North Korea: The art of Song Byeok
Kim Jong Il striking Marilyn Monroe’s classic pose. The comical work was unveiled in Seoul earlier this year as part of ‘Forever Freedom,’ the debut exhibition by the North Korean artist Song Byeok.
SEOUL—At first glance, it looks like a painting of the actress Marilyn Monroe, striking her iconic pose above a subway grate.
Above the ballooning dress, however, sits the face of North Korea’s “Dear Leader” Kim Jong Il, wearing his trademark dark sunglasses and grinning wildly. A group of gold fish swim about the figure’s feet.
The comical work was unveiled in Seoul earlier this year as part of “Forever Freedom,” the debut exhibition by the North Korean artist Song Byeok, who defected to the South in 2002.
Before defecting, Song cut his artistic teeth painting propaganda for Kim’s regime, turning out grinning portraits of founding father Kim Il Sung and technicolor depictions of militant workers and peasants.
Since arriving in South Korea, however, he has turned his talents against the repressive regime and its diminutive leader.
The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?