User:Uwjk360 sp2016/Mukbang

What is Muk-bang

Muk-bang is a Korean abbreviation word for eat(먹) and broadcast(방). it is a type of internet broadcast show in which the main theme is to eat and to talk to the viewers.

History of Muk-bang

The exact date for the first muk-bang is unclear. Muk-bang began in 2008 through various media platforms on the Internet, such as AfreecaTV. Muk-bang became famous among the younger generation who are the main consumers of the internet broadcasting shows. From then on, it became a viral trend and common in Korean internet show. During the South Korean presidential election in 2012, the candidates used muk-bang as one of their campaign strategies.

Reasons for Popularity

There are several explanations given by various scholars. Jeff Yang, an Asian-American cultural critic and senior vice president of the global research firm The Futures Company, said that muk-bang had its origins in “the loneliness of unmarried or uncoupled Koreans, in addition to the inherently social aspect of eating in Korea” during the interview with Quartz

Kim-Hae Jin,Phd candidate from Choson University, argued that one can vicariously satisfy the desire for the food. BJ (Broadcast Jockey) and people who are watching broadcast can interact with each other through chatting and BJ would claim to be their “avatar” which will exactly follow what people ask him or her to do.

Adema contends in her article:"food television incorporates the vicarious pleasures of watching someone else cook and eat; the emulsion of entertainment and cooking; the jumbling of traditional gender roles; and ambivalence toward cultural standards of body, consumption, and health. … simultaneously perpetuates the stress of social expectations, and sprinkles sexual innuendos in a venue traditionally associated with maternal security.

Other Media Platforms

File:맛있는 녀석들 Poster.jpeg

맛있는 녀석들 - "Tasty Guys"

The popularity of muk-bang has inspired different variations and adaptions of the “Eating Broadcasting” concept. This fascinating trend has continued to gain viewers, create stars, and profit, catching the interest of mainstream media both domestically and internationally. In South Korea, there was a drama called Let’s Eat (Hangul: 식샤를 합시다; RR: Siksyareul Habsida) that focused on people who were brought together due to their love of food. In the drama, the characters explore various restaurants and after each episode, the featured foods become a hot topic among young adult viewers. These viewers later seek out these restaurants.

Broadcasting stations are looking to capitalize on this interest in other ways as well. Happy Together, a popular entertainment show in South Korea, has a segment where their celebrity guests will cook and then share their favorite dishes with the rest of the cast. JTBC, a South Korean general cable TV network is also looking to jump on the bandwagon with a new variety show in the works. They are planning on a food-centric variety show called “Girls Who Eat Well” and are looking to cast girl group members from popular South Korean K-pop girl groups. Even Infinity Challenge, one of Korea’s most popular variety shows, have showcased a mukbang episode.

Mainstream media is not the only platform to showcase Mukbang. For example, celebrities have done Mukbang broadcasts as a CF to promote a food brand.

Muk-bang has also gained international interest as well. The popular Youtube series, Youtubers React, showed various Youtube stars reacting to the South Korean trend and ended with their own mini Muk-bang show.

Prominent Mukbang Broadcasters

BJ The Diva

Her real name is Park Seo-Yeon and is known to have been the highest earning Broadcast Jockey to date. She had earned as much as $9300 a month from her fan’s and viewer’s donations, and most notably in 2014. Her broadcast videos can be found on AfreecaTV and YouTube. She had been globally exposed by CNN, garnering more attention towards this Korean phenomenon of a "mukbang".

BJ Fitness Fairy

BJ Fitness Fairy was a former physique builder who became interested in the phenomenon of sitting in front of a camera and eat, broadcasting to many people online. She streams on AfreecaTV and spends several hours eating and communicating with her fans and viewers, earning about $4000 a week. BJ Fitness Fairy also spends several hours exercising to keep up with her physique.

BJ Hyo-Jjang

BJ Hyo-Jjang's real name is Kim Hyo Jin, and she is a broadcaster that is watched by over 100 viewers. Before she began this phenomenon of a muk-bang, she was a translator. As she started recording herself eat, she had decided to continue and quit her job. She plans to continue broadcasting as long as her viewers will desire to watch her eat. .

BJ Patoo

BJ Patoo is a 14-year-old broadcaster. Most notably the youngest muk-bang broadcaster who makes $1,500 a night. He is an entertaining youngster who dressed up as a girl during a broadcast as a silly challenge.

See Also

AfreecaTV