Chinese influencer, 24, dies from overeating during live Mukbang session

An event unfolded in the Chinese social media sphere as a 24-year-old influencer, Pan Xiaoting, died while livestreaming a Mukbang session. Mukbang, a popular trend originating from South Korea, involves hosts consuming large quantities of food in front of a live audience. Pan Xiaoting, who had amassed a significant following, succumbed to the extreme demands of this trend on July 14.

Xiaoting initially worked as a waitress and began livestreaming as a side hustle to supplement her income. As her popularity grew, she decided to leave her job and pursue streaming full-time. This career shift brought her substantial income and numerous gifts from her fans, but also posed significant health risks.

Despite her family's concerns about the impact of her profession on her health, Xiaoting continued to push herself to extreme limits. She rented a separate studio for her streaming sessions, ensuring a more professional setup. Her dedication, however, came at a severe cost. She often consumed up to 10 kg of food in a single session and spent up to 10 hours a day eating. Her extreme eating habits led to multiple hospitalisations, including one due to gastric bleeding.

The incident occurred during a livestream on July 14. Although the official cause of death was not disclosed, reports indicate that her stomach was filled with undigested food, and the lower part was deformed. This was revealed by an autopsy, which confirmed the severe damage caused by her excessive eating.