Credit: Efecan Kultur
‘Mukbang’ TikTok Star Has Died Aged 24
‘Mukbang’ TikTok personality Efecan Kultur has died aged 24.
The content creator, who hailed from Turkey, gained popularity on the social media platform through ‘mukbang’ videos, in which he consumed excessive amounts of food for entertainment.
His account amassed more than 150,000 followers, showcasing his indulgence in Turkish cuisine.
Kultur’s death has reignited concerns over an extreme online eating trend that has been linked to several fatalities.
Mukbang, a phenomenon that originated in South Korea in the 2010s, involves content creators eating large portions of food while interacting with viewers, per Qustodio.
The trend has turned some influencers into social media sensations, with many earning a living from sponsorships and ad revenue.
Among the most prominent mukbang figures are South Korean creator Dona, who has amassed 21 billion views, and Ukrainian-American influencer Nikocado Avocado, with around 10 billion views across TikTok and YouTube.
Criticism has been directed at mukbang content for encouraging food waste and promoting unhealthy eating habits.
China has since banned such content, with President Xi Jinping condemning it as a ‘distressing’ display of wastefulness.
A study published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction in 2021 found a correlation between excessive mukbang viewing and disordered eating behaviors.
Research conducted on South Korean students revealed that nearly a third of regular mukbang viewers reported self-diagnosed tendencies toward junk food overconsumption.
Nikocado Avocado, born Nicholas Perry, has openly addressed the health consequences of his involvement in the mukbang trend.
He has spoken about suffering from mobility issues, sleep disorders, and digestive problems as a result of extreme eating.
In September, he shared a video revealing that he had lost 110 kilograms since his peak weight, later undergoing multiple surgeries to remove excess skin.
Some mukbangers have faced accusations of misleading their audiences by spitting out food off-camera to create an illusion of excessive consumption.
However, others in the community have taken measures to raise awareness of the risks involved in extreme eating challenges.
Indian mukbanger Ashifa ASMR, who has over 720,000 YouTube subscribers, began incorporating disclaimers in her videos in 2023 to clarify that her content is filmed in multiple sittings to prevent health risks.
Kultur’s health deteriorated in December when he was hospitalized due to obesity-related issues, per Metro.
He reportedly became unable to stand and experienced breathing difficulties, as well as recurring bruising. Eventually, he was left bedridden and dependent on a breathing machine.
According to local news outlet Turkiye Today, he passed away on March 7.
His death follows other tragedies linked to the mukbang trend.
Last July, 24-year-old Chinese influencer Pan Xiaoting died after her stomach ruptured during a live-streamed challenge in which she attempted to eat 10 kilograms of food over ten hours.
In June, Filipino mukbang content creator Dongz Apatan, who had half a million followers on Facebook, suffered a fatal stroke after consuming large amounts of fried chicken for a challenge.
He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest the following day.
Apatan’s sister later stated that he did not usually finish all the food he presented in his videos, suggesting that his content was not entirely reflective of his real diet.
A local heart specialist attributed his death to excessive consumption of salty food.
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