North Korea's secret canvas ,,Chobimil u qi" (2025) Peinture par Sam Ted

Chobimil u qi
Correct pronunciation:
"jeoldae bimil yuji" (절대 비밀 유지)
A Korean phrase meaning:

절대 (jeoldae): absolute
비밀 (bimil): secret
유지 (yuji): preservation, maintenance

About the Artwork:
The piece portrays Kim Jong-un as a young child, indistinguishable from others. It can be interpreted as a potential danger, as it humanizes North Korea’s supreme leader, depicting him as an ordinary child playing alone—symbolizing his solitary control as an absolute ruler.

The "Ludo" (Mensch ärgere dich nicht) Figures:
Red Figure:
Represents the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) & Communism
Symbolizes the ruling party, which controls the country
Red = Communism, socialism, and revolution
The three red figures already at the goal represent Kim’s leadership milestones (2012, 2016, 2021). The last red piece, although not at the finish yet, is inevitably heading there—symbolizing inevitable succession in North Korea’s system.

Black Figure:
Represents the Korean People's Army (KPA), which enforces control
Black = Secrecy, fear, repression (symbolizing the Ministry of State Security)
Represents hidden power—not visibly dominant but crucial for the regime’s survival
The left side (traditionally associated with the subconscious, secrecy, and emotions in Western art) reinforces the covert nature of military control.

White Figure:
In Korean culture, white represents purity & national identity
Used in propaganda to portray North Korea as a "pure and superior" nation.

Blue Figure:
Blue = Diplomacy & peace
In the North Korean flag, blue symbolizes the desire for sovereignty and peace
North Korea occasionally uses blue in its foreign relations, despite often being seen as aggressive.

Dennis Rodman Poster (Background)
Kim Jong-un has a close relationship with Dennis Rodman, the former NBA star who frequently visited North Korea. The right side of the painting represents Kim’s connection with the U.S., while the left (hidden) half symbolizes the unspoken aspects of this relationship.

Table & Champagne:
Table:
Though appearing ordinary, it represents the coffin of Kim Jong-il (Kim’s father)
The coffin serves as a platform for Kim Jong-un to "play" his ideological game, continuing the regime’s control
A provocative artistic statement.
Champagne (Dom Pérignon 2011):
Kim is a known fan of Dom Pérignon and reportedly spends hundreds of thousands on luxury alcohol
The year 2011 (on the bottle) marks Kim Jong-il’s death, suggesting that the father’s death led to the son’s rise and celebration.

The Three Censored Children's Books (Background):

"The Little Prince" (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
Censored for promoting independent thinking & questioning authority
Represents the meaninglessness of power—a threat to totalitarian regimes.

"Animal Farm" (George Orwell)
Direct allegory of totalitarian regimes & political oppression
Represents how revolutions can turn into new dictatorships—a reflection of North Korea.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (J.K. Rowling)
Censored for themes of rebellion against authoritarian rule (Dolores Umbridge as an oppressive figure)
Represents resistance, propaganda, and surveillance—dangerous ideas for North Korea.
These books are banned or heavily censored because they encourage critical thinking, resistance, and questioning of authority—which the North Korean government seeks to prevent.

Picasso's "Child with a Dove" (Background Painting)
Originally painted in 1901 by Pablo Picasso
Symbolizes peace, innocence, and hope
However, in this context, the frame is covered in thorns—symbolizing captivity.
Despite North Korea’s efforts to project an image of peace, the country remains a golden cage.
The child in this version looks exhausted and anxious, staring at Kim—suggesting oppression rather than innocence.

The Clock on the Table
Has only 9 numbers, each representing a nuclear-armed nation—North Korea being the 9th
In the center is a black Baccara rose—symbolizing secrecy, power, death, and obsession
No minute or second hands, as no one knows when these weapons might be used.

Thèmes connexes

Basketball