One type of video content that I recently got into is called mukbang videos. Mukbang is a show that YouTubers or streamers broadcast themselves eating, sometimes with the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR). Mukbang takes a huge role in Korean culture. Mukbang content started in Korea as it is an abbreviation of “mukneun bangsong” which means ‘eating broadcast’. It was created to provide satisfaction for viewers through the variety of food and the way they eat. Additionally, ASMR of the entertainers chewing, mixing the food, or cooking serves as an enjoyable sensation, fulfilling the hearing senses. Foreign YouTubers, content creators, and streamers started catching up to the mukbang trends, creating equivalent videos of them eating. I believe that mukbang allowed the expansion and recognition of Korean foods and Korea in general. The most popular mukbang channels tend to have content creators to have crunchy foods, unusual, unique foods, mass amounts of food, and videos with English subtitles. Mukbang is now a worldwide phenomenon that can easily be found on any media platform. Some popular entertainment platforms that mukbang broadcasters use are YouTube, TikTok, AfreecaTV (a Korean live-streaming platform), and Twitch.
I personally started watching Korean mukbang videos whenever I started craving authentic Korean foods that I enjoyed while I was studying abroad in Korea. Some of my favorite videos include foods such as tteokbokki, convenience store foods, and home-cooked meals. I also like to watch videos of YouTubers who are able to eat massive amounts along with eating multiple varieties of foods. Through the mukbang videos, I also come across a lot of the trends that are happening in Korea. Some examples include the spicy noodle challenge and the usage of rice papers. I also caught onto the trends of typical combinations of foods from specific brands. One of my favorite combinations includes a dish called ‘tteokbokki’ (spicy rice cake) from a brand called ‘Yeop Tteok’ and ‘honey combo’ (a type of sweet fried chicken) from ‘Gyochon’. Just by watching the mukbang videos, I was able to learn and connect with Korean culture.
Two of my go-to mukbang content creators on YouTube are “heebab” and “Samdaejang.” I like the YouTuber heebab because she is known for eating a crazy amount of food. She has become well known as she makes collaborations with famous entertainers in Korea. Her videos are also very helpful in learning Korean because she provides English subtitles in all of her videos. She travels to different places in Korea that I have never been to try popular restaurants. She also includes clips of herself communicating with the servers and her personal manager. Finally, I like the channel Samdaejang because they are a group of YouTubers who come up with interesting mukbang contents such as 의리 먹방 (euryi mukbang) and 도전 먹방 (dojeun mukbang) which are challenging mukbangs. Although they do not have the option for English subtitles, it is still useful as they are a group of friends. I am able to learn the casual conversations they hold while they are eating. They also make puns that allow me to know the different meanings of certain words.
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Mukbang videos are great! I remember seeing one on my recommended page and could not believe my eyes. The channel was Tzzuyang and she was eating more than what I'd probably eat in 3 days. They are definitely fun to watch and listen to. I even had a friend do an instagram live mukbang sitting down on the sidewalks of Tokyo.
The 'Yeop Tteok' and 'honey combo' combination is also one of my favorite combinations. I started to watch "heebab" recently and I always get amazed by how much see eats. It is insane. My personal go-to mukbang content creator on YouTube is 웅이 "woongei." There are some videos created by heebab and woongei together, so check them out!
I never knew mukbang was an abbrieviated word for mukneon bangsong. That is very interesting! I also really like watching people eat a lot of Korean food especially when I am studying in America. I am always shocked at how much food a youtuber could consume and some girls are very skinny.
Hi Hannah,
One popular Korean mukbang content creator I watch occasionally is Tzuyang, and in recent years she amassed 7.9 million subscribers on Youtube! She can eat massive portions in one sitting, and most of the time to bring attention to small businesses. One memorable video she made was having a mukbang at a struggling fried chicken restaurant due to the pandemic, and used her platform and influence to bring attention to their restaurant. It is incredible how Tzuyang and many mukbang content creators can eat huge portion sizes in one sitting because I certainly can't!
I love that Mukbangs have been a way for you to still feel connected to Korea now that you are back from abroad. I know that it can be a tricky transition, so I love that you had this way of engaging with the food and language you enjoyed so much abroad.