First, I will preface this by saying that I absolutely have no issues with the people who create or watch mukbang videos and streams. If it brings you happiness, if it's something you enjoy, and you aren't causing harm to others then, as far as I am concerned, carry on.
I have been aware of mukbang ever since I first heard of it and what it was about, a few years ago. But I was never really intrigued enough to watch a video, let alone know any more about it. For years it was just "a thing" that other people did.
A few weeks ago, I stumbled onto a mukbang video on Youtube. That lead me down the famed Youtube rabbit hole and before I knew it, I had watched a few mukbang videos from a few different streamers.
It's both disgusting and fascinating. I feel similarly when I watch something like Hoarders or My 600-lb Life. And, like those shows, I'm not going to seek them out to watch regularly but when they're on a screen I cannot turn away.
- Why?!?
- Are they actually eating this much in one sitting or, is there any kind of trick photography involved?
- What do these people do to offset, if anything, the amount of food that they eat?
- Do they go in for regular checkups on cholesterol, blood pressure, and others?
- What do their friends and family think of these? Not looking for "judgement" but more along the lines of whether they are supportive or not.
- I assume people watch not only for the food binge (living vicariously?) but, that they also get "hooked" on the stories and personalities of the streamers, right?
And so, so many more questions. I also wonder if there is any shame, regret, embarrassment from mukbangers (?) when employers or colleagues discover their videos.
It's a weird trend. It doesn't surprise me that people make money from it but, I do wonder where the limit (on what people will do for money) is.