24-Year-Old Influencer Dies After Overeating During 10-Hour Mukbang Livestream
A tragic incident occurred when 24-year-old Chinese influencer Pan Xiaoting passed away during a 10-hour mukbang livestream from overeating. Pan, who became well-known for broadcasting her food challenges, often engaged her followers by eating for extended periods of time. Her untimely death on July 14 was confirmed by local media outlets, which have since raised concerns about the dangers of participating in the mukbang trend, which shows no signs of slowing down.
Mukbang, a term derived from the Korean words “meokbang” (meaning ‘eating’) and “bangsong” (meaning ‘broadcast’), originated in South Korea in the late 2000s. The trend involves individuals consuming large quantities of food — often in banquet-sized portions — while streaming online. Mukbangers may either prepare the food themselves or order huge amounts of takeout before consuming it live. The loud and messy eating style often incorporates an ASMR element, drawing in more viewers.
The appeal of mukbang is multifaceted. For some, it recreates the social experience of dining with others, while others are drawn to the sheer volume of food being consumed. However, experts now warn of the serious health risks associated with this trend. Pan Xiaoting, who was known for pushing herself to eat for up to 10 hours, previously faced health issues. She had been hospitalized in the past due to gastric bleeding resulting from her overeating habits.
During her final livestream, Xiaoting reportedly consumed 10 kilograms (about 22 pounds) of food, including chocolate, chicken fingers, and seafood. Tragically, her stomach was found to be “severely deformed” and filled with undigested food, suggesting that her stomach may have burst, leaking food and stomach acid into her abdomen. Her cause of death is believed to be the result of overeating.
Following the incident, health experts have issued strong warnings about the potential dangers of mukbang, especially for those who attempt extreme eating challenges. Dr. Gareth Nye, a senior lecturer at Chester Medical School, expressed concern about the impact of such videos on younger generations, noting that overeating can lead to a variety of health problems, such as nausea, vomiting, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. He also highlighted the risk of choking and stomach perforation, which occurs when the stomach wall is damaged.
Psychologist Dr. Andrew Harris, from Nottingham Trent University, also pointed out the negative psychological effects of mukbang videos. He explained that watching such content could exacerbate feelings of loneliness, substituting meaningful real-life social interactions with shallow virtual ones. Additionally, these videos may reinforce unhealthy eating habits among viewers.
In China, mukbang-style binge-eating content has been banned as part of the country’s broader campaign against food waste. However, content creators have continued to bypass this ban by livestreaming their eating challenges.
Pan Xiaoting’s tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous consequences of extreme eating behaviors and the growing concerns surrounding the mukbang trend. It calls for greater awareness and responsibility when it comes to food consumption, both for content creators and viewers alike.
Conclusion
Pan Xiaoting’s tragic death highlights the dangerous consequences of extreme eating behaviors and serves as a cautionary tale for both content creators and viewers of the mukbang trend. While mukbang videos may appear entertaining, they carry significant health risks, particularly when they involve overeating large quantities of food over extended periods. The dangers of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and even life-threatening conditions like stomach perforation are very real, and experts warn that such behaviors should not be glorified or imitated.
Additionally, the psychological effects of watching mukbang videos, including the potential for reinforcing unhealthy eating habits and exacerbating feelings of loneliness, are serious concerns that cannot be overlooked. Xiaoting’s untimely death calls for greater awareness of the risks involved and highlights the need for responsibility in both the creation and consumption of such content.
As the mukbang trend continues to gain popularity, it is crucial that we address these risks and encourage healthier habits, both in online content and in the daily lives of those who engage with it. Ultimately, Xiaoting’s story should serve as a powerful reminder to prioritize health and well-being over online fame or fleeting entertainment.
