Image by McGeddon from WikiMedia Commons
Trigger Warning: Mention of Disordered Eating that may be distressing for some viewers.
It all started with a camera, a mountain of food and a stranger on the internet saying, “Let’s eat together”.
If you have been on TikTok recently, you have probably seen those viral videos of people munching their way through piles of food. But behind the camera, what do the experts truly think of Mukbangs?
The term Mukbang first originated from South Korea and directly translates as ‘eating broadcast’. These types of videos were initially created as a way of sharing a meal in a culture where eating alone feels taboo.
Mattias Strand, a researcher in cultural and social psychiatry, explained that “in Korean society, dining is a deeply social activity and many Koreans find it almost unthinkable to sit and eat alone – Mukbangs are like a virtual companion for those that are eating solo.”
However, in more recent years, Mukbang content has gone viral and has since become a global phenomenon.
Mattias argues that while the international popularity isn’t necessarily a bad thing, “the sweet and innocent, Korean origin of Mukbangs has almost turned into some weird binge eating concept.”
Regardless, the appeal still stuck. Whether it’s curiosity, comfort or chaos, people all around the world are tuning in to watch strangers eat.
But what makes someone want to watch a stranger demolish 15 bowls of noodles or a table full of fried chicken dripping in sauce?
Mattias explained that these videos are so popular largely because they’re “weird and over the top” in a way that captivates an audience’s attention.
Essentially, Mukbangs are another fun, online trend that live in the same area of the internet as unboxing videos, TikTok dances, slime videos or even ASMR – stuff that’s weirdly satisfying to watch, even if you can’t quite explain why.
However, for other viewers, he explained that they’re popular because of the intimacy that they provide: “These types of videos are very social so that you feel like you get to know the person who is doing the Mukbang” – almost as though you are on facetime with a close friend.
However, below the surface, Mattias found that people respond to Mukbangs in quite different ways. He explained: “Mukbangs can be destructive as they can either trigger binge eating episodes or, in contrast, some people make use of these videos to reduce their own food intake in an equally unhealthy way.”
Throughout his research he noticed that some viewers adopted a “you’re eating for me, so that I don’t have to eat” mentality – almost as though viewers are living vicariously through the creators.
But it isn’t all doom and gloom. He explained that some viewers use Mukbang content to cope with disordered eating: “It could be in order to avoid binge eating, again, because the Mukbang host is sort of eating for you, or for those that are struggling to increase their food intake, they can also sometimes be inspired by Mukbangs to actually dare to eat more.”
There’s this strange duality where Mukbangs can either reduce or increase someone’s cravings, and sometimes both, depending on the day.
But Mukbangs don’t just mess with our appetites, they also challenge how we think about food, our bodies, and control.
Mattias explained that in a way, they’re kind of like the latest version of competitive eating shows. There’s spectacle, abundance, and the fascination with how some creators can eat huge amounts of food and still remain healthy and somewhat athletic-looking.
So much so that some viewers are becoming suspicious about what happens behind the scenes: “Some viewers seem to think that creators are engaging in purging behaviours after the video is done or that they are somehow editing the videos to cut off before they actually swallow.”
But, despite the controversy and the backlash, Mattias is hesitant to blame Mukbang creators for promoting unhealthy eating habits: “Most of the viewers watching Mukbang content don’t experience any problems at all and in most Mukbang videos, the eating is depicted as joyful, friendly and fun, so it’s not a destructive ambience as such.”
Similarly, in the few cases where it is obvious that the creator’s health was becoming at risk, Mattais mentioned that he was struck by the unexpected support from followers, urging creators to put their health first.
So, is this healthy? The short answer is it depends. For most viewers, Mukbang videos are harmless entertainment, but for those with a tricky relationship with food, it can be much more difficult.
Likewise, Mukbangs are quite unpredictable: “Many viewers seem to have very ambivalent reactions to Mukbangs. For instance, one day they experience it as helpful and the next day when they come back for more of the same content, it turns out to be triggering instead.”
It’s important to remember that if Mukbangs do start to feel more dangerous than fun, then there’s no shame in stepping back or talking to someone about it. Mattias recommends online communities like Reddit for finding people who “get it,” especially if you’re not ready to talk to a doctor or therapist: “There are nuanced, thoughtful convos happening out there,” he says. “You’re definitely not alone”.
So, whether you find Mukbangs oddly satisfying or simply gross, these viral videos are definitely more than just another pointless internet trend – they offer a reflection of how we eat, how we connect, and what we crave.
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