Efecan Kultur, the young Turkish TikToker whose name once echoed across social media platforms, tragically passed away at the tender age of 24 on March 7, 2025. His life, once brimming with viral success, was claimed by the very habits which had brought him fame—obesity-related health complications. With over 156,000 followers on TikTok and 12,000 on Instagram, Efecan had become one of Turkey’s most beloved mukbang personalities.
The phenomenon known as mukbang, which originated in South Korea, has quickly spread worldwide, gaining both fascination and concern. This trend typically involves individuals consuming enormous quantities of food on camera, all for the entertainment of followers. While it has gained popularity among content creators, it has also raised uncomfortable questions about obesity, excess, and the mindless waste of food.
Efecan’s streams, where he indulged in vast feasts, captivated audiences but also led to his demise. He showcased traditional Turkish cuisine to his dedicated followers, and as he grew in fame, so too did his size and the health issues caused by extreme eating behavior. He had been hospitalized as recently as December 2024 due to obesity-related complications, which included breathing problems and frequent bruising. At the time of his death, he was bedridden and unable to breathe without the aid of a machine.
Remarkably, his last TikTok video appeared just months before his death, showing him grappling with health issues brought on by years of binge eating. His narrative serves as both poignant and haunting, encapsulating how fame can sometimes pave the way for destruction. His passing ignites significant conversations around the mukbang phenomenon and the potential dangers associated with extreme eating challenges.
Evidently, Efecan is not the first to die under similar circumstances. The series of tragedies linked to mukbang content raises alarms about the trend’s viability and safety. Just last year, on July 2024, another influencer, the 24-year-old Chinese personality Pan Xiaoting, died after her stomach tore during a live-streamed challenge to consume 10 kg of food over ten hours. A month before Pan's passing, Filipino content creator Dongz Apatan, aged 38, suffered cardiac arrest after attempting to eat large amounts of fried chicken on camera. This left him dead from stroke attributed to blood clots.
The dangerous allure of mukbang content and its far-reaching consequences have not gone unnoticed. Its vivid portrayal of gluttony has garnered criticism for glamorizing food waste and promoting unhealthy lifestyles. China's government has stepped up regulations, with mukbang videos being banned entirely due to their perceived link to distressing levels of food waste. Xi Jinping himself branded the trend as unacceptable, reflecting growing international apprehension toward the potential health hazards posed by excessive consumption.
Compounding these worries, research published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction found troubling correlations between watching mukbang-style content and eating disorders. Not only do these videos promote excessive junk food intake, but they also introduce viewers—particularly vulnerable individuals—to unhealthy eating patterns.
Among the influencers who have publicly addressed similar challenges is Nikocado Avocado, whose real name is Nicholas Perry. He has candidly revealed the personal toll mukbang has taken on his health, sharing stories of frequent diarrhea, erectile dysfunction, and mobility issues linked to his binge-eaten lifestyle. After shedding 110 kg, he had to undergo multiple surgeries to remove nearly 5 kg of excess skin. His experience emphasizes the dark side of mukbang fame, serving as a tried-and-true example of what can happen when the pursuit of virality collides with personal well-being.
Efforts to warn successors of Efecan's fate are already underway. Ashifa ASMR, India’s leading mukbang creator with around 720,000 subscribers on YouTube, has implemented disclaimers seeking to educate her audience about the importance of maintaining health when producing mukbang content. She has started informing her viewers since 2023, stating she films her videos across multiple sittings to avoid harmful health complications.
Efecan Kultur's story stands as both tragic and cautionary. The quest for fame through mukbang has revealed its darker side—particularly for those eager to seize the limelight at any cost. His story illuminates how the path to viral success, often paved with gluttonous indulgence and waste, can become perilous. Many individuals who once found joy and purpose through their platforms now confront serious health issues or even death at suspiciously young ages.
The tragic end of Efecan Kultur forces society to reflect on the value of fame, recognition, and accomplishment versus the costs they impose. Mukbang, once perceived as innocent entertainment, necessitates scrutiny as its followers and creators navigate the razor-thin line between excess and calamity.
