Are people who live-stream every meal genuinely interesting, or just desperate for clout?

Not every debate needs to be world-shaking—sometimes it’s about the quirky habits that define online culture. One such question is whether people who live-stream every single meal are genuinely interesting to watch or simply chasing clout. Clout here refers to online influence, recognition, and social capital. The trend of meal live-streaming blends entertainment with intimacy, turning an everyday activity into a public performance that invites viewers into someone’s private routine. The phenomenon can be traced back to mukbang in South Korea, where eating broadcasts became popular in the 2010s, blending social connection with spectacle. From there, platforms like Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube Live adopted the format, expanding it to global audiences. Viewers might tune in for community, curiosity, or even comfort, creating a parasocial interaction where eating together virtually feels like sharing a table. At the same time, the constant broadcasting of meals reflects the attention economy, where likes, comments, and engagement often drive online behavior. Historically, food has always been central to cultural display, from public feasts to televised cooking shows. The difference today is the immediacy and frequency: not special occasions, but breakfast, lunch, and dinner shared live, day after day. The debate—lighthearted as it is—invites reflection on how much of our private lives can be transformed into content, and whether the appeal lies in authenticity.