Park Jung-won, 28, widely known as Tzuyang, is one of the most prominent figures in the South Korean mukbang scene, boasting over 12 million followers on social media. Standing at 1.61 m tall and weighing between 44 and 50 kg, her eating capacity astounds many, earning her the title of "eating goddess." Doctors report her stomach is 40% larger than that of an average person with a similar physique, even exceeding the size of many adult men's stomachs.

Tzuyang's feats include consuming 10 bowls of ramen in a single livestream, 101 plates of sushi and 33 servings of beef intestines in one sitting, and 10 cups of extra-spicy chicken noodles in under 7 minutes. She's also taken on challenges like eating 12 kg of oysters, a 3 kg steak with pasta, curry rice, mashed potatoes, and three desserts. On trips abroad, she's spent up to 3 million won (approximately 55 million Vietnamese dong/2,350 USD) on an 8 kg king crab and two lobsters at the Sydney Fish Market.

Despite a daily caloric intake reaching 30,000, 15 times the recommended amount for adult women, Tzuyang's health checkups reveal stable blood sugar, kidney function, and digestive health. She rarely exercises but has bowel movements 3 to 4 times a day, her body seemingly adapted to the enormous food intake.

Park Jung-won during a mukbang session. Photo: Tzuyang

Park Jung-won during a mukbang session. Photo: Tzuyang

However, behind the viral eating clips, health concerns linger. In a recent television program, Tzuyang revealed a weight drop to 44-46 kg, though doctors confirmed no serious issues. Fans remain worried about the long-term impact of excessive eating, despite her current lack of complications.

Tzuyang admits maintaining her image and engaging content isn't easy. The intense eating for filming sometimes leaves her exhausted, but her passion for food and audience support motivates her. "I know most people can't eat like this without health consequences. Maybe I'm lucky, but I still need to listen to my body," she shared.

Medical experts warn that continuously consuming such a high calorie load, exceeding normal needs by over 15 times, can lead to visceral fat accumulation, increasing the risk of diabetes, visceral obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The constant strain on the stomach and digestive system also raises the risk of stomach dilation, acid reflux, ulcers, and digestive dysfunction.

Furthermore, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation from a high-calorie diet can damage organs like the liver, pancreas, and cardiovascular system. Uncontrolled eating can also disrupt hormonal balance, affect sleep, and cause chronic fatigue, even if outwardly appearing healthy.

Thuc Linh (Koreaboo)