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)
The DPRK has greeted a new history of comprehensive prosperity, both in the capital city and provinces and in towns and
February 25, 2026
The DPRK has greeted a new history of comprehensive prosperity, both in the capital city and provinces and in towns and
The following happened when the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Pyongyang General Hospital in February 2025.
February 25, 2026
The following happened when the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Pyongyang General Hospital in February 2025.
Every year the IT industry of the DPRK selects the nation’s top-level computer programmers. Among those designated last year was
February 25, 2026
Every year the IT industry of the DPRK selects the nation’s top-level computer programmers. Among those designated last year was
The Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea continues discussion in a responsible manner. Members of the Presidium of the
February 25, 2026
The Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea continues discussion in a responsible manner. Members of the Presidium of the
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from Xi Jinping, general
February 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from Xi Jinping, general
Staff members of the Russian embassy in the DPRK laid a wreath before the Liberation Tower on February 23 to mark the Day of
February 25, 2026
Staff members of the Russian embassy in the DPRK laid a wreath before the Liberation Tower on February 23 to mark the Day of
Charge d’Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and Defence Attaché Alexei Bartusov of the Russian embassy in the DPRK gave a
February 25, 2026
Charge d’Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and Defence Attaché Alexei Bartusov of the Russian embassy in the DPRK gave a
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
February 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from Thongloun Sisoulith,
February 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from Thongloun Sisoulith,
Third, the theory of the comprehensive socialist development is characterized by the sustainability of the overall rejuvenation
February 25, 2026
Third, the theory of the comprehensive socialist development is characterized by the sustainability of the overall rejuvenation
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from To Lam, general secretary
February 25, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, received a congratulatory message from To Lam, general secretary
In the DPRK, there is a convoy carrying fishes across the country. The convoy transports fishes to the orphanages, baby homes,
February 24, 2026
In the DPRK, there is a convoy carrying fishes across the country. The convoy transports fishes to the orphanages, baby homes,
On January 7, 2025 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attended the inauguration ceremony of regional-industry factories in Jaeryong
February 24, 2026
On January 7, 2025 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attended the inauguration ceremony of regional-industry factories in Jaeryong
Samgwang-ri, Unjon County, North Phyongan Province, has turned into a model for modern rural community and livestock farming. The
February 24, 2026
Samgwang-ri, Unjon County, North Phyongan Province, has turned into a model for modern rural community and livestock farming. The
Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee: Kim Jong Un , Pak Thae Song, Jo Yong Won, Kim
February 24, 2026
Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee: Kim Jong Un , Pak Thae Song, Jo Yong Won, Kim
Features of Theory of Comprehensive Socialist Development When you read essays and editorials explaining the DPRK’s
February 24, 2026
Features of Theory of Comprehensive Socialist Development When you read essays and editorials explaining the DPRK’s
The DPRK encourages coastal cities and counties to bring their natural and geographical potentials and resources into effective
February 23, 2026
The DPRK encourages coastal cities and counties to bring their natural and geographical potentials and resources into effective
At the fourth-day sitting of the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea on February 22, Ri Il Hwan made a proposal
February 23, 2026
At the fourth-day sitting of the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea on February 22, Ri Il Hwan made a proposal
Members and alternate members of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea elected at the Ninth WPK Congress are as
February 23, 2026
Members and alternate members of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea elected at the Ninth WPK Congress are as
A decision of the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea “On the Revision of the Rules of the Workers’ Party of
February 23, 2026
A decision of the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea “On the Revision of the Rules of the Workers’ Party of
More Articles
