Bang Bang MUKBANG!

Have you heard of Mukbang? If you are a foodie AND a youtube addict (like me), you might have come across it a few months back when the Fine Brothers decided to do a react video to this. First I didn’t think much of it. Then later, when I got cravings for various food but was in no situation to have them or order them, I just went on Youtube to see people EAT! That’s right, you didn’t misread it. I went to see people EAT. And for SOME reason, it was highly satisfying.

Is this making any sense to you? No? Okay. Let me start from the beginning.

What is Mukbang?

Mukbang is a South Korean show. ‘Mukbang’ combines two words – Muk and Bang, which together means “eating broadcast”. The name is pretty self-explanatory. Here people eat while online with hundreds and thousands of viewers. These viewers watch them eat delicious food for a variety of reasons. The hosts of this show are called Broadcast Jockeys or BJs and are available throughout the intake of the meal on an online chatroom. It got very popular in South Korea in the 2000s and still is.

Who really watches Mukbang?

As in the video the brothers mentioned, two of the main categories of the viewers are the people trying to be on a diet and the individuals who live a bit lonely lives. People who are doing their best to keep the diet intact but occasionally have these obvious cravings for high-calorie unhealthy food, are regular audience of Mukbang. The virtual intake of food pleases their inner hunger somehow.

The other group of viewers consists of people who live in apartments alone and have no one to have a meal with. Mukbang gives them a virtual companion and this is why, the show is usually broadcasted with an online chatroom. This allows the viewers to share their own thoughts with the BJs.

Where can I find it?

The video streaming channel AfreecaTV has many mukbang shows. You can check out those on the mukbang section of their website. Some of its Mukbang stars are Banzz, TheDiva, Godessju/ Wangju and many others. Many of these videos are also available on Youtube. Check this one out! –

So, if you ever feel craving for foods you can’t have, want a meal-partner or just want to see someone taking monstrous amounts of food in one sitting, do check out Mukbang! What a time to live as a foodie!