Chinese mukbang influencer Yingying, whose real name was Chen Ziyi, has passed away at the age of 24.
The unexpected demise of the well-known eating-content creator, who had amassed over 1.23 million followers during her lifetime, has triggered an outpouring of sorrow among Chinese netizens.
As reported by Chinese media outlets including Sohu on September 8 local time, Yingying’s parents announced their daughter’s passing online on September 4. The obituary indicated that Yingying was born on March 24, 2002, and passed away on August 17, 2026. The exact cause of her death was not specified.
Just three days before her passing, on August 14, Yingying had uploaded a video. At that time, she was hospitalized and had explained the reason for the reduced frequency of her livestreams and video posts. She mentioned, “After consuming excessive amounts, my potassium levels dropped, leading to my hospitalization.”
In the video, Yingying disclosed that her blood potassium level had plummeted to 2.3 mmol/L and was 2.5 mmol/L upon arrival at the ER. Following potassium supplementation in the hospital, her level rose to 3.3 mmol/L. Local medical professionals suggested that she undergo genetic testing at a prominent hospital in Beijing or Shanghai to identify the cause of her recurring low potassium incidents.
Yingying also acknowledged the link between her health issues and her mukbang endeavors. Describing the profession, she remarked, “It may seem glamorous externally, but behind the scenes, one must stay up all night and keep eating.” She confessed that her body had been signaling warning signs. “While earning money is crucial, prioritizing your health is paramount,” she emphasized, advising her followers to rest adequately and take care of themselves.
The extent of the eating challenges Yingying undertook was also revealed. In videos filmed while she was alive, she mentioned the constant need to eat while hosting livestreams to endorse products. During a previous live session promoting century eggs, she shared that she had consumed 60 to 70 eggs in one sitting. It was reported that she was also required to eat substantial quantities of food while promoting other items.
Although the exact official cause of Yingying’s demise has not been disclosed publicly, Chinese media sources, citing insider information, have mentioned her frequent encounters with low potassium levels. They have suggested that extended hypokalemia may have played a role in causing cardiac arrest, though this has not been confirmed officially.
The news of Yingying’s passing surfaced just three days after her final video was posted, eliciting an outpouring of sympathy from Chinese netizens. The fact that she had expressed worries about her health and emphasized that “the body is the most important thing” in her last video has heightened concerns about the physical toll that mukbang content can have on creators.
Sources: Daum