Watching Mukbang Content Can Reduce Quiet Feelings? This Is What Experts Say

JAKARTA - The habit of watching mukbang content is not only to increase appetite or spend your time watching mukbang content can actually have a psychological impact, especially related to loneliness and human needs for social connections.

Conceptually, the mukbang comes from two Korean words, namely 'muak-da' (eat) and bang-song (simber). The mukbang content features someone eating in large quantities while talking, talking, reviewing food, and interacting with the audience.

Quoted from Food & Wine, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, a communications expert at Flagler College, Minji Kim, PhD, said that mukbang can create a sense of connection through a shared meal experience, even if it's just through the screen.

The audience feels that by having experience together, it still provides a sense of comfort and togetherness, even if it is limited to the screen.

Watching mukbang is not just about seeing someone eat, but about sharing experiences. For many viewers, it provides a sense of comfort and togetherness," said Minji Kim.

Data from the American Psychiatric Association in 2024 shows that about a third of Americans feel lonely every week. Under these conditions, watching mukbang content is considered to be an effective tool, although it is not the main solution.

The audience is attracted to mukbang content because of its proximity factors, new sensations, sensory series, and virtual togetherness. This combination of sensations and social rituals makes mukbang feel like a small meal party that can be accessed by anyone and anytime.

In addition, mukbang is interesting because it changes eating activities that are usually done directly into digital experiences. This helps bring a virtual eating atmosphere that is very useful especially for people who often eat alone, so that the feeling of loneliness can be reduced.