Feasting For Fame
By Amie Ahn and Shiny Xu Nov. 13, 2024
Nicholas Perry, an internet personality and enduring mukbang icon known as Nikocado Avocado, shocked the internet on Sept. 6 with his 250 pound weight loss that was revealed in a video titled “Two Steps Ahead,” totalling over 40 million views.
Prior to his fame, Nikocado began as a vegan vlogger, but in his pursuit of popularity, he began to mukbang—the Korean word for “eating show”—often involving excessive consumption of hypercaloric and processed foods. Health issues run rampant among mukbang creators, and Nikocado was no exception: his lifestyle led him to develop obesity and mental illness. However, after years of struggling with obesity, many saw his recent transition as a hopeful step of redirection away from binge eating, weight gain and other concerns common within mukbang culture.
“Nikocado Avocado’s extreme weight loss was very unexpected. After knowing him for so long as a chronic binge eater, seeing his drastic level of self improvement as a result of intense dedication was surprisingly moving. Other creators should take inspiration from Nikocado,” Sophomore Mahika Shirshyad said.
However, not all Mukbangers were able to backtrack on the weight they gain in their job. Pan Xiaoting, a Chinese mukbang creator known for participating in large-portioned eating challenges, was hospitalized numerous times. She weighed over 300 pounds before dying of overeating during a livestream, per the Times of India.
Additionally, TikTok creator Jelly Bean Sweets earned the title of the “new Nikocado Avocado” upon her rapid weight gain shortly after her transition to mukbang content, consuming mainly fast food. She started off posting dance livestreams before transitioning to mukbang videos and subsequently going viral. As she posted more videos, viewers began noticing her weight gain and became concerned for her health.
Many viewers express their concerns on the unhealthily rapid weight gain and loss mukbang creators experience by leaving comments under videos, creating online fan community forums and even sending donations to their creators. However, this only brings more attention towards their content and it reassures them with fame, encouraging them to continue their eating habits. In Nikocado’s weight loss video, he shared how worried comments can often be perceived as empty and detached by creators, rather than taking their concerns to heart.
As for viewers, watching mukbangs may be a captivating pastime, reducing feelings of loneliness and alienation, creating a sense of communal eating. A 2023 study published in the Journal of the Korean Psychological Association surveyed 462 adults and found the main motivations for watching mukbang content to be derived from a desire for mental stability, entertainment and social relations. Though seemingly harmless, excessive viewing as compensation for social interaction may turn addictive and problematic for mental health, as per a paper published by Nottingham Trent University.
As it becomes more normalized for creators to constantly consume large quantities of food, those who have binge eating disorders may be influenced. Viewers may start to see the portions in mukbangs as an acceptable amount of food to consume, which may enable their habits, as stated by eating disorder specialist and dietician Shelby Becker.
“Watching mukbang worsens my eating habits. Instead, I opt to watch cooking videos that include recipes with whole foods. Although, transitioning to eating healthier foods could unfortunately reduce views for mukbangers, it is a sacrifice they should consider to maintain a healthier lifestyle,” Sophomore Dylan Go said.
Ultimately, mukbang content remains an extremely popular genre on the internet despite its negative effects for creators and viewers alike. Despite the often hateful attention the genre often attracts, it only serves to increase the tempting rewards for creators. After all, all press is good press.
About the Contributors
Amie Ahn
staff writer
Amie Ahn is a sophomore at Leland High School and a writer for the Charger Account. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, hanging out with friends and eating.
Shiny Xu
staff writer
Shiny Xu is a Junior at Leland High School and a Staff Writer. This is her first year in journalism. She likes theater, reading and hanging out with her friends.
No photo available Yunseo Kim
artist
Yunseo Kim is an artist. She enjoys trying out new art and this is her second year in journalism. Outside of school, she likes to do Taekwondo, and experiment with cooking.
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