Communion of a Bowl of Seaweed Soup with Familiar Strangers

How much community can be built in the absence of physical presence? With the example of the Miyeokguk Project , the author explores how the format of Mukbang (Korean word: 먹방, meaning live streaming or recorded video in which the host eats food while others watch.) encouraged Korean women around the world to feel connected to each other over a bowl of Miyeokguk (미역국, seaweed soup, also known as birthday soup). While consuming the same dish together virtually, participants shared intimate stories and struggles about their gender, sexuality, reproductive choices, and identities with strangers. This chapter explores Mukbang’s role as a ‘birthing place’ to build a seamless performing art project from participant interview to a final product of live performance presentation with the general public. Mukbang and other online communal eating experiences, if carefully designed, can not only replicate the benefits of physical gathering, but also create a unique performance setting.