"Gan Fan Ying Ying," a Chinese mukbang influencer with more than 1.23 million followers, died at age 24. She had previously livestreamed from a hospital revealing low blood potassium caused by heavy eating and vomiting, warning people not to neglect their health. Her family has yet to disclose the exact cause of death.,
On 11 September 2026, Chinese media reported the death of Chen Ziyi, known as "Gan Fan Ying Ying," a popular 24-year-old mukbang creator and influencer with over 1.23 million followers. Her family revealed she died on 17 August but did not disclose the cause. Some Chinese media sources cited insiders suggesting prolonged low potassium levels might be linked to cardiac arrest, though no official confirmation exists.
Gan Fan Ying Ying became known for videos and livestreams of consuming enormous amounts of food in one sitting, including seafood and salted duck eggs, gaining wide recognition. Her final video, posted on 14 August—three days before her death—was filmed from a hospital bed. She explained that her recent reduced posting and livestreaming was due to frequent large food intake causing dangerously low blood potassium levels, requiring treatment. In the video, she emphasized that while earning money is important, health should always come first, revealing her blood potassium had dropped to just 2.3 millimoles per liter, below normal levels.
Reports indicate Ying Ying had a history of low blood potassium and multiple hospitalizations. It was reported she engaged in repeated self-induced vomiting after filming food-eating videos over several years to avoid weight gain.
Doctors explained that simply eating large amounts of food does not cause severe potassium depletion. However, behaviors such as inducing vomiting or using laxatives can lead to rapid loss of fluids and potassium, resulting in dangerously low blood potassium levels. Potassium is a vital mineral essential for proper heart function; critically low levels can cause irregular heartbeats and, in severe cases, cardiac arrest.
Gan Fan Ying Ying’s death has reignited debate in China regarding mukbang content involving massive food consumption, and the pressures creators—especially younger ones—face to attract viewers and maintain follower bases.
Source: Shanghai Daily