Lee Ungno in his 40s (circa 1945)

Meanwhile, in 1945, Ungno established ‘Dan-gu Art Academy’ with artists Jang-woo, Bae-ryum and Kim Young-ki, who returned to Seoul from Japan at that time, pursuing traditional Korean painting whereas breaking away from Japanese influences. He also opened ‘Goam Art Studio’ in Namsan, Seoul, and taught young students there. Between 1948 and 1950, he was a professor at the fine art department of Hong-ik University