Son Ye Jin shared a video of herself enjoying a cheese stick with the caption, “Finally got to eat it… It’s delicious.” In the footage, she leisurely savors the food, pulling a long strand of melted cheese. Her relaxed demeanor shows a different side of the actress, contrasting with her usual on-screen image.
The unexpected mukbang video from Son Ye Jin, known as the “Nation’s First Love,” quickly went viral and generated diverse reactions. Many viewers found her casual approach to food endearing and relatable, especially compared to her usual elegant persona as an actress.
However, among the praise for being “cute” and “down-to-earth,” some viewers began critiquing Son Ye Jin’s table manners. Specifically, they felt that the smacking sounds during her meal were excessive and unpleasant. This led to a broader discussion about dining etiquette, with more focus on the sounds rather than her eating habits.
The controversy escalated further when reports surfaced that Japanese netizens were using Son Ye Jin’s mukbang to make broader comments about Korean dining culture.
One Japanese netizen reportedly shared Son Ye Jin’s video, commenting, “So even women eat while making smacking noises.” This sparked a debate with comments like, “China and Korea are known for noisy eating,” and “It’s accepted to make smacking sounds while eating in their culture.” The discussion shifted towards Korean dining norms.
Some Korean netizens criticized Son Ye Jin’s eating manners in response, leaving comments like, “Now Koreans are being ridiculed,” “Please chew with your mouth closed,” and “It’s not a pleasant sight.”
On the other hand, some defended the actress, suggesting that the sound of eating might have been amplified due to the recording. They also questioned whether a simple mukbang clip warranted such intense focus on table etiquette, leading to divided opinions online.
In other news, Son Ye Jin starred in the Netflix original series “The Scandal,” which premiered on September 18.
Sources: Daum