Chinese Mukbang Creator Dies at 24 Amid Health Crisis Concerns

Chen Ziyi, who operated under the online alias Ganfan Yingying, passed away on August 17, 2026, according to confirmation from her parents. The 24-year-old had amassed approximately 1.2 million followers on social media platforms, where she created mukbang content—videos featuring individuals consuming large quantities of food.

Days before her death, Chen disclosed that her potassium levels had dropped critically to 2.3 mmol/L, a concerning medical indicator. She had previously discussed purging practices following her extreme eating sessions, raising alarms among health experts and viewers about the potential dangers associated with such behaviours.

While her parents confirmed her death, they did not publicly disclose an official cause of death. The incident has sparked renewed debate across social media and public health circles regarding the wellbeing of content creators in the mukbang space, where the consumption of massive food quantities is documented for online audiences.

Mukbang, which originated in South Korea, has grown into a widespread online phenomenon, with creators earning revenue through viewer donations and advertising. However, medical professionals have increasingly warned about the health risks posed by the extreme eating practices often featured in such content, including severe nutritional imbalances and organ damage.