Simu Liu Ignites Controversy Over Cultural Appropriation Accusations Against Boba Tea Company

Recently, Simu Liu ignited an online discussion after he accused a Canadian bubble tea brand of cultural appropriation while guesting on Dragons’ Den.

Dragons’ Den is akin to Shark Tank in Canada, where business owners present their ventures to a panel of investors for potential funding. In a recent episode, Liu listened to a pitch from a Quebec-based bubble tea business called Bobba, founded by Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette. For those who aren’t familiar, bubble tea is a widely loved Taiwanese drink that combines milk and tea with chewy tapioca pearls. A global fascination with bubble tea has surged, making it popular beyond Asia and into markets like Europe and the U.S.

The expanding bubble tea sector has attracted many budding entrepreneurs, resulting in a plethora of bubble tea shops and unique flavor combinations. However, this rapid growth has raised alarms about businesses potentially neglecting the drink’s cultural roots and significance as they attempt to redefine it.

Simu Liu critiques bubble tea business for cultural appropriation

During his time on Dragons’ Den, the founders of Bobba presented their concept to the judging panel, which included Liu. They claimed they had developed a healthier, enhanced version of bubble tea, stating that today’s consumers often feel uncertain about their drink’s “content.” Fiset mentioned that those days of uncertainty regarding bubble tea’s ingredients were behind us. Liu found this assertion puzzling since bubble tea typically comprises only a few simple components. He responded, “I am quite sure about its content, but go on.” The entrepreneurs continued to market their product as a “convenient, healthier, ready-to-drink option” with merely three ingredients.

Although Liu acknowledged their drink tasted acceptable, he voiced his worries about cultural appropriation. “I’m troubled by this notion of altering or disturbing bubble tea because it’s something that—” he began, but was interrupted by investor Manjit Minhas, who argued there could be “new interpretations” and that “not everything has to remain traditional.” Liu clarified, “The issue also relates to cultural appropriation. We need to consider the implications of taking something that has a distinctly Asian identity and supposedly improving it.” To this, Fiset countered, stating it was “not an ethnic product anymore” because of the introduction of popping boba.

The business owners admitted that their only connection to Asian culture was a partner from Taiwan. Liu conveyed his disappointment that their product didn’t reflect bubble tea’s true origins while still profiting from something that holds significant value in his “cultural heritage.” Consequently, he declined to invest, even though Minhas proposed offering the entrepreneurs $1 million for an 18% stake in the business.

The backlash from Simu Liu’s comments on cultural appropriation

Liu’s remarks created a buzz on social media. In the aftermath of the episode, investor Minhas chose to withdraw her $1 million offer. Liu also shared a video expressing concern over the harassment directed at the Bobba owners because of this incident. He denounced the bullying but reiterated his stance, suggesting that there is a distinction between honoring a product from another culture and simply exploiting it. He emphasized that this situation should serve as an educational opportunity, helping people understand that “some things aren’t OK” without resorting to negativity.

@simuliu
some thoughts on boba/bobba? lets be kind to each other!

♬ original sound – Simu Liu

While the Bobba owners endured backlash for the situation, Liu himself also faced criticism as users on various platforms debated the validity of his claims regarding cultural appropriation. Some users ridiculed him, branding his comments as “cringe” or calling him a “woke hypocrite.” One individual pointed out this perceived hypocrisy by mentioning Liu’s role as a Korean character in a show, despite his Chinese-Canadian background. Another took things further, claiming his choice of wearing a blazer constituted cultural appropriation since it was originally designed by an Englishman. Many argued that Liu’s points suggested that only Italians should sell pizza or similar products. However, the context of television roles differs significantly, and Liu never stated that individuals cannot enjoy or sell products that originate from other cultures.

Supporters of Liu argued that the context was pivotal. They pointed out the lack of genuine connection or interest from the Bobba founders toward the product, indicating that their motives seemed solely profit-driven. Moreover, their claims of improving bubble tea insinuated that this culturally significant drink was somehow inferior or unhealthy. While it’s true that non-Italians can sell pizza, it would be unusual for an American pizza establishment to assert to Italian investors that their product is superior or healthier than authentic Italian pizza, or to suggest that traditional pizza’s ingredients are ambiguous.

idk what pissed me off more, the other dragons den judges outright mocking simu liu for bringing up cultural appropriation concerns, the outright racist fear mongering of an asian invention, or the fact that bobba got a deal. if you see this at your grocery store, run away? pic.twitter.com/GbTaMwiLnp

— m ⎕ (@playingcnmymind) October 11, 2024

Wyt people speaking about making an Asian thing better in front of an Asian is very ick.Simu Liu had very valid points about this brand and their cultural appropriation of bubble tea. And pls, popping boba’s been in the market back in like 2017 or something. pic.twitter.com/ajRqdIPQYu

— Gillian Hero (@lilyoftheveil17) October 11, 2024

Simu Liu was too kind and polite I personally would have called that pink suit woman names. And the audacity of these two white people to come in here and remove the Asian-ness out of BUBBLE TEA of all things. I am appalled pic.twitter.com/E6ocvHU58Z

—? ran? (@rancakemix) October 12, 2024

Them yt Canadian people really built a company off culturally appropriating boba by naming it “bobba” and acting as if canned boba tea & popping jellies were a new phenomenon… and to top it all off that South Asian lady totally ignored Simu Liu’s concerns and gave them $1M?

— ayo edebiri’s wife (@its_marjay) October 12, 2024

This scenario underscores the importance of considering context and intent. While not every situation constitutes cultural appropriation, Liu made clear that certain actions are unacceptable.

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