Mukbang (Broadcast Eating)

 

The Rise of Mukbang

I consider the concept of “mukbang” to be a major cultural difference between Koreans and Americans. I mean why? Just why?

Mukbang, if you didn’t already know, is “eating broadcast” or “broadcast eating” where people video themselves eating and then put it online for people to watch (or it’s done live).

It became popular earlier this decade but I only fairly recently heard about it. I even watched the Korean show “Let’s Eat” when it aired back in 2014, and I just didn’t catch on that this was a thing. It was all about the shared act of eating and constantly showed people stuffing their faces with delicious food. There was even a “Let’s Eat 2!” (But it wasn’t as good).

When I found out that mukbang existed, it all clicked. The extreme close up shots of mouths slurping foods and overreactions of meal enjoyment all made sense.

And the popularity for mukbang is still going strong as far as I can tell. There’s even a food talk show called “We Will Eat Well” that aired last year. Apparently the original concept was supposed to be various members of female k-pop idol groups doing eating competitions with each other. (I thought they never ate?)

Wait. What? Why?

I find it really bizarre because I grew up in the U.S. where staring at someone eating was rude OR eating in front of someone who wasn’t eating (e.g. they’re dieting) was rude.

But mukbang is supposed to allow the viewer to vicariously live, or rather eat, through the mukbang broadcaster (the mukbanger if you will 😉).

Personally, it would be torture for me to watch someone else enjoy their meal while I was dieting or otherwise couldn’t eat (no money, broken jaw, etc.).

Furthermore, I wouldn’t want people watching me make a mess of myself as I chow down on some galbi. That’s an almost immediate flossing situation afterwards. You know what I’m sayin’?

I’m not judging people who participate on either side of mukbang. I kind of find the draw fascinating. But, it’s just not my bag.

Are you into mukbang or know someone who is? If so, what got you or them started? Share in the comments because I’d love to know!