Ninja responds to Jeffree Star’s invite for a ‘mukbang’ session
It’s not often that YouTube’s gaming and beauty communities coincide – but a collaboration between two of each scene’s biggest stars could take place in the near future, thanks to Fortnite Battle Royale player Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins to tag him in her response to the post.
Ninja then gave Star his own, personal recommendation for the restaurant – which may have begat one of YouTube’s biggest collaborations to date.
Hi @Ninja is this you? https://t.co/YoHqQS8Sik
— Jessica Blevins (@JessicaBlevins) May 16, 2019
Jeffree Tweeted at Ninja in response to his recommendation, asking him to come over for a Taco Bell ‘mukbang’ collaborative video, which Ninja enthusiastically agreed to.
Now, fans are awaiting their upcoming collab, thanks to the YouTubers’ odd bond over fast food – but their exchange might have some viewers wondering, “What is ‘mukbang,’ exactly?”
Yes please!
— Ninja (@Ninja) May 16, 2019
What is ‘mukbang?’
‘Mukbang’ is a Korean term for a certain type of online broadcast or video content, in which hosts eat a large amount of food while talking to fellow hosts or engaging with their audience.
A blend of the Korean words for ‘eating’ and ‘broadcast,’ ‘mukbang’ has grown increasingly popular over the years – but some major internet stars aren’t a fan of the genre, including YouTube king Felix ‘PewDiePie’ Kjellberg.
Mukbang is a Korean trend that has since spread to the Western world, where video hosts eat a large amount of food while interacting with their audience.PewDiePie admitted that he couldn’t stand hearing YouTubers smack or slurp as they ate on camera, and couldn’t understand why fans saw the appeal in watching hosts stuff their faces – even speculating that the ‘mukbang’ fad could be a sexual kink for some viewers.
“It’s like ASMR, but it’s fucking repulsive,” Pewds said of the trend in a December video. “…it’s kind of like watching a train wreck. I don’t like it, but I’m still gonna watch it.”
However, this wouldn’t be Jeffree Star’s first foray into YouTube’s foodie genre; the beauty guru uploaded a video with longtime boyfriend Nate Schwandt on May 14, where the two ate whatever the person in front of them decided to order for the couple at an In-N-Out drive-thru line.
No further information has yet been released as to Star’s collaboration with Ninja, but considering their overwhelming popularity across the internet, it’s a safe bet that this could be a major win for both personalities.