Gastronomic voyeurism is the latest craze in South Korea

COME dine with me. There's an online food fad tickling the digital tastebuds of Koreans. Why are people logging on to watch someone eat?

There's a sensation sweeping the South Korean nation: watching people eat food online. This woman is a seasoned ...

WATCHING someone eat food via webcam is the latest craze in South Korea.

A report by Reuters suggests this gastronomic voyeurism is turning on thousands of viewers.

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One particular star of the scene is Park Seo-yeon, known as "The Diva", who broadcasts herself eating in her apartment up to three hours every day.

Park lays out a buffet of dishes in front of her computer and during a session shows off her courses and shovels down the grub while talking to online guests.

Viewers can chat with her or send her gifts that translate into cash. Park earns more than US$9,000 a month from the gobbling gig and has even quit her regular day job as a result of her popularity.

One dedicated follower watches Park in one of her daily food eating web broadcasts. Source: Reuters

The appeal of this 'watch me eat' craze isn't down to curious culinarians. Park explains:

"People enjoy the vicarious pleasure with my online show when they can't eat that much, or don't want to eat food at night, or are on a diet."

What an interesting concept: if you're trying to lose a bit of weight, watch someone else eat. No wonder restaurants have windows.

According to the report, there are an estimated 3,500 people in South Korea participating in similar online eating programmes sponsored by restaurants.

For the viewers, other than the voyeuristic or dieting, this new eating sensation also manages to offer company to some who may be dining alone at home.

One viewer said: "It feels as if I am eating that much food with her. I think that's what the show is about. And probably, it's comforting for people who eat alone."