Social media has gotten people crazy about taking pictures before eating the food they ordered or the food they cooked and upload it in social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook. However, according to Gulf News, this kind of act is already a passé in South Korea. In fact, they log in to a platform to watch people eat.
Muk-bang is a Korean term combining the 2 terms which are eating (Muk-Ja) and broadcast (Bang-Song). This has become a social phenomenon in the last couple of years. The people starring in these programs are celebrities in their own right. The people here usually sit in front of their computers and web cam at any time of the day, for some multiple times a day and work their way through a wide selection of food while they are interacting with their fans. They have gained thousands of fans who tune in using their laptops, of phones. This is what they consider gastronomic voyeurism and the ultimate food selfie.
The Diva or Park Seo Yeon in real life is one of the most famous among other broadcast eaters. She has already filmed about 12,000 hours of herself while munching on noodles, fried meats and dumplings. She got an estimated $9000 which is a months' revenue from all the sponsors.
The fans of the broadcast are simply watching these food porn stars eat so much of the food they have chosen. However, some people said that this program suggest an important social role. Eating together with the family is a very important part of South Korean culture, but because there are more and more people living alone, this part if their culture is fading. The broadcast is not a way to show people to eat alone, even if it shows like that on screen.
