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“Kim Jong Il Looking At Things” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

This meme uses official photos of Kim Jong-il examining everyday objects with exaggerated intensity.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Kim Jong Il Looking At Things meme
The “Kim Jong Il Looking At Things” meme, 2010

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Kim Jong Il Looking At Things” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21049 of the collection, and the 3rd best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Kim Jong Il Looking At Things” meme mean?

The humor stems from the juxtaposition of a supreme leader's grave expression against random, ordinary items like toys or food. It conveys a sense of ironic awe or deep analysis applied to something worthless. Users employ it to parody overly serious reactions to silly situations or to highlight hidden beauty in boring details.

Where does the “Kim Jong Il Looking At Things” meme come from?

Portuguese art director João Rocha launched the meme on Tumblr in October 2010. He sourced the images from official North Korean state media (KCNA), which document Kim's 'On-the-Spot Guidance' inspections. The concept gained traction rapidly after Rocha compiled these specific photos showing intense focus on trivialities. It spread quickly to Reddit and other social platforms, becoming a staple of political satire and absurd internet humor.

How to use the “Kim Jong Il Looking At Things” meme

  • Post a picture of a messy desk alongside the image to imply you are conducting a high-level strategic review of chaos.
  • Use the caption to react to a minor inconvenience, treating it as a critical issue requiring immediate imperial attention.
  • Share an image of a simple snack with this meme to jokingly elevate its status to that of a national treasure.

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The “Kim Jong Il Looking At Things” card in MyMemeCards

Kim Jong Il Looking At Things card
NumberNo. 21049
RarityRare
CollectionMemes World series 71
Fame74/100 · #3 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 71: 300 cards
  • Rare300100%

How to get the “Kim Jong Il Looking At Things” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Kim Jong Il Looking At Things comes out of the Memes World series 71 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

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Frequently asked questions

What does kim jong il looking at things mean?

It signifies ironic admiration or intense focus on trivial objects. The meme highlights the absurdity of treating mundane items with supreme seriousness.

Who created kim jong il looking at things meme?

The meme was created by Portuguese graphic designer João Rocha, who started a dedicated Tumblr blog for it in late 2010.

Kim jong il looking at things origin?

The photos come from North Korean state news agency KCNA, depicting Kim's official inspection tours of factories and farms.

How do I get the Kim Jong Il Looking At Things meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Kim Jong Il Looking At Things” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Kim Jong Il Looking At Things card?

It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: Kim Jong Il Looking At Things: Meme Origin & History · Kim Jong-il Looking at Things – Wikipedia · Kim Jong Il Looking at Things | TIME · checked on October 12, 2026.

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