누구든지 작은 하마를 건드리면 아주 좆되는거야

This meme began to gain explosive popularity around mid-February 2012, primarily centered on the Ruliweb Comics Board (Mange). After the first parody, "The Story of Little Shell," was uploaded on February 14, 2012, it spread rapidly, with over 30 parodies emerging in just two days.

The phrase "누구든지 작은 하마를 건드리면 아주 좆되는거야" (Anyone who messes with the little hippo is really screwed) originated from a parody that cruelly reinterpreted the children's fairy tale 'The Story of the Little Hippo'. The core of the story is about a hippo, seemingly small and weak, who exacts extremely violent revenge on a crow that stole its precious toy train. This meme is used as a strong warning or threat, implying, "Though they may seem harmless on the surface, if you provoke them, you will face severe retaliation." In particular, the meme's final line, "누구든 작은 하마를 건드리면 좆되는 거에요. 아주 좆되는 거야" (Anyone who messes with the little hippo is screwed. Really screwed.), expresses this meaning most directly.

Noo-goo-deun-jee jah-geun hah-mah-reul geon-deu-ree-myeon ah-joo joh-dweh-neun-geo-yah

This meme originated primarily in online communities like the Ruliweb Comics Board and was actively consumed by young people in their late teens to early thirties who were familiar with subcultures such as games, animation, and webtoons. While it became widely known across internet culture as parodies were created in various fields, its initial spread was driven by users of specific online communities.

• The "Little Hippo Story Song" is a representative parody that re-wrote the lyrics of the original song 'Doremi-fa Rondo' to express the hippo's cruel revenge in song.

• This meme also appeared as a parody in Naver webtoons 'Born to Be a Slob' and 'Cherry Tomato'.
• It has been widely parodied across various media, including games (e.g., League of Legends, Mabinogi Heroes, StarCraft II), manga/anime (e.g., Future Diary, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU), movies/dramas (e.g., Doctor Who, Star Wars), and even political satire (e.g., "The Story of Little Gak-ka," "The Story of Little Korea").
• Animated versions also exist.

This meme includes the vulgar term 'joj' (좆) and the original story depicts extremely violent and cruel revenge. Therefore, it is advisable not to use it in formal or polite situations, or in the presence of children or sensitive individuals. It could potentially create an aggressive or inappropriate impression.