A TikTok star and extreme eater who gained popularity by sharing videos of himself consuming large amounts of food has passed away after experiencing difficulties breathing and standing.
Efecan Kultur, aged 24, had amassed a following of more than 155,000 on TikTok and was renowned for his mukbang content.
Mukbang involves individuals broadcasting themselves eating copious amounts of food online, attracting viewers who enjoy watching others indulge in oversized portions.
Kultur shared videos of himself eating with his followers, while he chatted to them.
What is the mukbang craze?
By Lydia Doye
- Mukbang is a global internet phenomenon where people watch, record and stream themselves scoffing super-sized quantities of food online.
- The trend is thought to have started back in 2009 in South Korea.
- The word combines the Korean words mugneun (eating) and bangsong (broadcast).
- There are now more than 4.9 million mukbang videos on YouTube and 4.1 million on Tiktok.
- The videos have been made even more popular by celebrities including Florence Pugh, Kylie Jenner and Megan Thee Stallion.
- But there is a dark side to the trend.
- At least 2 mukbangers died during challenges last year alone, and even more suffered from health challenges.
- Watching mukbang can also lead to obesity, overeating, and eating disorders.
Kultur was hospitalised in December 2024 due to health problems as a result of his weight.
The 24-year-old could no longer stand up and suffered breathing problems.
He also suffered constant bruising which triggered mobility issues.
Bedridden and unable to breathe without a machine, Kultur was reportedly unable to visit his mum’s grave following her death a year ago.
Kultur was allowed to continue his treatment at home, where he passed away.
His funeral was held at the Celaliye Mosque in Istanbul province.
His body was buried in the Silivri Gumusyaka Cemetery.
Extreme eater, Pan Xiaoting, died last July after her stomach tore while live streaming a 10-hour-long food binge.
Xiaoting was known for broadcasting her marathon eating challenges, often eating for hours at a time.
According to the post-mortem examination, her abdomen was visibly deformed and her stomach was full of undigested food.
This indicated that her stomach could have burst, causing stomach acid and food to leak into her abdomen, the Mail reported at the time.
