If you plough deeply into the reasons behind our hard work and earnings, it eventually comes down to the fundamental need to eat and satisfy hunger. Only after fulfilling this basic necessity do other priorities come into play.

But what if the act of eating itself becomes a means of earning? Not just for financial gain, but also for achieving popularity on both local and global scale?

You’ve probably watched those videos where a person sits in front of a camera, surrounded by a spread of food, and begins devouring it all in one go. Perhaps you’ve wondered ‘why?’ and ‘how?’ Trust me, I’ve been there.

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I used to watch Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos like these to help me fall asleep. If you’re trying to recall the term, it’s called a ‘mukbang’.

What exactly is a mukbang?

A mukbang is a live-streamed video where viewers watch the host eating. The essence of the mukbang lies in the large quantities of food consumed during the broadcast by the host. The host is commonly referred to as the ‘mukbanger’.

Initially, I wondered why people do it and how they do it.

While mukbangs may be a global trend at present, it originated in South Korea in the early 2010s and shows no signs of fading anytime soon.

The term mukbang comes from the Korean words for ‘eating’ (meokneun) and ‘broadcast’ (bangsong).

Why have mukbangs become so popular?

Historically, in South Korea, dining out and socialising hold great significance. Some speculate that mukbangs gained popularity because viewers sought to recreate the social aspect of dining through these videos.

Today, as mukbang videos are widely livestreamed and recorded, they also appeal to viewers seeking ASMR sensations.

ASMR refers to a phenomenon characterised by a tingling, static-like, or goosebumps sensation triggered by specific audio or visual stimuli. These sensations are often described as spreading across the skull, down the back of the neck, and sometimes through the spine or limbs. Individuals experiencing ASMR commonly report feelings of relaxation, calmness, sleepiness, or general well-being.

It is evident that people watch these mukbang videos to trigger their ASMR sensations and achieve a state of relaxation.

Potential risks 

However, the most concerning aspect lies with the mukbangers. They consume excessive amounts of food and calories, leading to health issues. Some well-known mukbangers have experienced negative health effects, even developing illnesses such as heart attacks.

Despite the potential risks faced by mukbangers, they continue due to the views and financial gains derived from their mukbang content.

Research states that watching mukbangs is particularly prevalent among young adults as it offers digital companionship, entertainment, a parasocial effect, escapism from real-life issues, and even potential sexual appeal.

However, excessive mukbang consumption has been linked to various health problems, including obesity and eating disorders. While not the case for everyone, vulnerable viewers may be negatively influenced by these videos, leading to unhealthy eating behaviours.

As viewers, we need to be conscious and aware of the content we consume and the time we dedicate to watching it. 

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