He walks across the tarmac in slow motion. The black leather trench coat catches the wind just right. Behind him, a massive Hwasong-17 missile looms like a set piece from a 1980s action flick. But the real star isn't the rocket—it’s the eyewear.
Kim Jong Un sunglasses aren't just about blocking the sun. They’re a calculated piece of political theater. Honestly, if you’ve seen the "Top Gun" style propaganda videos coming out of Pyongyang lately, you know exactly the look I'm talking about. It’s a jarring mix of high-stakes militarism and surprisingly modern "cool."
But where do they come from? And why does a man who bans "capitalist" fashion for his citizens seem so obsessed with a good pair of shades?
The "Top Gun" Pivot and the Leather Jacket Era
For years, Kim Jong Un stuck to the script. He dressed like his grandfather, Kim Il Sung. That meant the Mao suits, the specific high-top fade, and those thick, horn-rimmed optical glasses that made him look like a studious revolutionary. It was "legacy dressing" at its finest. He was trying to inherit the legitimacy of the nation's founder by literally wearing his face.
Then, things shifted.
Around 2022, we started seeing a "Hollywood-ized" version of the Supreme Leader. The most famous instance was that glossy missile launch video. You’ve probably seen the memes. He checks a fancy watch, he slides off a pair of dark, wrap-around sunglasses with a flourish, and he nods to his generals.
It was a total departure.
Suddenly, he wasn't just a grandson; he was his own man. The sunglasses became a shorthand for "The New Era." Analysts like those at the Stimson Center noted that this was a deliberate move to project confidence and a more "global" commander-in-chief vibe. It’s sorta fascinating when you think about it—using the very symbols of Western pop culture to sell a domestic message of strength.
Decoding the Brand: Are They Luxury or Local?
This is where it gets tricky. In North Korea, information is a black hole. We don't have a "What Kim Wore" Instagram account to tag the brands. However, eagle-eyed watchers and defectors have given us some pretty solid clues over the years.
His father, Kim Jong Il, was famous for his oversized, almost feminine "widower" shades. People often speculated those were high-end European brands, possibly vintage Ray-Bans or custom pieces from Japanese makers.
Kim Jong Un's taste is snazzier.
- The Aviator Influence: Many of his recent pairs look like high-quality aviators, likely made from acetate or high-grade metal.
- The "Dear Leader" Connection: There’s actually a Danish brand called Dear Leader that makes sunglasses specifically to mock/highlight the regime, but Kim obviously isn't wearing those.
- The Luxury Pipeline: Despite heavy sanctions, the Kim family has a long history of getting what they want. Whether it's the IWC Portofino watch he's been spotted in or the Dior coats his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, wears, luxury goods flow into Pyongyang through complex smuggling routes, often via China or Southeast Asia.
It’s highly likely his sunglasses are either high-end European imports (think Cartier or Gucci) or very high-quality "tributes" produced by specialized workshops in China.
The Hypocrisy of the Shade
Here is the kicker. While Kim is living his best "Maverick" life, the North Korean state is reportedly cracking down on these very same items for everyone else.
Recent reports from the South Korean Unification Ministry, based on defector testimony, suggest that "capitalist" fashion is under fire again. We’re talking about a literal ban on things like:
- Skinny jeans
- Specific "non-socialist" hairstyles
- Sunglasses
Wait, what?
Yeah. Apparently, sunglasses have been labeled "counter-revolutionary" in some contexts. The logic is that they hide the eyes—the "windows to the soul"—and suggest a level of individualism that the state doesn't like. Unless, of course, you're the guy at the top.
It’s a classic "do as I say, not as I do" situation. For the leadership, the glasses represent the "look" of power and the ability to see the world without being seen. For the average person in Pyongyang, they’re a ticket to a "re-education" camp.
Why the Style Actually Matters
Fashion in a hermit kingdom is never just fashion. It’s a signal.
When Kim wears those shades, he’s telling his people—and the West—that he’s modern. He’s telling them he isn't afraid of the "imperialist" look. He’s absorbing it.
It also serves a practical purpose. Kim Jong Il reportedly wore dark glasses to hide bloodshot eyes from overwork (or health issues). Analysts have wondered if the younger Kim is doing the same. It’s hard to tell if he’s tired or just trying to look cool when half his face is covered by polarized lenses.
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How to Spot the "Dictator Chic" Look
If you’re looking at the evolution of his eyewear, there are three distinct " Kim Jong Un sunglasses" phases:
Phase 1: The Horn-Rimmed Scholar
Early in his rule, he wore thick, dark frames. They weren't sunglasses, but they set the stage. These were strictly about looking like Kim Il Sung. Boring, traditional, and very "party official."
Phase 2: The Functional Aviator
When he started doing more "on-the-spot guidance" at fish farms or factories, he began sporting classic metal-frame aviators. These were utilitarian. They looked like something a general in the 70s would wear.
Phase 3: The Modern Action Hero
This is the current vibe. Wrap-around styles, dark tints, and thicker acetate frames. These are the pairs that appear in the high-production-value missile videos. They’re meant to look expensive because they probably are.
What You Can Learn from This
Look, nobody is suggesting you go out and try to "get the Kim look" for your next beach trip. That’s a bit much. But there is a takeaway here about the power of personal branding.
- Accessories are signals: Your choice of eyewear tells a story before you even open your mouth.
- Contrast creates interest: The reason the "Top Gun" video went viral is the contrast between a rigid, isolated regime and a very Western, cinematic aesthetic.
- Consistency is key: Kim knows that once he finds a "look" that works for a specific message (like the leather jacket and shades), he needs to stick with it until the next pivot.
If you’re genuinely interested in the history of political fashion or just want to see how symbols are used in propaganda, keep an eye on the state media (KCNA) releases. You’ll notice that every time there’s a major shift in North Korean policy, there’s usually a wardrobe change to match.
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Next time you see a headline about a missile test, don't just look at the rocket. Look at the frames. They’ll tell you exactly who Kim Jong Un is trying to be that day.