BEIJING, September 10, 2026: Chinese mukbang influencer Chen Ziyi, known online as “Ying Ying,” has died at the age of 24, according to her parents. The family confirmed her death on September 4 and said she had died on August 17, but did not disclose an official cause of death.
Ying Ying had more than one million social media followers and was known for videos and livestreams featuring large quantities of food. She had previously said that the popularity of such content created pressure to continue eating large amounts because higher consumption could attract more viewers and improve livestream performance.
Final video mentioned severe potassium deficiency
In her final video, shared on August 14, Ying Ying said she had been hospitalised after her blood potassium level fell to 2.3 mmol/L. She also said she had experienced severe potassium deficiency several times previously.
The influencer acknowledged the importance of earning money but said health should come first. Her comments have drawn renewed attention to the potential health risks associated with extreme eating-content trends.
Reports have also claimed that Ying Ying once said she had eaten between 60 and 70 preserved eggs during a livestream. The claim has not been independently verified.
Cause of death remains unconfirmed
Severe potassium deficiency, or hypokalaemia, can cause serious health complications, including potentially dangerous abnormalities in heart rhythm. Some reports have linked Ying Ying’s death to cardiac arrest following prolonged potassium deficiency.
However, neither her family nor an official medical source has publicly confirmed the cause of death. Any connection between her eating-content activities, potassium deficiency and her death therefore remains unverified.
Her death has prompted renewed discussion on social media about mukbang content, extreme eating challenges and the potential health consequences of repeatedly consuming unusually large quantities of food.