July 06, 2025Jul 06, 2025
KCNA Naenara (En)

Girl Prodigy Grown into Famous Artist

Date: 09/08/2020 | Source: Naenara (En) | Read original version at source

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)

Pegae Peak Volcano

Pegae Peak Volcano

The Pegae Peak volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The volcano, located

July 06, 2025

The Pegae Peak volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The volcano, located

Meeting of Officials and Members of Women's Union Held in DPRK

Meeting of Officials and Members of Women's Union Held in DPRK

Officials and members of the Socialist Women's Union of Korea met at the Hall of Women on July 4 to hear the stories about noble

July 06, 2025

Officials and members of the Socialist Women's Union of Korea met at the Hall of Women on July 4 to hear the stories about noble

August Name Shining All over World

August Name Shining All over World

Many countries in the world have streets, institutions, organizations and others named after President Kim Il Sung (April 15,

July 06, 2025

Many countries in the world have streets, institutions, organizations and others named after President Kim Il Sung (April 15,

Plenary Meeting of DPRK SPA Standing Committee Held

Plenary Meeting of DPRK SPA Standing Committee Held

The 36th Plenary Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of

July 05, 2025

The 36th Plenary Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of

By Building Up Technical Forces

By Building Up Technical Forces

The IT Institute of the High-tech Research and Development Centre under Kim Il Sung University, one of the top ten IT enterprises

July 05, 2025

The IT Institute of the High-tech Research and Development Centre under Kim Il Sung University, one of the top ten IT enterprises

Country for Workers

Country for Workers

One July day in 1975, Chairman Kim Jong Il gave field guidance at the then Komdok Mine. After wrapping up his schedule, he came to

July 05, 2025

One July day in 1975, Chairman Kim Jong Il gave field guidance at the then Komdok Mine. After wrapping up his schedule, he came to

Affection for People

Affection for People

One July day in 2018 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un paid another visit to the Songmak Atlantic Salmon Pedigree Farm. After

July 05, 2025

One July day in 2018 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un paid another visit to the Songmak Atlantic Salmon Pedigree Farm. After

Meeting Held to Hear Stories about President Kim Il Sung’s Virtues

Meeting Held to Hear Stories about President Kim Il Sung’s Virtues

Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea met at the Central Hall of Workers on July 3 to hear storie

July 05, 2025

Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea met at the Central Hall of Workers on July 3 to hear storie

Myongsasimni on East Coast Crowded with People

Myongsasimni on East Coast Crowded with People

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in the DPRK is overflowing with the great joy and optimism of the people enjoying to the

July 04, 2025

The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in the DPRK is overflowing with the great joy and optimism of the people enjoying to the

Mudu Peak Scoria Cone

Mudu Peak Scoria Cone

The Mudu Peak scoria cone is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The parasitic

July 04, 2025

The Mudu Peak scoria cone is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The parasitic

Press Statement of Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry

Press Statement of Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry

A spokesperson for the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued the following press statement titled “QUAD should stop unilateral coercive

July 04, 2025

A spokesperson for the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued the following press statement titled “QUAD should stop unilateral coercive

National Intangible Cultural Heritage Item—Janggo-making Technique

National Intangible Cultural Heritage Item—Janggo-making Technique

Among Korea’s cultural heritage items is the technique of making janggo (hourglass-shaped drum).Janggo is a traditional percussion

July 04, 2025

Among Korea’s cultural heritage items is the technique of making janggo (hourglass-shaped drum).Janggo is a traditional percussion

Geo-section in Kat Peak

Geo-section in Kat Peak

The geo-section of Kat Peak is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The peak is

July 03, 2025

The geo-section of Kat Peak is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The peak is

Joy of Harvesting

Joy of Harvesting

The harvest of wheat and barley is underway in the rural areas across the DPRK. Around June the harvest of the early crops starts

July 03, 2025

The harvest of wheat and barley is underway in the rural areas across the DPRK. Around June the harvest of the early crops starts

Chollima Ushers in Era of Miracles

Chollima Ushers in Era of Miracles

The Chollima era is proudly etched in the course of development of the DPRK replete with creations and transformations. In the

July 03, 2025

The Chollima era is proudly etched in the course of development of the DPRK replete with creations and transformations. In the

Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area Starts Service

Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area Starts Service

A spectacular sight of laughter and optimism has been presented at the 4km-long sandy beach of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist

July 03, 2025

A spectacular sight of laughter and optimism has been presented at the 4km-long sandy beach of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist

Classic Tangunsegi

Classic Tangunsegi

Korea’s classic Tangunsegi is known to have been compiled by Ri Am in 1363. The book deals with typical events, facts, language,

July 03, 2025

Korea’s classic Tangunsegi is known to have been compiled by Ri Am in 1363. The book deals with typical events, facts, language,

Delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University Leaves for Russia

Delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University Leaves for Russia

A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the

July 02, 2025

A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the

Mt Kanbaek Volcano

Mt Kanbaek Volcano

Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an

July 02, 2025

Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an

More Articles