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)
A photo exhibition “The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a magnificent world created on the east coast in the great era of Kim
November 06, 2025
A photo exhibition “The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a magnificent world created on the east coast in the great era of Kim
Officials of the Party, power and armed forces organs, ministries and national agencies of the DPRK visited the bier of Kim Yong
November 06, 2025
Officials of the Party, power and armed forces organs, ministries and national agencies of the DPRK visited the bier of Kim Yong
The National Exhibition of Sci-tech Achievements in the Field of Public Health-2025 has opened with due ceremony at the Central
November 06, 2025
The National Exhibition of Sci-tech Achievements in the Field of Public Health-2025 has opened with due ceremony at the Central
The Pyongyang General Hospital opened in the DPRK on November 3. The medical workers and employees of the hospital are determined
November 05, 2025
The Pyongyang General Hospital opened in the DPRK on November 3. The medical workers and employees of the hospital are determined
DPRK players proved successful at the 14th Asian Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships held in India from October 31 to November 2.
November 05, 2025
DPRK players proved successful at the 14th Asian Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships held in India from October 31 to November 2.
New villages with unique architectural beauty have been built at the Nongpho Vegetable Farm in Chongjin City, North Hamgyong
November 05, 2025
New villages with unique architectural beauty have been built at the Nongpho Vegetable Farm in Chongjin City, North Hamgyong
The exhibition of intangible cultural heritage items-2025 closed with due ceremony at the Moranbong Youth Park on November 2.
November 04, 2025
The exhibition of intangible cultural heritage items-2025 closed with due ceremony at the Moranbong Youth Park on November 2.
The regional-industry factories, which have been built as the first entities of the implementation of the regional development
November 04, 2025
The regional-industry factories, which have been built as the first entities of the implementation of the regional development
Efforts are directed to developing physical acrobatics in the DPRK. In recent years, Korean physical stunts have won a variety of
November 04, 2025
Efforts are directed to developing physical acrobatics in the DPRK. In recent years, Korean physical stunts have won a variety of
The quarterfinals between the DPRK team and the Japanese team for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup took place on November 1 (l
November 04, 2025
The quarterfinals between the DPRK team and the Japanese team for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup took place on November 1 (l
DPRK players have won gold medals at four events of the 2025 Asian Cup Rowing Games held in China. Ri Yun Gyong and Ri So Yon took
November 04, 2025
DPRK players have won gold medals at four events of the 2025 Asian Cup Rowing Games held in China. Ri Yun Gyong and Ri So Yon took
New houses have been built at the Township, Jiksol and Jigyong livestock farms in Kim Hyong Gwon County, Ryanggang Province of the
November 04, 2025
New houses have been built at the Township, Jiksol and Jigyong livestock farms in Kim Hyong Gwon County, Ryanggang Province of the
New houses have been built in Taeung-ri, Rajuk-ri and Muchang-ri of Kim Hyong Jik County in Ryanggang Province, the DPRK. The
November 03, 2025
New houses have been built in Taeung-ri, Rajuk-ri and Muchang-ri of Kim Hyong Jik County in Ryanggang Province, the DPRK. The
In recent years the DPRK has been successful in its irrigation efforts. Amid a nationwide irrigation drive, the project for
November 03, 2025
In recent years the DPRK has been successful in its irrigation efforts. Amid a nationwide irrigation drive, the project for
Great efforts are being made to improve the quality of education at universities and colleges in the teacher training field. This
November 03, 2025
Great efforts are being made to improve the quality of education at universities and colleges in the teacher training field. This
Mt Kumgang, 1 639 metres above sea level, is among the DPRK’s celebrated mountains. A compound of natural beauties of all descript
November 03, 2025
Mt Kumgang, 1 639 metres above sea level, is among the DPRK’s celebrated mountains. A compound of natural beauties of all descript
One day in October 2015, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the then Paekhak-dong in the Sonbong area in Rason
November 02, 2025
One day in October 2015, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the then Paekhak-dong in the Sonbong area in Rason
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea decided to convene the 13th Plenary Meeting of the
November 02, 2025
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea decided to convene the 13th Plenary Meeting of the
The Nano Engineering Branch of the State Academy of Sciences has newly introduced an advanced technique of producing metallurgical
November 02, 2025
The Nano Engineering Branch of the State Academy of Sciences has newly introduced an advanced technique of producing metallurgical
Talks between Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations who is chairman of the DPRK side to the DPRK-Russia
November 02, 2025
Talks between Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations who is chairman of the DPRK side to the DPRK-Russia
More Articles
