"Why Drag in Tzuyang and Hibab Because of Me?"... Demonetized YouTuber Voices Frustration

Stricter YouTube Eating Disorder Guidelines
440,000-Subscriber YouTuber Salppejo Reveals Monetization Suspension
Draws a Line on Involving Major Channels Like Tzuyang and Hibab

As YouTube, the global video platform, has strengthened its guidelines and ad revenue criteria for content related to eating disorders and abnormal eating habits, creators producing mukbang and diet content are facing growing concerns. There have been cases where monetization has been suspended or existing videos have been deleted, especially when the content features provocative overeating or extreme weight loss. Amid this trend, it was revealed that revenue generation on the channel of Salppejo, a creator with 440,000 subscribers, had been suspended, prompting speculation that even major mukbang YouTubers such as Tzuyang and Hibab could be affected.

Mukbang YouTuber Salppejo. Screenshot from Salppejo's Instagram

On September 18, mukbang YouTuber Salppejo announced via his YouTube channel's community feature, "Currently, monetization on my channel has been completely suspended," adding, "YouTube is strictly enforcing its guidelines on binge eating and eating disorders, and is imposing strong regulations on channels that have uploaded related videos." He further explained that, uncertain about which videos would be targeted, he has even stopped uploading new content while trying to find a solution with his agency.

On September 24, Salppejo released a YouTube Shorts video titled "Mukbang YouTuber Who Lost His Job in a Day," detailing the situation. He began by saying, "When you hear in the news that mukbang YouTubers are losing their revenue these days, that's me they're talking about," and added, "I've become unemployed and I'm telling everyone about it." He explained the circumstances of the restrictions by saying, "The frequent diet and binge eating videos I posted mainly four or five years ago have been deleted one by one over the past few months without warning, and I was ultimately notified of suspended monetization."

Salppejo commented, "To lift the restrictions, I would have to delete all problematic past videos and wait 90 days before requesting a review," but he confessed, "Since these videos hold memories for me, I don't have the courage to delete them. For now, I plan to continue my activities focusing on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts." He also added, "If you're asking how I feel, I guess it's time for me to let go," expressing his regrets.

"Why Tzuyang and Hibab?"... Simple Overeating Is Not a Target for Sanctions

In particular, Salppejo drew a clear line regarding the situation where the names of major big-eater creators such as Tzuyang and Hibab are being mentioned alongside his own. He lamented, "It's my revenue that was cut off, so I don't understand why people are bringing Tzuyang and Hibab into it."

According to Salppejo, the real core of YouTube's sanctions is not "simply overeating," but "the possibility of promoting or encouraging eating disorders." He clarified, "You are not subject to sanctions just for eating a lot or enjoying food," but "the main targets are elements that lead viewers to dangerous abnormal eating habits, such as displaying overly thin bodies, mentioning or encouraging binge eating, or promoting vomiting or laxative abuse." Therefore, he emphasized that large channels that focus on regular mukbang content do not need to be excessively concerned.

YouTube Tightens Regulations... Is Change Coming to Mukbang Content?

In fact, YouTube has moved away from only restricting content that outright glorified or praised eating disorders, drastically expanding its scope to cover all dangerous behaviors that viewers — including minors — might be tempted to copy. The platform is now enforcing strict penalties such as demonetization when dangerous elements such as binge eating, food hoarding, vomiting, or substance abuse are detected through its monitoring system, which is linked to community guidelines.

This tougher approach from the platform is leading to a shift in the overall atmosphere in the mukbang industry. Even channels not directly affected are beginning to self-censor their content as the ethical standards for content on global platforms are raised.

Mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang said that "eating less" is the trend in a video released on the 21st. Screenshot from Tzuyang's YouTube channel video

A leading example is Tzuyang, a representative mukbang YouTuber with more than 13.5 million subscribers. In a recently released video filmed at Sinpo Market in Incheon, Tzuyang commented while selecting snacks, "Let's not overdo it. Eating a lot is no longer the trend these days," adding, "From now on, I plan to be a YouTuber who eats in moderation," which has drawn attention.

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