Food Influencers Are Making Uncomfortable Eye Contact With You — And They're Doing It On Purpose

Food trends on TikTok and Instagram rely on visually appealing thumbnails to capture users’ attention, with close-up shots of creators eating and making eye contact being a major influence. This trend of intimacy while eating stems from the South Korean mukbang trend of the early 2010s, creating a sense of connection and authenticity with viewers. Viewers are drawn to these videos for the parasocial relationship they offer, allowing them to experience the sensory aspects of food vicariously and manage cravings, while also providing ASMR-like experiences with the sounds of chewing.

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