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Can YouTubers challenge cultural stereotypes through mukbangs?
YouTubers can use mukbangs to challenge prejudices and promote a more inclusive and empathetic global community. Photo Credit: Qonversations/Runway
The South Korean craze known as “mukbang” is live-streaming or recording oneself consuming a lot of food and engaging with viewers. This special fusion of cuisine and entertainment has captured the attention of viewers all around the world, spanning cultural divides and generating millions of views.
YouTubers from a variety of backgrounds have embraced the mukbang trend as it has become more and more famous worldwide, which has sparked debates about whether or not these creators may use their platform to challenge and demolish cultural prejudices.
The arguments
Promoting Cross-Cultural Understanding
Mukbangs give YouTubers a platform to share with a worldwide audience their traditional foods and customs. Mukbangers can promote greater understanding and appreciation of other cultures by teaching viewers about their culinary traditions. Indian mukbangers, for instance, could dispel misconceptions and preconceptions about Indian cuisine by elucidating the importance of particular spices or regional specialties.
Breaking Stereotypes Through Personal Narratives
Mukbangers have the opportunity to refute cultural myths by sharing personal stories and experiences over meals. For example, an African Mukbanger could clarify misunderstandings about African food and culture. These creators humanise their culture by providing genuine presentations and personal views into their lives.
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
YouTube’s mukbang community is made up of creators from a wide range of backgrounds, genders, and nationalities. Their material, which features a variety of meals and eating styles, celebrates this diversity.
Mukbangers make the online community more welcoming and inclusive by valuing and celebrating diversity. By exposing viewers to various viewpoints and lifestyles, they are inspired to question their prejudices and widen their horizons.
Addressing Body Image and Food Norms
Mukbangs also challenge assumptions about food consumption and body image. In many countries, strict restrictions govern what types and amounts of food are acceptable for ingestion. Mukbangers frequently flout these standards by indulging in excessive food without remorse.
In addition to challenging unhealthy societal eating and body image standards, this has the ability to promote body positivity. Plus-sized mukbangers can dispel the misconception that bigger people should be embarrassed about their hunger or avoid eating in public.
The facts
The term “eating broadcast” (mukbang) first appeared in Korean in the late 2000s.
With sites like Twitch and YouTube contributing significantly to its global growth, the movement rapidly expanded to other nations.
Prominent YouTubers with millions of subscribers include Nikocado Avocado from the United States and Banzz from South Korea.
The people who create mukbang come from several cultural backgrounds: European, American, African, and Korean.
The trend is quite diverse, exhibiting a variety of culinary traditions with dishes ranging from Western fast food to traditional Korean fare.
Mukbangers frequently engage their audience in real-time conversations and comments, fostering a feeling of community.
The producers’ personal narratives and cultural observations pique the curiosity of viewers in addition to the cuisine.
