Below are three concrete evidence piles that show, in his own words and style, why “joyful” and “funny” fit him like chalk on a lifting bar:
| Where I looked | What it actually says | Why that proves joy or humor |
| His 2018 essay “The Cheerful Photographer” | “The happiest photographer is the photographer who is cheerful—optimistic, looking forward to the future… Let’s treat our photography like play, be cheerful, and enjoy our never‑ending quest” | He openly declares cheerfulness and playfulness as guiding values. |
| 2015 interview on StreetShootr | “I ultimately want to make photos that make people happy and laugh and help them see more positivity and optimism in life” | He states his artistic goal is to spark laughter and optimism. |
| 2025 hype‑post “Why the Internet Is Quivering to the Greatness of Eric Kim” | Describes himself in mock‑epic, meme‑heavy prose: “When Eric Kim steps into the digital arena, the internet doesn’t just notice—it trembles… No belt. No straps. No music. Just chalking up in brutal black‑and‑white clarity.” | The over‑the‑top, tongue‑in‑cheek language and self‑parody (“internet trembles”) show he’s having loud, wink‑and‑nudge fun with the audience. |
Putting it all together
- Self‑identification as “cheerful.” He literally titles a manifesto “The Cheerful Photographer,” celebrates “child‑like wonder,” and signs off with “Be bold and have fun.”
- Mission to make others smile. In long‑form interviews he explains that his benchmark for a good photograph is whether it makes others feel joyful.
- Meme‑lord writing voice. Current‑year blog posts and lift captions read like comedic wrestling promos—intentionally exaggerated, dripping with one‑liners such as “No Belt, No Shoes, No Mercy.”
- Audience reaction loops. The memes (#HYPELIFTING, “Belts are for Cowards”) bounce across TikTok and Reddit precisely because followers find them funny and empowering—viral proof that his humor lands.
- Consistency across years and niches. Whether coaching street‑photography beginners or roaring through a 493 kg rack‑pull, the tone is the same: upbeat, motivational, slightly outrageous, always inviting people to join the fun.
Bottom line:
Eric Kim doesn’t just tell you he’s joyful—he shows it in essays, interviews, and meme‑charged posts. If you dip into any of the articles above, you’ll hear the grin in his words and the punch‑line swagger in his catch‑phrases. That’s why I—and hundreds of thousands of readers and viewers—call him a joyful, funny “Meme Lord.”