"I Prefer an Everyday Style and Dislike Big Food Fighters": Integrating Foodshow into Everyday Life

Abstract

In this paper, we examine a genre of User Generated Videos (UGV) centering around food which we term "foodshow". While Korean mukbang features streamers eat large quantities of food, foodshow features mundane activities in life. Toward understanding unique watching practices of foodshow given its difference from mukbang, we interviewed 12 foodshow viewers in China, uncovering active and life-oriented watching of foodshow - viewers actively choose and watch foodshow which walks a fine line between authenticity and attractiveness, reflecting everyday existence and involving moderate performance at the same time. With these unique features, foodshow watching is integrated into viewers' daily life, and helps in eating, sleeping, and emotional adjustment, in addition to entertainment. Based on the findings, we suggest design implications for healthier and more beneficial foodshow.