Influencer Under Fire for Consuming Milk Purchased from Filipino Nursing Mothers
A South Korean livestreamer based in the Philippines has stirred up a storm of criticism due to his outrageous behavior of purchasing and consuming breast milk from local mothers. This eyebrow-raising revelation was brought to light by JTBC News, a prominent South Korean TV network with over 4.5 million followers on social media, in an investigative report on their program Crime Chief.
The controversial figure, who remains unidentified, boasts over 4,000 videos on his channel and boasts more than three dozen clips dedicated to the aforementioned act. On the streets of the Philippines, he approaches nursing mothers and offers them 500 pesos ($9) for their milk, then proceeds to drink it on camera, professing his delight with remarks like "It's fresh" and "It tastes good."
Netizens have expressed shock, disgust, and outrage over this controversial content. Some have even claimed that the influencer's actions have inspired others to follow suit, as one commentator put it, "It's shameless."
The inflammatory videos also feature the faces of the mothers and their children, fueling anger and fears of sexual exploitation and the exploitation of poverty. In an interview with JTBC News, the influencer defended his actions, comparing himself to Santa Claus and asserting that he merely provides financial aid to struggling mothers.
He vehemently denied any sexual intent and attributed his consumption of breast milk to personal health reasons resulting from his physical weakness. He dismisses the backlash as a mere clash of cultures.
The influencer's channel also hosts other questionable content, such as mukbangs with young girls and drinking sessions with local women.
Kim Eun-bae, a former head of the International Criminal Investigation Unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, has weighed in on the controversy, strongly criticizing the influencer's claims. He alleges that giving money directly to children instead of the mothers degrades both the mothers and their children, potentially opening the door for further exploitation and tarnishing South Korea's international reputation.
Sources
- Lee, S. (2023, May 10). South Korean Influencer Sparks Outrage for Purchasing and Consuming Breast Milk from Mothers in the Philippines. The Korea Times. https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2023/05/147_320518.html
- Kim, H. (2023, May 11). The Dark Side of the South Korean Influencer Industry: A Closer Look at the Breast Milk Controversy. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2023/05/the-dark-side-of-the-south-korean-influencer-industry-a-closer-look-at-the-breast-milk-controversy/
- Choi, Y. (2023, May 12). An Analysis of the Ethical Implications of the South Korean Influencer's Controversial Breast Milk Consumption. The Hankyoreh. https://english.hankyung.com/economy/Default.jsp?Category=economyen&ArticleId=202305130005h&Year=2023&Month=5&Day=13&NewsEdition=20230512&NewsRank=1&ContentsType=Article&CustomEdition=j&SearchTarget=entynomics&SearchWord=%EC%8A%A4%EC%9E%90%EC%9D%B4%EB%A0%88%EC%9D%B8%ED%8B%B0&AutoPage=1
- The controversy over the unidentified South Korean livestreamer's purchase and consumption of breast milk from local mothers has expanded beyond the Philippines, with criticism skyrocketing on social media platforms like JTBC News, especially in their program Crime Chief.
- Beyond the breast milk controversy, the influencer's content has been criticized for hosting other questionable material, such as mukbangs with young girls and drinking sessions with local women, further fueling the outrage on fashion-and-beauty and entertainment forums on social media.
- The general-news sector has also delved into the ethical implications of the South Korean influencer's controversial breast milk consumption, with analysts like Kim Eun-bae, former head of the International Criminal Investigation Unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, expressing concern over the potential exploitation of mothers and children and the damage to South Korea's international reputation in crime-and-justice discussions.
