Efecan Kultur, a well-known Turkish TikTok personality famous for his mukbang videos, has died at the age of 24 due to complications from obesity.
The content creator, who gained a following of 155,000 fans on the social media platform by broadcasting his extreme eating habits, passed away on March 7 after spending months hospitalized with serious health issues, the Daily Mail reports.
From Viral Fame to Health Struggles
Kultur rose to prominence in Turkey as a mukbang streamer, a content genre that originated in South Korea and has since become a global phenomenon.
Mukbang involves individuals consuming large quantities of food while interacting with viewers in real time.
His videos amassed millions of views, but his extreme eating habits eventually took a severe toll on his health.
By December 2024, Kultur had become bedridden due to obesity-related complications.
He was suffering from severe breathing difficulties, excessive bruising, and mobility issues, rendering him unable to stand. Even after being discharged from the hospital to continue his treatment at home, his condition remained critical. His weight reportedly became so debilitating that he was unable to visit his mother’s grave after she passed away last year.
Final Months Documented on Social Media
Kultur’s social media presence shifted drastically in his final months.
His last mukbang video, posted on TikTok in October 2024, showed him eating a plate of canned grape leaves while announcing that he had started a diet and was reducing his salt intake. After that, his posts became less frequent, with his final YouTube upload appearing eight months before his passing.
In his last TikTok post before his death was announced, Kultur shared a photo of himself with caretakers, including his late mother, captioned “Family worship.”
Popular Turkish streamer Testo Taylan visited Kultur just a month before his death. In a lengthy interview, Kultur remained lying in bed. He openly discussed his health struggles during the conversation.
A Growing Concern Over Mukbang Culture
Kultur is not the first mukbang content creator to suffer severe health consequences due to excessive eating.
The trend, which initially gained popularity as a form of entertainment and social engagement, has become increasingly extreme, with some influencers consuming dangerously large portions of food for views.
Last year, Chinese live-streamer Pan Xiaoting died from a suspected stomach rupture while attempting a 10-hour binge session. Medical reports revealed her stomach had become deformed and filled with undigested food, possibly leading to a fatal internal rupture.
Similarly, in January 2023, American TikToker Taylor Brice LeJeune, known as Waffler69, passed away at 33 from a suspected heart attack. LeJeune was known for his unconventional food reviews, which included eating expired products and bizarre novelty foods, such as canned cheeseburgers and vintage cereals from the 90s.
Another TikToker, Brittany Sauer, died at 28 due to complications from Type 2 diabetes. In her final videos, she expressed regret over her binge-eating habits, stating that she felt she had “ruined her life.”
Turkish Government Responds to Online Eating Trends
Kultur’s death has prompted concerns in Turkey over the potential dangers of mukbang culture and extreme eating challenges on social media, per The Sun.
The Turkish government is reportedly considering new regulations to address online content that could encourage harmful behavior.
According to Turkiye Today, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration is working on legislation that would restrict social media access for individuals under the age of 16. The proposed measures aim to limit exposure to potentially harmful trends, including excessive eating challenges that may contribute to serious health risks.
While Kultur’s death has sparked debates over personal responsibility versus social media influence, it also serves as a stark reminder of the real-life consequences of extreme content creation. As the mukbang trend continues to evolve, so does the growing concern over its impact on public health.
Our thoughts go out to Kultur's family, friends, and fans at this time.