Chen Ziyi was known for mukbang — a format in which creators eat in front of the camera, often turning the amount consumed into the main spectacle. Over a million people followed her posts. In some promotional broadcasts, the volumes of food were extreme. Chen herself stated that while promoting canned "century" eggs, she could eat 60–70 of them during a single broadcast. The more food appeared in front of the camera, the more spectacular the show looked, and the higher the commercial interest in the broadcast. ### Her Last Video Was Recorded from the Hospital Three days before her death, Chen published a video from the hospital. Marks from IV drips were visible on her arms. The girl reported that a blood test showed a potassium level of 2.3 mmol/L — a figure corresponding to severe hypokalemia. After treatment, it was raised to 3.3 mmol/L. At the same time, Chen herself linked her health deterioration to her work. According to her, this hospitalization was not the first. She also mentioned that for a long time, she had been artificially inducing vomiting after consuming large amounts of food. In her last video, the blogger was no longer talking about records and food. She admitted that her body had long been sending her alarming signals and urged her followers to prioritize health over earnings. On August 17, 2026, three days after the publication of this video, Chen Ziyi died. Her parents publicly announced her death on September 4. ### Why Potassium Deficiency Is Dangerous Potassium is essential for the normal functioning of muscles and the electrical activity of the heart. Severe hypokalemia can lead to pronounced weakness, arrhythmias, and other dangerous complications. In the most severe cases, the condition can be life-threatening. However, the mere consumption of large amounts of food does not necessarily lead to a sharp drop in potassium levels. The combination of extreme food volumes with repeated vomiting and other ways to quickly rid oneself of what has been eaten is significantly more dangerous: the body loses fluids and electrolytes. It is important, however, to distinguish between the established fact and the assumption about the cause of Chen's death. **The family and the hospital did not publicly state the official medical cause of death.** Chinese media, citing acquaintances of the girl, reported that her death may have been related to cardiac arrest due to prolonged hypokalemia. ### Mukbang Has Turned into an Industry Chen's story has once again drawn attention to extreme mukbang. The format originated in South Korea but has since evolved into a separate segment of the internet industry. The amount eaten, the speed of consumption, and unusual products become part of the competition for views and advertising revenue. In China, efforts are being made at the legislative level to combat such content. In 2021, a law aimed at preventing food waste came into effect, limiting the production and dissemination of videos promoting excessive food consumption. In 2025, the Chinese regulator also focused on internet challenges related to extreme amounts of food and alcohol. However, tragic cases continue to draw attention to the risks of such content. In July 2024, the death of another 24-year-old Chinese streamer, Pan Xiaoting, was widely discussed; she reportedly could spend up to ten hours eating and attempted to consume up to ten kilograms in one session. However, some sensational details about her death that circulated online were not officially confirmed. Chen Ziyi's last appeal was a complete contrast to the videos that made her famous. Instead of yet another demonstration of huge portions, she spoke about the hospital, poor test results, and the need to take care of herself. Three days later, the blogger was gone. Her story serves as yet another reminder that the pursuit of views and earnings in extreme mukbang can come with serious health risks.
