mukbang

A mukbang ( , ; ; ; ) is an online broadcast in which a host consumes food (from popular fast-food restaurants or home-prepared dishes) while interacting with the audience or providing commentary. The genre became popular in South Korea in the early 2010s, and has become a global trend since the mid-2010s. Varieties of foods ranging from pizza to noodles are consumed in front of a camera. The purpose of mukbang is also sometimes educational, introducing viewers to regional specialties or gourmet spots.

A mukbang may be either prerecorded or streamed live through a webcast on multiple streaming platforms such as Soop (formerly AfreecaTV), YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch. In live sessions, the mukbang host chats with audiences, who type in real time in the live chat room. Eating shows are expanding their influence on internet broadcasting platforms and serve as virtual communities and as venues for active communication among internet users.