Eating Show: From Quantity to Quality
What Makes A Show Successful?
What Makes A Show Successful?
Mukbang is a popular online trend originating from South Korea that involves live-streaming or recording videos of individuals eating food while interacting with their audience.
The term "mukbang" is a combination of two Korean words: "mukja" (eating) and "bangsong" (broadcast).
The history of mukbang can be traced back to around 2010 when population eating alone in Korea arose as a form of entertainment and social interaction. Eating with a companion is important in Korea, and it can be considered embarassing to eat alone in public space.
"When I was bullied at school... for a while I didn't eat lunch at school because I had no one to eat with," said Jiahn, a Korean actress.
Over time, mukbang evolved into a global phenomenon, with content creators across various social media platforms producing mukbang videos. These videos feature individuals consuming enormous portions of food, often including popular or unique dishes, while engaging with viewers through live chat or commentary.
Mukbang has also expanded beyond its original purpose of providing companionship during meals to become a form of entertainment, with some creators specializing in creating ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) content by focusing on eating sounds.
While mukbang videos vary in content and style, there are several key elements that contribute to the success of these videos:
A Seoul National University research analyzed 5,952 mukbang videos on YouTube and the relationship between the type of content and their views.
Spicy and irritating food tend to attract more views.
Seafood and less affordable foods are also popular as they bring vicarious satisfaction.
Eating quickly within a time limit is also a key factor in highest viewed videos.
Before the rise of YouTube and live streaming platforms, the concept of showcasing individuals eating large quantities of food was already popular in the form of television shows featuring big eater competitions.
Big eater competitions on TV were characterized by a strong emphasis on the amount of food consumed and often included a competitive or challenge element. The focus was on showcasing extraordinary eating abilities and endurance, with winners celebrated for their capacity to consume staggering amounts of food.
While big eater competitions emphasized the challenge of consuming vast quantities of food, mukbang videos have shifted towards a more nuanced approach to food consumption and presentation. Rather than solely focusing on the sheer amount of food eaten, mukbang content creators often prioritize food variety, aesthetics, and the overall dining experience.
The secret behind big eaters or "big stomach kings" often lies in their unique physiological characteristics and adaptations that enable them to consume large quantities of food.
The production team of the most popular Japanese eating show, 元祖!大食い王, decided to scan the body of a past champion of their eating contest. She was a skinny girl who weighed less than 100 lbs.
The results showed that the champion's stomach was about twice as large as an average woman's.
After consuming 120 pieces of sushi, 5 puddings and 5 side dishes, her body was scanned again. Her stomach was became 15 times larger than before.
Big eaters' stomachs are built different physiologically. If you think about it, it is actually insane for someone to consume food weighed as much as 1/4 of their body weight.
The smooth muscle of human stomachs are extremely elastic and is the main reason why our stomachs can be flexible.
Many big eaters' stomach can expand to 15-20 times the original size.
Skinnier eaters experience a gastroptosis-like change when they eat massively as their stomach muscles can't hold food up like normal stomachs do.
Big eaters who don't gain significant weight despite consuming large quantities of food often benefit from unique physiological adaptations that contribute to calorie burning and food processing efficiency.
Big eaters with higher levels of brown fat can effectively convert excess calories into energy rather than storing them as fat. This metabolic advantage allows them to offset the calorie intake from large meals, helping to maintain a more stable body weight.
The champions' body temperatures were taken while they ate. Their body temperatures increased 1.5 to 3 degrees celcius just within minutes after they started eating.
Additionally, while an enlarged stomach can accommodate larger meal sizes, it may also lead to inefficient digestion. Food may spend less time in the stomach and undergo incomplete breakdown before reaching the intestines.
This rapid transit time and incomplete digestion can reduce the amount of calories absorbed from food, potentially contributing to weight maintenance despite consuming excessive amounts.
While big eater TV shows focused on extreme eating challenges and competitive feats, mukbang videos have evolved into a multifaceted genre that celebrates food culture, culinary diversity, and social interaction -- We don't really see mukbang video counting plates and servings in the show anymore. The shift from quantity to quality in food representation reflects changing preferences in entertainment consumption, with mukbang offering a unique blend of gastronomy, community engagement, and digital entertainment.