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Dateline: Oct 20

Dateline discovers Kimchi -South Korea's binge eating broadcasters.

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This week on Dateline meet South Korea’s binge eating broadcasters, who share meals with hundreds of fans over webcam.

But is the country’s new food obsession just a recipe for modern loneliness?

BJ Fitness Fairy regularly eats enough for three people while viewers pay to send her virtual balloons. She can make up to $4000 a week.

But critics say this bizarre trend is a symptom of widespread unhappiness and an increase in one-person households, where online eating takes the place of traditional communal meals.

Mukbang, as it’s known, isn’t the country’s only food obsession… cookbang is inspired by a whole new wave of TV cooking shows, with more men getting involved in the kitchen.

And the government is investing $20 million in promoting its food abroad, including the national dish of kimchi. There’s even a kimchi theme park.

But after years of war, hardship and starvation, is it all just a superficial escape from deep-rooted discontent in South Korea?

9.30pm Tuesday on SBS.

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