A short Wingstop mukbang comes across your “For You Page” on TikTok, featuring seven-piece hot honey tenders, well-done fries with extra seasoning, Cajun fried corn with extra seasoning, a large Coke and, of course, the obligatory huge cup of Wingstop ranch. Or maybe you’re scrolling on YouTube and come across someone slurping 18 packs of the infamously spicy Buldak ramen with Kraft Singles American cheese melted on top.

Whether short-form or long-form videos, you’re bound to have come across mukbangs on your screen. Mukbangs are a form of entertainment focused on someone eating, usually a large amount of food, in front of the camera. They rose to popularity in the 2010s and have been on the rise since. The term “mukbang” originates from South Korea and roughly translates to “eating show.” Because of its origin in South Korea, most mukbangers and newer types of mukbangs start from South Korean creators, but as its popularity continues to rise, more Western creators are posting mukbangs as well.

There are many types of mukbangs such as family mukbangs, animation mukbangs (which I highly recommend), ASMR mukbangs, storytime mukbangs and many more. Mukbangs can provide comfort for viewers, as some find it satisfying. For others, eating with the mukbangers makes them feel less lonely.

With the influx of mukbangs, there are negative effects. I think certain mukbangs can be dangerous. Seeing someone stuff their mouths with 10 packs of instant ramen, 20 eggs and then 15 burgers promotes binge eating and misrepresents reality. Most of the mukbangers aren’t actually eating that much food; instead, they edit out the parts where they have a bowl in their lap to spit the food out.