2026
There is a three-storey pagoda at the Jongyang Temple in Mt Kumgang, a celebrated mountain of the DPRK.The pagoda built in the 9th
A dance party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on March 8, marking the 116th
March 10, 2026
A dance party of women’s union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on March 8, marking the 116th
The National Inter-provincial Riding Contest-2026 was held at the Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, to
March 10, 2026
The National Inter-provincial Riding Contest-2026 was held at the Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, to
An event took place at the Rungna People’s Sports Park on March 8 to mark the AFC Women’s Football Day.Present there were official
March 10, 2026
An event took place at the Rungna People’s Sports Park on March 8 to mark the AFC Women’s Football Day.Present there were official
Saeppyol Street in the Hwasong area of the capital city of Pyongyang is a monumental architectural group which was built to convey
March 10, 2026
Saeppyol Street in the Hwasong area of the capital city of Pyongyang is a monumental architectural group which was built to convey
A national meeting took place at the People’s Palace of Culture on March 8, marking the 116th anniversary of March 8 International
March 10, 2026
A national meeting took place at the People’s Palace of Culture on March 8, marking the 116th anniversary of March 8 International
In recent years the DPRK has built many monumental edifices such as Hwasong Street, Pothong Riverside Terraced Houses District,
March 10, 2026
In recent years the DPRK has built many monumental edifices such as Hwasong Street, Pothong Riverside Terraced Houses District,
Kumgang Peak is situated south of Chonbul Peak (659 m) of Mt Chilbo in Pochon-ri, Myongchon County, North Hamgyong Province.The ro
March 10, 2026
Kumgang Peak is situated south of Chonbul Peak (659 m) of Mt Chilbo in Pochon-ri, Myongchon County, North Hamgyong Province.The ro
More Articles
