If you surf Korean websites frequently, you must get tired of seeing a word, ‘Meok-Bang.’ This word is a short form for ‘Meok-neun-bang-song.’ It is a broadcast of people eating something really deliciously, stimulating viewers’ appetite. Various types of Meok-Bang broadcasts are present in Korea. The type that I want to focus here is the Internet broadcast, where a BJ, Broadcasting Jockey, gorges himself or herself on large portions of food in one sitting in front of camera. This is available on individual broadcasting system on the Internet which means you can watch it only via the Internet, not on TV. In spite of this quite limited access, the broadcasts have gained more and more popularity and it is already became a hit in Korea. Some viewers even volunteered to give money to their BJ in the cyber payment form of ‘balloon.’ Some BJs live off of the amount of money they make from Meok-Bang Why does this binge eating catch so many viewers in Korea?

First of all, it represents a changing culture in Korea where many people have to eat meals alone, and they become viewers tuning into the individual broadcast. Eating a big meal with the family or friends is the Korean tradition. However people are too busy and too occupied individually to do so today. Plus many people live alone these days. One person household has now compromised one third of the population today. Dining with other family members happen only on special occasions. So, on normal days, what people opt to do is to watch Meok-Bang via mobile while eating, listening and nodding at BJ’s chat. By doing so, they feel like they are eating with BJ, and they are not alone at all.

Secondly, eating something delicious in Meok-Bang also attracts Koreans. Food is everywhere today. But ironically, people can’t enjoy it because they are familiar with the taste already. If they have to eat common and ordinary food alone, it would be worse. They really cannot eat it ‘deliciously.’  In this decreased-appetite society of Korea, enjoying meals became another virtue that people want to have, and see in others. And it is BJ in Meok-Bang who shows this ‘virtue’. BJ stuffs oneself with a big meal. It’s another visual satisfaction of eating. Some BJs are trying totally new or something very odd to attract more viewers who are eager to taste something different.

Stress coming from trying to lose weight and fear of obesity are another factor for its high popularity. They want to eat, eat and eat. But in doing so, they might gain weight and become obese. This fear makes people reluctant to eat the full amount of food they want. Instead, they choose visual satisfaction. By watching Meok-Bang, they feel as if they’re eating like BJ on the screen. Furthermore, just watching could release positive hormone that relieves one’s stress. Therefore, many viewers become addicted to it. 

Meok-Bang became a new trend and quite hot in Korea. BJs in the broadcast introduce viewers various kinds of food and devour them. It looks funny and sometimes it makes us laugh. However, facts behind this phenomenon reflect a sad reality of our society, from being alone for meals to heavy stress of diet. These factors mentioned above are based on my own experiences in watching it for several months. Others may have their own reasons and stories. Rather than just laughing out at BJs’ binge eating, why don’t you ponder the reasons you or people around you are addicted to the broadcast. It might be that they actually miss people, rather than BJ who keeps talking to them on the screen.