Were you able to experience watching strangers or even your favorite celebrities eating large quantities of food on Youtube? This is a kind of eating show called “Mukbang or Meokbang” in Korean. It is an online audiovisual broadcast in which a host (mukbangers) eats a large amount of food while there is an interaction with the viewers. Since 2010, this has become a global trend and hits its popularity in South Korea. Varieties of foods ranging from pizza, seafoods to noodles are consumed by the mukbangers while talking in front of their camera.
According to Katie Jackson, a professional mukbangers can earn up to $10,000 a month – not including sponsorships from food and drinks brands. One of the pioneers mukbangers is Banzz. He is famous for being able to eat massive amounts of food while retaining his impressive physique. Although Banzz speaks Korean in his videos, many are subbed into different languages including English, making him a favorite for viewers all around the world (YP Cadet Jasmine Wang).
On the negative side of this trend, this kind of eating show somehow may lead to overeating and may also encourage poor eating habits among individuals. The mukbangers overindulge on large amounts of varieties of food to survive. As a result, binge eating habits may develop among themselves and their viewers. Eating large portions of these foods may result in poor nutrition choices or selecting unhealthy foods that may develop alarming health risks such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. This can also trigger disordered eating practice that is really in danger.
On the good side, Mukbang may also benefit viewers with mukbangers patronizing healthy food choices for healthy and safe consumption and emphasizing avoiding unhealthy foods. This way the mukbanger becomes a good influencer. This trend also unites people from all over the world that the audience is involved in a large social connection. To some viewers, tuning into their favorite mukbanger forms a unique bond from the comfort of their personal social media accounts despite the distance.
Mukbanger builds a sense of community around food that also helps in realizing the importance of eating with company. This revives the habit of dining with peers, family, or someone on the screen most especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic where social distancing has been encouraged. Meals consumed together is a growing lost art that the mukbang community is bringing back to life. Although it has been done virtually, at least it has that good vibe of having company while eating.
NO I Zhalimar A. Jakaria-Patulada, RND
References:
What is ‘mukbang’? Inside the viral Korean food YouTube trend
https://www.today.com/food/what-mukbang-inside-viral-korean-food-phenomenon-t123251
9 top mukbang Youtubers to follow: The most entertaining channels of the viral Korean trend
https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/features/article/3067627/9-top-mukbang-youtubers-follow-2019-most
The Rise of Mukbang in the US: Dangers and Benefits
https://www.freddabranyon.com/blog/the-rise-of-mukbang-in-the-us-dangers-and-benefits/
