Korean celebs Tzuyang, Kim Ji-young hit for mocking Filipinos in mukbang vlog

(From left) Kim Ji-young and Tzuyang. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Tzuyang

South Korean vlogger Tzuyang and comedian Kim Ji-young came under fire after they were accused of mocking Filipinos’ accents and their ways of living in a mukbang vlog.

Mukbang, from the Korean word “meokbang,” is defined as a video featuring a person eating a large amount of food, aimed at enticing the audience to try out the experience.

In a now-deleted video uploaded on Jan. 28, Tzuyang and Kim Ji-young — under the character of Ni Tong — was described as a Filipino who flew to South Korea to marry a Korean man. The video has since been re-uploaded by netizens on social media.

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“Hello, my name is Ni Tong and I have a beautiful smile. Originally, I was a farmer’s wife but now I’m a comedian,” Kim said, while purposely speaking in broken Korean.

The comedian, who remained in character, also shared that she came to Korea after “fantasizing about Korean men after watching K-dramas.” This led to an amused Tzuyang asking Kim how the latter was able to “mimic a Filipino accent” so well.

Tzuyang and Kim drew backlash from netizens on social media, with some pointing out that the video was a “disrespectful way of Pinoy-baiting.” Others said the vlog is a form of “stereotyping” Filipinos.

“This is such a very disrespectful way of Pinoy-baiting. Apparently, the woman is not a real Filipino, not even a quarter! She is a comedian mimicking the Filipino stereotype in speaking. Tzuyang should be called out for this cuz this is not okay,” one @ianosphere_ said on X (formerly Twitter).

This is such a very disrespectful way of pinoy-baiting. Apparently, the woman is not a real Filipino; not even a quarter! She is a comedian mimicking the filipino stereotype in speaking. Tzuyang should be called-out for this cuz this is not okay!!! pic.twitter.com/Ckn3V2jtaN

— ian (@ianosphere_) February 2, 2024

Another @seoppest expressed their disappointment toward the vlogger and comedian for being “racist.”

This racist Korean comedian is mocking Filipinos for her skits by stereotyping Filipinos while doing “Filipino accent” (also mentioned on the video) Tzuyang even laughed and ask how she does the Filipino accent. Been supporting Tzuyang for years. Really disappointing! pic.twitter.com/m7eJIja2Fs

— 𝗆𝖺𝗍𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗐 (@seoppest) February 3, 2024

X user @chaesolfans said Koreans “looking down on Filipinos” is “not surprising.”

the tzuyang situation is disappointing but not surprising. a korean looking down on filipinos? yeah, not surprising. just really sad about it as a huge huge filipino fan of hers

— maj (@chaesolfans) February 5, 2024

Another @greenteamissuss said the vlogger giving a “platform to a comedian who mocks Filipinos” is unacceptable.

“New YT video of Tzuyang is so disappointing. Giving a platform to a comedian who mocks Filipinos is not it. First Pinoy baiting putting a flag on a video, saying she’s a Filipino subscriber but she’s not, she’s a full native Korean,” they said.

New yt video of Tzuyang is so disappointing. Giving a platform to a comedian who mocks filipino is not it.
First pinoy baiting putting a flag on a video, saying she’s a Filipino subscriber but she’s not, she’s a full native Korean. pic.twitter.com/8zbkkQoJbe

— greentea 🍵 (@greenteamissuss) January 30, 2024

‘Sincerest apology’

The backlash led to Tzuyang apologizing to her subscribers while asserting she has “a lot of respect for the Philippines” in a pinned post in the comments section.

“Gusto ko po mag-express ng aking sincerest apology regarding sa video na i-upload noong 28th ng Enero kasama ng mga komedyans na Koreano para sa mga Filipino viewers,” she said in Filipino. “Gusto ko po magsabi na marami po akong respeto kay Pilipinas at lagi naman po akong magsasalamat sa mga lahat ng viewers ko sa Pilipinas.”

(I just want to express my sincerest apology regarding the video that I uploaded on Jan. 28 where I was accompanied by Korean comedians for Filipino viewers. I want to say that I have a lot of respect for the Philippines and I’m always thankful to my Filipino viewers.)

Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Tzuyang

The vlogger also admitted that she was unaware that her video would be “offensive” to other viewers.

“Bigay ng aking sincere na apology sa mga lahat ng viewers ko sa Pilipinas at mga viewer na mag-offend. ‘Yung video po ay deleted na ngayon. Salamat po para sa mga magsalitang feedback niyo at mag-iingat at maalalahanin ko po sa mga contents na gawa sa hinaharap,” said Tzuyang.

(I want to give my sincere apology to all my viewers in the Philippines and the viewers I offended. The video has been deleted already. Thank you for your feedback and I’ll be careful and mindful of the type of content I’ll create in the future.)

Tzuyang is known for her mukbang content on YouTube where she visits different restaurants to feast on its menu. Meanwhile, Kim has yet to issue a statement, as of this writing.