South Korean mukbang star Tzuyang, known for consuming massive quantities of food while maintaining a remarkably low weight, has revealed a possible medical explanation for her unique metabolism. In a recent appearance on the JTBC variety show Science Students’ Counseling Club – Solving It Bit by Bit, the popular YouTuber detailed a lifelong struggle with constant hunger and underwent analysis by medical experts seeking to understand her physiology. The 29-year-old’s case is drawing attention to the complexities of appetite regulation and body image in the age of online eating entertainment.
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Tzuyang, the South Korean YouTuber known for her massive mukbangs, has revealed a surprising reason behind her ability to consume enormous quantities of food while remaining remarkably thin. The star, who regularly devours meals that would overwhelm most people – from dozens of instant noodle packets to kilograms of meat – has opened up about a metabolic issue that keeps her weight consistently low.
During a December 24 episode of the JTBC variety show Science Students’ Counseling Club – Solving It Bit by Bit, Tzuyang publicly discussed her condition, explaining that she constantly feels hungry, to the point where it interferes with her daily life. “I always feel hungry to the point where it disturbs my life. Every time I’m hungry, I often wonder, is it okay if I keep eating?” she shared, according to KBizoom.
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The 29-year-old explained that she’s struggled with this issue since school, where it caused significant stress and made it difficult to concentrate. “I often left class just to eat. Sometimes I tried to fill my stomach with water,” she recalled.
At times, eating became more central to her life than studying or pursuing hobbies. Her extreme appetite also comes with a hefty price tag. “Food expenses are my number one expenditure. If you combine filming, delivery, eating out, and treating those around me, it can easily exceed 10 million won (around $116,000) per month,” she revealed. “Just one mukbang session can cost 3 million won ($34,800), and in some months I spend tens of millions of won just on food.”
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Mukbang 30.000 Kalori Sehari, Dokter Ungkap Alasan Tzuyang Tetap Kurus. Foto: Instagram tzuyang70
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Despite consistently eating large amounts, Tzuyang says her weight continues to decrease. “I used to have chubby cheeks, but now my weight just keeps going down,” she said.
Experts appearing on the show suggested Tzuyang’s condition goes beyond simply overeating. Brain engineering expert Choi Myung-hwan explained that there are two types of fullness: physical and chemical. “Tzuyang seems to be able to feel physical fullness, but hardly feels chemical fullness,” he stated.
Tzuyang confirmed this, saying she never feels truly satisfied, even after consuming large quantities of sweets. “No matter how much sweet food I eat, I never feel really full,” she explained.
Chemist Jang Hong-je added that Tzuyang’s body type likely means her stomach expands easily without putting significant pressure on her body. “Food seems to move quickly into her intestines after she eats, so her body is constantly in a state of being ready to eat again,” Jang explained.
Medical examinations also revealed that Tzuyang’s stomach is slightly larger than average, while her intestinal activity is exceptionally high. Another key to her consistent weight of around 44 kilograms (97 pounds) lies in her frequent bowel movements. “I go to the bathroom very often and have a lot of bowel movements,” she said, recalling having to use the restroom multiple times during rest stops on the highway.
The experts concluded that Tzuyang’s body has a balance between intake and output, explaining why her weight remains stable – and even tends to decrease – despite her seemingly impossible eating habits. Mukbangs have become a global phenomenon, and Tzuyang’s case offers a unique insight into the complexities of metabolism and body image within the popular online trend.
(hst/hst)
