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)
An exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” took place at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House in the capital city of
November 13, 2025
An exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” took place at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House in the capital city of
There was a peculiar stand in the light industrial goods exhibition held in October. The stand was featured by a wide range of
November 13, 2025
There was a peculiar stand in the light industrial goods exhibition held in October. The stand was featured by a wide range of
The agricultural workers of the Tongnyon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, the DPRK, moved
November 13, 2025
The agricultural workers of the Tongnyon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, the DPRK, moved
Nampho Municipality has achieved positive results in the effort to disseminate Taekwon-Do. At the National Amateur Taekwon-Do
November 13, 2025
Nampho Municipality has achieved positive results in the effort to disseminate Taekwon-Do. At the National Amateur Taekwon-Do
Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and his party arrived in Pyongyang on November
November 13, 2025
Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and his party arrived in Pyongyang on November
This year farms in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, have adopted a soilless substrate-based rice seedling production method,
November 12, 2025
This year farms in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, have adopted a soilless substrate-based rice seedling production method,
Hwawon Senior Middle School No. 1 in Hwasong District, Pyongyang, runs a fine art group as part of its efforts to cultivate
November 12, 2025
Hwawon Senior Middle School No. 1 in Hwasong District, Pyongyang, runs a fine art group as part of its efforts to cultivate
The Yokkudo Farm in Paechon County, South Hwanghae Province, the DPRK, located in the Yonbaek Plain, a granary on the west coast,
November 12, 2025
The Yokkudo Farm in Paechon County, South Hwanghae Province, the DPRK, located in the Yonbaek Plain, a granary on the west coast,
The Kyongsong Pomiculture Research Branch of the Pomology Institute and the Orang Rice Research Branch of the Rice Institute of
November 12, 2025
The Kyongsong Pomiculture Research Branch of the Pomology Institute and the Orang Rice Research Branch of the Rice Institute of
The badminton group of the Moranbong District Extracurricular Sports School in Pyongyang has won most of the men’s events at the
November 12, 2025
The badminton group of the Moranbong District Extracurricular Sports School in Pyongyang has won most of the men’s events at the
The Chollima Tile Factory is increasing production. The factory has made steady efforts to hit this year’s production plan much
November 11, 2025
The Chollima Tile Factory is increasing production. The factory has made steady efforts to hit this year’s production plan much
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
November 11, 2025
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
Large greenhouse vegetable production bases are expecting bumper harvests. The Kangdong Combined Greenhouse Farm strives to raise
November 11, 2025
Large greenhouse vegetable production bases are expecting bumper harvests. The Kangdong Combined Greenhouse Farm strives to raise
DPRK women football players took first place in the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup held in Morocco and won their fourth World Cu
November 11, 2025
DPRK women football players took first place in the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup held in Morocco and won their fourth World Cu
Agricultural workers of the Kumsaem Farm in Kumgang County, Kangwon Province of the DPRK became blessed owners of modern rural
November 11, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Kumsaem Farm in Kumgang County, Kangwon Province of the DPRK became blessed owners of modern rural
The Silicate Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has newly developed acid-proof cement based on domestic raw
November 10, 2025
The Silicate Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has newly developed acid-proof cement based on domestic raw
One day in June 2013, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un stopped by the Changsong Restaurant of the Korean architectural style
November 10, 2025
One day in June 2013, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un stopped by the Changsong Restaurant of the Korean architectural style
The Kuryongphyong Dairy Cattle and Goat Farm in Hongui-dong, Sonbong District, Rason Municipality, the DPRK, has developed into
November 10, 2025
The Kuryongphyong Dairy Cattle and Goat Farm in Hongui-dong, Sonbong District, Rason Municipality, the DPRK, has developed into
Rural residential districts have been built at the Jungdok and Jungsang farms in Junggang County, Jagang Province, which are
November 09, 2025
Rural residential districts have been built at the Jungdok and Jungsang farms in Junggang County, Jagang Province, which are
The delegation of the Military-Political General Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation headed by Director
November 09, 2025
The delegation of the Military-Political General Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation headed by Director
More Articles
