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 is proactively working to cope with disastrous abnormal weather in its effort to protect state and public wealth and
March 24, 2026
The DPRK is proactively working to cope with disastrous abnormal weather in its effort to protect state and public wealth and
One day in May 1998, Chairman Kim Jong Il was on his field guidance trip in Changdo County of Kangwon Province before he suddenly
March 24, 2026
One day in May 1998, Chairman Kim Jong Il was on his field guidance trip in Changdo County of Kangwon Province before he suddenly
A pagoda called Saja (lion) is located at the Kumjang Hermitage in the Naegumgang-ri, Kumgang County, Kangwon Province. The
March 24, 2026
A pagoda called Saja (lion) is located at the Kumjang Hermitage in the Naegumgang-ri, Kumgang County, Kangwon Province. The
Some foreigners who have been to the DPRK advise their fellows: “If you want to visit Pyongyang, I recommend you should apply for
March 24, 2026
Some foreigners who have been to the DPRK advise their fellows: “If you want to visit Pyongyang, I recommend you should apply for
March 23 is World Meteorological Day. In January the World Meteorological Organization released a report that 2025 was recorded as
March 23, 2026
March 23 is World Meteorological Day. In January the World Meteorological Organization released a report that 2025 was recorded as
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
March 23, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK elected the Legislation Committee, the Budget Committee and
March 23, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK elected the Legislation Committee, the Budget Committee and
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea appointed the director of the
March 23, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea appointed the director of the
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea appointed the members of the
March 23, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea appointed the members of the
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea elected the State Affairs
March 23, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea elected the State Affairs
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea elected the Standing
March 23, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea elected the Standing
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK conducted the important and responsible work for electing
March 23, 2026
The First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK conducted the important and responsible work for electing
Deputy Ko Kil Son, secretary general of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, made an opening speech at the
March 23, 2026
Deputy Ko Kil Son, secretary general of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, made an opening speech at the
Jangyon County in South Hwanghae Province is well known for its successful cultivation of barley. It has become a flourishing
March 23, 2026
Jangyon County in South Hwanghae Province is well known for its successful cultivation of barley. It has become a flourishing
The Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in late December 2021 set forth a
March 23, 2026
The Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in late December 2021 set forth a
The rice-and-wormwood cake is one of the traditional Korean foods. Here is a story about it. Once upon a time a mother took out
March 23, 2026
The rice-and-wormwood cake is one of the traditional Korean foods. Here is a story about it. Once upon a time a mother took out
Yut (four-stick) game is one of the typical folk games that have been played by the Korean people since before the Koguryo period
March 23, 2026
Yut (four-stick) game is one of the typical folk games that have been played by the Korean people since before the Koguryo period
The sacred place where the heroic feats of the martyrs in the overseas military operations will go down in history is filled with
March 22, 2026
The sacred place where the heroic feats of the martyrs in the overseas military operations will go down in history is filled with
A groundbreaking ceremony for the fifth-stage construction project in the Hwasong area of the capital city of Pyongyang took place
March 22, 2026
A groundbreaking ceremony for the fifth-stage construction project in the Hwasong area of the capital city of Pyongyang took place
The Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory in Phyongchon District, Pyongyang, is the maker of the Unhasu -brand cosmetics with an
March 22, 2026
The Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory in Phyongchon District, Pyongyang, is the maker of the Unhasu -brand cosmetics with an
More Articles
