For Cho Yeo-jeong, 'mukbang' is part of how she manages her weight
Cho Yeo-jeong. Courtesy of Disney+
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For most people, watching “mukbang” — online streaming shows centered on eating excessive amounts of food — stimulates the appetite rather than suppresses it. The notion that such videos could curb cravings is widely seen as counterintuitive.
Yet that unlikely approach has gained attention after actor Cho Yeo-jeong, 44, gained attention for her lean, toned appearance in the Disney+ series "Made in Korea." As viewers revisited her past television appearances, some noted a habit she once described as her way of coping with late-night hunger: watching mukbang instead of eating.
Can exposure to food actually reduce cravings — or does it risk reinforcing unhealthy eating patterns? As the so-called “mukbang diet” draws renewed attention, experts caution that its effects vary widely depending on how and why it is used.
Mukbang doesn’t erase cravings — it redirects them
Cho has said her late-night mukbang viewing is meant to provide a sense of vicarious satisfaction. Rather than attempting to suppress cravings outright, the practice briefly acknowledges the urge — then redirects attention away from eating.
According to this reasoning, watching food offers visual and psychological satisfaction that can momentarily ease hunger, without prompting the viewer into opening the refrigerator or reheating a late-night meal. The approach differs from conventional dieting methods that rely solely on restraint or willpower, instead focusing on managing desire rather than denying it.
Why the approach worked for Cho Yeo-jung
Strict deprivation can backfire, often leading to loss of control later on. For Cho, mukbang functioned as a way to address cravings before eating an actual meal, helping to reduce both appetite and overall intake.
The key, experts say, lies in breaking the cycle of overeating followed by guilt. In Cho’s case, her mindset toward mukbang — combined with a structured daily routine — worked together to support moderation rather than excess.
Mukbang does not suppress appetite for everyone
Specialists caution that mukbang does not produce the same effect for all viewers. Some studies suggest that watching food-related content can increase appetite and overall intake, particularly when viewed while hungry.
Repeated exposure to highly stimulating mukbang videos on an empty stomach may prompt real eating rather than substitute satisfaction. Experts say the method is more likely to help only when basic routines — regular meals, sleep and hydration — are already stable, and when viewers maintain a clear boundary between watching and eating.
When can a 'mukbang diet' be effective?
Cho’s case suggests mukbang works best as a supplementary tool, not a primary strategy. She has previously described adjusting later meals after heavier eating earlier in the day and maintaining habits that help distinguish hunger from fatigue.
Regular hydration and consistent sleep patterns have also been cited as part of her routine. The takeaway: her physique reflects an overall lifestyle approach, not mukbang alone.
Overexposure can backfire
If watching mukbang routinely leads to opening delivery apps, the method is unlikely to help. Unchecked consumption of highly stimulating content can amplify cravings rather than manage them.
What defines Cho’s approach is a clear stopping point: vicarious satisfaction that does not progress to actual eating. Mukbang becomes a management tool only when it ends there.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.