Tzuyang Says "Will Eat in Moderation from Now On"... Reviewing the YouTube Guidelines

Tzuyang Says, "Eating a Lot Is No Longer the Trend" on Broadcast

YouTube Tightens Regulations on Eating Disorders and Binge Eating

Tzuyang, a popular mukbang YouTuber in Korea, has drawn attention from online users after expressing during a broadcast her intention to “eat in moderation” moving forward. This comes amid reports that YouTube has tightened regulations on content that could negatively impact eating habits, such as by encouraging eating disorders or binge eating.

In the YouTube video “I Couldn't Finish All of Incheon Sinpo Market” released on the 21st, Tzuyang was seen choosing items from a snack shop menu and said, “Let’s order moderately,” adding, “These days, eating a lot is no longer the trend.” She continued, “From now on, I'll become a YouTuber who eats in moderation.” Nonetheless, in this episode, she still ordered and enjoyed a variety of foods including sweet and sour chicken, tteokbokki, fried snacks, hot bar, and buckwheat noodles, delivering her usual hearty mukbang content.

Mukbang YouTuber Juyoung. Screenshot from YouTube broadcast

Previously, some YouTubers were reported to have had their channels demonetized for violating YouTube’s guidelines related to eating disorders and binge eating. According to Yonhap News Agency, the diet channel “Salpaejo,” which has around 440,000 subscribers, had its monetization suspended as YouTube strengthened its guidelines on eating disorders. To avoid further sanctions, the channel temporarily stopped uploading videos.

Miso, a creator with about 100,000 subscribers, also reported on the 15th that she had deleted 339 videos from her four-year archive. She explained that after being notified of a violation in mid-March and receiving a notice of demonetization at the end of the month, she appealed to YouTube for a month with the help of her manager and through official channels, but the decision was not overturned.

YouTube defines content that could negatively influence viewers' eating habits through its video production guidelines. Under the section on “contentious issues (eating disorders),” violations include the following: ▲ disclosure of minimum BMI or weight ▲ depiction of excessively thin or emaciated bodies ▲ repeated checks of weight loss numbers ▲ depiction or mention of binge eating or food hoarding/storage ▲ promotion of extreme calorie deficit exercises.

Reactions among netizens are divided. Some agree with the change, noting, “At some point, mukbang turned into a contest to eat as much as possible,” and “Younger viewers can’t help but be negatively influenced.” On the other hand, there are also critical voices saying, “It’s just a personal broadcast, but the interference is too severe,” and “The standards for demonetization are far too vague.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.