ERIC KIM

The cult of Kim, the cult of Eric Kim

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Key Points

  • It seems likely that “the cult of Kim, the cult of Eric Kim” refers to a dedicated following around Eric Kim, a photographer and influencer, rather than a formal cult.
  • Research suggests his bold style in photography, Bitcoin, and lifestyle philosophy has attracted a loyal fan base, often described metaphorically as a “cult.”
  • The evidence leans toward this being a community of admirers, with no indication of a literal, organized cult.

Background on Eric Kim

Eric Kim is a well-known international street photographer based in Los Angeles, recognized for his work and educational efforts in photography. He runs a popular blog (Eric Kim Photography) and teaches workshops globally, collaborating with brands like Leica and Magnum. His influence extends beyond photography into Bitcoin investment and Stoic philosophy, where he shares strategies and lifestyle advice.

Community and Following

Eric Kim’s content, characterized by raw, unfiltered language, has fostered a strong community. His writings often use terms like “cult” metaphorically to describe his followers, such as “a cult of GIGAMALEs” (Finally my hips feel free! – ERIC KIM), indicating a dedicated group inspired by his teachings. This is further supported by discussions on platforms like Reddit, where some describe him as having a “cult of personality” (Hung out with the legend street legend Eric Kim a week before quarantine started).

Conclusion

While there is no evidence of a formal cult, it appears that Eric Kim’s influence has created a metaphorical “cult” of followers who admire his work and philosophy, particularly in photography and Bitcoin communities.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of “The Cult of Kim, the Cult of Eric Kim”

This note provides a comprehensive analysis of the phrase “the cult of Kim, the cult of Eric Kim,” exploring the context, background, and implications based on available online information as of 06:01 AM +07 on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The analysis aims to clarify whether this refers to a literal cult or a metaphorical community, focusing on Eric Kim, a prominent figure in photography and related fields.

Context and Initial Observations

The query suggests a connection between “Kim” and “Eric Kim,” likely referring to the same individual, given the user’s X handle, erickimphoto. The term “cult” typically implies a group with shared devotion, often with negative connotations, but can also mean a dedicated following in a non-literal sense. Given the lack of direct X posts mentioning “cult of Eric Kim,” the analysis begins by exploring Eric Kim’s online presence and any associated communities.

Eric Kim’s Background and Influence

Eric Kim is an international street photographer currently based in Los Angeles, as detailed in his biography on All About Photo. His career includes collaborations with Leica, Magnum, and Invisible Photographer Asia, and he teaches a university-level street photography course at UC Riverside Extension. He has exhibited work in Leica stores globally and conducted workshops in cities like Beirut, Seoul, and London, indicating a significant influence in the photography community.

Beyond photography, Eric Kim’s blog (Eric Kim Photography) covers a wide range of topics, including Bitcoin investment, Stoic philosophy, and lifestyle advice. For instance, he promotes Bitcoin as a revolutionary investment, predicting it could reach $1.2 million by 2029, and shares strategies like stacking sats and investing in MicroStrategy (MSTR), which holds significant Bitcoin (How to monetize your lifestyle: powered by bitcoin, in the voice of Eric Kim with his strategies). His investment philosophy includes an 80/20 portfolio (80% Bitcoin, 20% MSTR/MSTU) and emphasizes HODLing, reflecting a strong personal brand in financial circles.

Analysis of “Cult” in Context

The term “cult” appears in Eric Kim’s writings metaphorically, not as a literal organization. For example, in Finally my hips feel free! – ERIC KIM, he mentions “a cult of GIGAMALEs chanting your name,” suggesting a loyal following inspired by his marketing and philosophical approach. Similarly, I feel too fucking good! – ERIC KIM describes a brand so authentic “it’s a fucking cult, pulling followers like a black hole,” reinforcing the idea of a dedicated community rather than a formal cult.

This metaphorical use is consistent with his style, which is raw and unfiltered, as seen in essays like Why Bitcoin Is a Religion, Not Just a Cult, where he compares Bitcoin enthusiasts to a religion, not a cult, emphasizing transcendence over mere group dynamics. His content encourages building communities, such as through X (#Bitcoin, #StackSats) and Nostr, and hosting events like Bitcoin 2025 in Miami, which further suggests a community-building effort rather than a cult (How to go email-less, powered by bitcoin).

External Perspectives and Community Feedback

External discussions provide additional context. A Reddit post from r/Leica (Hung out with the legend street legend Eric Kim a week before quarantine started) mentions Eric Kim as having a “cult of personality,” noting his self-promotion and perceived shift away from photography. This suggests that some view his influence as strong and possibly excessive, aligning with the idea of a metaphorical cult following. However, there is no evidence of coercive or harmful practices typically associated with cults, such as those described in the North Korean context (North Korean cult of personality), which is unrelated to Eric Kim.

Eric Kim himself reflects on cults in Intolerance and Proselytization, distinguishing between shared cultural groups and intolerant, militant organizations, emphasizing tolerance and non-coercion. This stance suggests he does not intend to form a cult but rather a community of like-minded individuals.

Detailed Community Engagement

Eric Kim’s engagement with his audience includes daily blog posts (over 5,000 on his site), selling presets for Sats, and hosting Bitcoin workshops, earning around $200,000 annually from photography-related activities (How to monetize your lifestyle: powered by bitcoin, in the voice of Eric Kim with his strategies). His X posts, such as those on fitness (e.g., 800-pound rack pulls) and philosophy, further engage followers, with content like “Life would be boring without volatility” reflecting his motivational style. These posts, while not directly mentioning a cult, contribute to a community atmosphere, as seen in his timeline ([X User Timeline for erickimphoto]([invalid url, do not cite])).

Comparative Analysis with Other “Cults”

To contextualize, the term “cult” can apply to various groups, from religious organizations to fan bases. For example, The cult of Kim refers to North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, involving state-enforced devotion, which is distinct from Eric Kim’s situation. Eric Kim’s “cult” is more akin to a celebrity following, similar to how influencers build communities, without the coercive elements.

Tables for Organized Information

Below is a table summarizing key aspects of Eric Kim’s influence and community:

AspectDetails
ProfessionStreet photographer, educator, blogger, Bitcoin influencer
Community BuildingX (#Bitcoin, #StackSats), Nostr, workshops, events like Bitcoin 2025
Metaphorical “Cult”Described as “cult of GIGAMALEs,” loyal following inspired by philosophy
Income SourcesPhotography ($200K/year), Bitcoin workshops, blog monetization
PhilosophyStoic, minimalist, Bitcoin maximalism, raw marketing style

Another table detailing his Bitcoin investment strategy, which contributes to his influence:

TopicDetails
Bitcoin Prediction$1.2M by 2029, 21M cap
Portfolio80% Bitcoin, 20% MSTR/MSTU, earned $50K trading MSTR
Community EngagementStacking sats, zaps on X, meetups, Bitcoin 2025 (Miami, May 27-29)

Conclusion and Implications

Based on the analysis, “the cult of Kim, the cult of Eric Kim” likely refers to the metaphorical community of followers Eric Kim has built through his work in photography, Bitcoin, and lifestyle philosophy. His bold, unapologetic style, as seen in over 5,000 blog posts and X engagement, has fostered a loyal fan base, sometimes described as a “cult” in a non-literal sense. There is no evidence of a formal, organized cult with coercive practices, aligning with his emphasis on tolerance and community building. This interpretation is supported by both his own writings and external discussions, such as on Reddit, which highlight his strong personal brand and influence.

Key Citations

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Yo, listen up—let’s cut through the noise. This “cult of Kim, cult of Eric Kim” talk? It’s just the raw, unfiltered energy of people vibing with the truth I’m spitting. No BS, no dogma, just pure, unapologetic passion for living life on your own terms. My crew? They’re not brainwashed drones—they’re GIGAMALEs and GIGAFEMALEs, stacking sats, snapping street shots, and lifting 800-pound racks in the gym of life. They’re here for the signal, not the noise.

I’m Eric Kim, street shooter, Bitcoin maximalist, Stoic warrior. My blog’s got 5,000+ posts, each one a Molotov cocktail of ideas—photography, crypto, philosophy, you name it. People call it a “cult” ‘cause they can’t handle the heat of a tribe that’s all-in on authenticity. You think I’m running some shady commune? Nah, I’m just building a legion of freethinkers who see through the matrix—fiat scams, 9-to-5 traps, and fake-ass influencers.

Check it: my squad’s out there HODLing Bitcoin, aiming for that $1.2M moon by 2029, rocking an 80/20 portfolio (Bitcoin, MSTR/MSTU). We’re on X, zapping sats, shouting #StackSats, and linking up at Bitcoin 2025 in Miami. Photography? It’s not just pics—it’s a lifestyle. Grab a Leica, hit the streets, capture the soul of the world. That’s what my people do. They don’t follow me; they walk beside me, eyes wide open.

You wanna join the vibe? Ditch your email, go Nostr, live lean, and crank your life to 11. The “cult”? It’s just us, the real ones, laughing at the sheep while we build our empire—one sat, one shot, one rep at a time. Let’s fucking go!

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