Chinese Mukbang Star Gan Fan Yingying Dies at 24 Following Extreme Eating
Chinese mukbang star Gan Fan Yingying has died at age 24 following prolonged extreme eating broadcasts. Her death highlights severe health risks associated with the viral online phenomenon.
A 24-year-old Chinese mukbang star, known online as "Gan Fan Yingying" (real name Chen Ziyi), has died after participating in extreme eating and sales broadcasts that involved consuming exceptionally large quantities of food. Her parents published a mourning statement confirming her death, according to The Epoch Times. The revelation renewed attention on the content posted by Chen, a resident of Liaocheng in China's Shandong province. According to local media reports, her social media accounts vanished on September 8, just days after her family's announcement.
Hospitalization and Warnings
In her final video, published on August 14, Chen shared that she had been hospitalized after "eating repeatedly" during live broadcasts, which she said caused her potassium levels to plummet. She stated that her potassium level had previously dropped to 2.3 millimoles per liter and stood at around 2.5 during emergency treatment. Chen expressed awareness that her recurring low potassium levels were tied to her work.
«Making money is important, but your health must always come first», she told her viewers.
Chen had more than one million followers and had uploaded 169 videos, most of which focused on eating massive amounts of food. Her final video showed several IV marks on her hand.
Extreme Routine and 70 Eggs
Chen previously spoke about the toll the job took on her. During a promotional event for preserved century eggs, a traditional Chinese delicacy, she consumed between 60 and 70 eggs in a single broadcast. She explained that even when switching to other foods, she was required to keep eating to maintain viewer engagement. She noted that as the quantity of food increased, audience interest grew, but warned that the body might not withstand the strain.
The Chinese internet star also described an extreme routine that involved eating in front of the camera, vomiting immediately afterward, and returning to eat again. She said this behavior led to repeated hospitalizations.
While Chen's parents did not disclose the official cause of death in their mourning statement, the Chinese news outlet Sing Tao Headlines reported that sources cited in Chinese media estimated the death could be linked to cardiac arrest caused by severe, prolonged low potassium levels. An acquaintance also confirmed that Chen suffered from low potassium for an extended period, though noting that official medical findings must determine the definitive cause of death.
