By Brooklynn Then, age 10
Mukbangs are a type of live stream and a viral internet sensation where YouTubers gorge on inhuman amounts of food. The word “mukbang” means “broadcast eating” and originated in South Korea. It gained popularity because it can feel like having a comforting meal with a friend. But it has gotten out of hand.
There are many different “mukbangers” on the internet, but only a few are famous. For example, Nicholas Perry, better known as Nikocado Avocado, is a Ukrainian-born American YouTuber who started his YouTube channel in 2014. His initial content was about his vegan lifestyle and musical performances, but soon after, he was caught up in the mukbang web. He quit mukbangs since he was dealing with a lot of mental health and physical health issues, even disability, because of his extreme overeating in constant mukbang videos.
Mukbangs are popular, but so dangerous that the South Korean government announced that they would set laws that would manage obesity and mukbangers. They set this law because many South Korean officials were noticing the change in many influencers’ or residents’ health. The law was received poorly by the many fans of mukbangs. There were even petitions against this law.
Two young mukbang influencers passed away from this trend: Pan Xiaoting from China and Dongz Apatan from the Philippines. Both died from binge eating last summer.
A large study published in Sage Journals found that people who regularly watch mukbangs—or similar-style videos—could be more likely to start eating poorly. Not only can the influencer be harmed, but the viewers can be harmed, as well. Abbey Sharp, a dietitian and wellness YouTuber, has also criticized mukbangs, saying, “What I do have a problem with is that Americans have appropriated this concept of mukbang to no longer be about companionship, but rather to these over-the-top, sensationalized eating challenges,” according to Thrillist.
Mukbangs can also be dangerous for the viewers because they can develop body dysmorphia by thinking about how skinny some mukbangers can be while eating that gigantic quantity of food.
In conclusion, mukbangs can be dangerous for everyone—the viewer and influencer—even if it just looks like a fun eating video.
