What Is Mukbang? [And How It’s Taking 2024 by Storm]

You might have heard about the hot new internet trend of eating in front of a webcam while thousands of people are watching. Or maybe seen a video of people eating or even competing against each other.

In fact, it’s such a fun and popular activity, it even has a name. It’s called a Mukbang.

But what is Mukbang exactly?

Here’s the deal:

Mukbang is when someone hosts an online audiovisual broadcast while consuming food and interacting with the audience. It became popular in South Korea over a decade ago, around 2008. Since then, it’s become a worldwide trend.

But if you’re only just discovering this peculiar trend, you probably have a whole list of questions.

Luckily for you, we’ve got all the answers!

Today, we’ll cover in detail everything starting from what is a Mukbang, to how it originated, to its adoption in the US, to why do people watch Mukbang, all the way to who are the most popular Mukbangers.

So, now is the time for you to find out all about Mukbang! Grab a snack and read on.

Why Is It Called a Mukbang? Mukbang Origin

The word Mukbang is actually quite self-explanatory. Mukbang in Korean is a blend of two words muk-bang – “eating” (myeongnyun) and “broadcast” (bangsong). The English equivalent would be “eatcast.” The Mukbang definition and Mukbang meaning can be more or less specific depending on where you look for it.

Occasionally, you can come across several Mukbangers hosting an event together. What type of food they will consume also differs. Some of them are vegans, so the meals they have are strictly plant-based.

Anyhow, all Mukbangers eat vast amounts of food. Some of them also broadcast while they shop and prepare the food, while others just order a takeout. Mukbangers host their broadcasts from their homes, but some choose to go to restaurants or any other place that serves food. They’re sometimes accused of having bad table manners and promoting unhealthy eating habits.

Now:

American Mukbang: All about Mukbang in the US

Around 2015, Americans also became interested in watching a Mukbang live stream. Although it took time for US Mukbang YouTube channels to become trendy, nowadays they are quite popular. After an American entertainment company posted videos of how famous YouTubers react to Korean Mukbang, the trend exploded in the US.

Today, lots of Americans make eating broadcasts. Some are doing it to earn money, while others are just in it to have a bit of fun. One of the reasons why Mukbang took off is due to the fact that American culture is very food-oriented. It’s all about food and the different kinds of food.

Now:

Why do people like Mukbang, and why is Mukbang a thing, especially in the US?

Well, fast food is synonymous with the American eating lifestyle. So, it’s no wonder Mukbang culture was easily adopted in the US.

Think about it:

Food eating contests have been part of American popular culture for ages. Mukbang is a similar concept. Firstly, people consume vast amounts of food in Mukbangs. Secondly, both food contests and Mukbangs tend to focus on comfort food.

As it turns out, viewers prefer to watch Mukbangers eating junk food. It’s probably because more and more people are trying to have a balanced healthy diet. So, they indulge in a Mukbang stream instead of, say, devouring five hot dogs and a large pack of chips themselves.

Popular Mukbang Channels and Broadcast Jockeys

Another name for Mukbangers is broadcast jockeys (BJs). Today, there are many broadcast jockeys who have their own channels entirely dedicated to Mukbang. As we mentioned earlier, there are also many YouTube stars who have embraced this trend.

Banzz is one of the most popular Korean BJs – and not just because he can eat massive amounts of food. Have a look, and you’ll be shocked to see how well he maintains his physique.

Many of you are probably wondering how can Muckbangers eat so much? Well, Banzz has certainly figured out how to stay away from Mukbang eating disorder risks by working out on a daily basis.

Yuka Kinosh*ta is another famous BJ. Her YouTube channel has a mind-blowing 5.48 million subscribers. In 2020, she ate 200 sushi in one sitting. Her channel is a shining example of what Mukbang means. She eats massive amounts of food, and her Mukbang food stream also includes fast food, raising the question of is Mukbang unhealthy.

Last but not least:

HunniBee ASMR is one of the Mukbangs stars who has combined another online streaming trend – ASMR – with Mukbang. She has 3.96 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, and her videos have been watched about 49 million times.

How amazing is that? We bet that you’d want a YouTube audience and channel with that amount of views.

By now, you’re probably wondering how much do you make from Mukbang?

Actually, Hunnibee’s net worth is $1.5 million. On top of combining ASMR with eating, the food this YouTube star eats is not typical junk food. Her streams include eating everyday objects like brushes, spoons, and sneakers, which are entirely made specifically in one color per video.

Let that sink in for a minute…

Why Is Mukbang Popular?

Ever since the Mukbangs appeared back in 2008, this online food eating phenomenon has been growing in popularity. One of the reasons why are Mukbangs so popular is because they are raising concerns about eating habits.

What’s more, people who don’t want to eat alone turn to watching Mukbang videos as a way to socialize.

And on that note:

Wrap up

It’s not hard to define Muckbang. Simply put, it’s a live broadcast or video of people eating a generous amount of food and interacting with the viewers. Now that you have a clear idea of what is Mukbang, you should know that the trend, which originated in South Korea just over a decade ago, has nowadays exploded globally.

Although many health concerns are raised about this trend, that doesn’t stop millions of people from enjoying it. This encourages more YouTubers to try to make Mukbang videos. Besides, they’re able to earn a lot of money simply by eating.

Not a bad way to make a living, is it?

FAQ

Q: What is the purpose of a Mukbang?

The purpose of Mukbang is to engage viewers in watching live streams or videos of people consuming plenty of food. Food is a basic human need, and that explains why do we like watching people eat. Plus, Mukbangers indulge in foods that we usually avoid to keep a balanced diet and eating habits. That’s why millions of people find Mukbang entertaining.

Q: Is Mukbang dangerous?

After the trend became extremely popular in South Korea, the Korean government actually issued a health warning for this activity. In addition, the government set guidelines for Mukbang shows. The main concerns were the side effects of watching people eat, since Mukbang may promote eating disorders.

Q: Who invented Mukbang?

The trend originated on the live stream platform AfreecaTV, but it exploded after Twitch added a social eating channel. It also became very popular on YouTube. There are multiple reasons why do we like watching people eat, and that’s why millions of people enjoy Mukbang videos.

Q: How much do Mukbang Youtubers make?

YouTubers are earning millions from eating on screen. Yes, some BJs are making six figures by filming these videos and demonstrating what is Mukbang. HunniBee, a famous YouTube star who makes Mukbang ASMR videos, has estimated average monthly earnings of over half a million dollars.

Sources:

FAQs

What is mukbang? ›

Mukbang is one of these trends that has gained popularity online in recent years. Mukbang is an online show in which a broadcast jockey eats food while interacting with viewers.

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How do mukbangers eat so much and not gain weight? ›

emptied a lot quicker than a regular person. Even though they ate, like, five times more, they were able to just pass the food. right through their body. And what this means is that the food, the calories, are not getting absorbed.

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What is the dark side of mukbang? ›

Making Mukbang requires constantly trying new foods, which may also have negative effects on the human body, such as food allergies and health problems caused by overconsumption of certain ingredients. In addition to physical health issues, making Mukbang also requires psychological and physical stress.

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What is the problem with mukbang? ›

This can be doubly dangerous— it can enable overeaters to continue overeating (to the point of overweight or obesity), and those who aren't eating enough to live vicariously through those who are eating more than enough. Basically, mukbang can enforce extreme eating behaviors on both sides of the spectrum.

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Is mukbang good or bad? ›

For some people, it can help fulfill a need to eat and connect with others. These shows can also be a source of ASMR for those who respond to these triggers. However, viewers should know that mukbang can promote unhealthy habits and trigger disordered eating in those who have those problems.

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How do Koreans eat so much but never gain weight? ›

Korean people love their vegetables, which is one of the key reasons behind their slim, healthy body. Given that most vegetables are fibrous, wholesome and low in calories, it helps tremendously in weight loss. The fibre in the veggies helps in feeling satiated, keeping other high caloric foods at bay.

How do Koreans eat so much and not gain weight? ›

Details of the Korean Weight Loss Diet

It primarily relies on whole, minimally-processed foods and a lot of vegetables. You can eat them raw, cooked, or fermented. Rice, and some meat, fish, or seafood is allowed. You are expected to eat plenty of kim chi, a fermented cabbage dish that's a staple in Korean cuisine.

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Why do people eat a lot but are still skinny? ›

This can be boiled down to good genes with a high metabolism, although experts say nutritional and behavioural factors could play a part to stave off the extra pounds of a person's body weight.

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How do mukbangers eat so much? ›

DO MUKBANGERS EAT ALL THE FOOD? However, people, including fans, suspect that some of the mukbangers use editing tricks to make people believe that they have consumed all the food. “I think mukbangers edit their videos and don't really eat all of the food shown,” says Varsha.

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Why is it called mukbang? ›

Mukbang comes from the Korean word 먹방, (meokbang), which combines the Korean words for “eating” (먹는 meongneun) and “broadcast” (방송 bangsong). In simple English terms, you could define the word as an “eatcast”.

Keep Reading ›

Why did China ban mukbang? ›

In a recent commentary, it advocated for a ban on livestreams that violate ethical standards, emphasizing the need to cleanse the online environment and prevent “Big Stomach King” influencers from engaging in potential misconduct.

Why are people filming themselves eating? ›

By cooking and eating food on camera for a large audience, mukbangers generate income from advertising, sponsorships and endorsem*nts, as well as viewers' support.

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What is the obsession with mukbang? ›

The phenomenon of vicarious satiation, in which the viewers' desire to eat specific foods is affected by watching the mukbangers eating the same food, has been called a magical eating fantasy, which means that the person can eat as much food as he wants without even suffering from the bad consequences of doing so.

Why is mukbang so famous? ›

A sense of community, especially at mealtimes, is valued, but as more and more Koreans are living and eating alone, mukbang fills this need. It is easy to see how this trend of watching others eat can move West when we consider that there is arguably nothing more relatable than food consumption and our love of food.

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Why would anyone watch mukbang? ›

Entertainment Reasons

Mukbangs can be highly entertaining. While eating, creators share stories and tell jokes, but for many viewers, even the sounds and sights of eating are pleasurable. ASMR mukbangs that emphasize sounds like sizzling food, chewing, slurping, and mixing are rewarding to watch.

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What Is Mukbang? [And How It’s Taking 2024 by Storm] | Digital in the Round (2024)