Toronto actor Simu Liu criticized a bottled bubble tea business pitch for cultural appropriation during his appearance on a reality show, and many people online are agreeing with the star’s remarks.
Liu, known for being Marvel super hero Shang-Chi and his roles in Barbie and Kim’s Convenience, joined CBC’s Dragons’ Den as a celebrity guest, in an episode that aired on Oct. 10.
The reality show follows aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their business concepts to a panel of Canadian business moguls. People with business ideas approach the group with their plans in hopes of securing a financial offer from one of the “dragons.”
In Thursday’s episode, a pair of entrepreneurs from Quebec City pitched a bottled bubble tea business called “Bobba.” The founders, Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, were seeking one million dollars from the business tycoons in exchange for 18 per cent share of their business.
@cbcgem This bottled bubble tea business pitches to celebrity Dragon Simu Liu and the rest of the Dragons (📺: Dragons' Den) #dragonsden #simuliu ♬ original sound – CBC Gem
The founders claimed they have transformed the popular Asian beverage into a convenient and healthier ready-to-drink experience. They also said they introduced two new innovations to the boba industry, the first alcoholic ready-to-drink bubble tea and its grab-and-go popping boba.
However, Liu called out the entrepreneurs for not including any Asian representation or consultation in the creation or marketing of the product, ultimately accusing them of cultural appropriation.
LIU CALLS OUT CULTURAL APPROPRIATION
In the clip that has since garnered thousands of views on TikTok, Liu says he is concerned with the company’s idea of disrupting the bubble tea industry because it’s something very near and dear to his Chinese culture.
“There’s an issue of cultural appropriation. There’s an issue of taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and quote, unquote “making it better,” which I have an issue with,” Liu said in the show.
In response, Fiset argued, “But it’s not an ethnical product anymore, not with the popping bobas. So, we took the Asian version, and we made it with the fruit, with juice.”
Though Fiset and one of the dragon’s, Manjit Minhas, claim that popping boba is “new,” the idea has actually been around for years and is commonly used in Asian bubble tea.
When the “Bobba” founders were pitching their idea to the dragons, Liu questioned what the company was doing in regards to honouring the drink’s Asian origin.
“What respect is being paid to this very Asian drink that has blown up around the world and is it in your teas? Is it in your product development? Who is on your staff? Who is on your cap table that is providing that for you?” he asked.
In response, Fiset says one of its partners for the product is in Taiwan and that’s the cultural tie.
“…So, they make all the recipes, all the boba. We work really hard. We travel to Taiwan, we speak with them. They are part of our team. It’s really important to us. That’s the cultural part of our product,” Fiset replied.
In the end, Liu did not provide an offer to the business.
“I am studying your can and I am looking for anything that tells me where boba came from, and where boba came from is Taiwan. You know, I started this venture company for a lot of reasons, but really, primarily to uplift minority entrepreneurs,” he said.
“And not only do I feel like this is not happening here, but that I would be uplifting a business that is profiting off of something that feels so dear to my cultural heritage. I want to be a part of bringing boba to the masses, but not like this. So, for that reason, I’m out,” he continued.
The episode ends with “Bobba” accepting Minhas offer of one million dollars for 20 per cent of the business.
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REACTION FROM ONLINE USERS
Online, many users are agreeing with Liu and praising him for putting the business on blast.
“To market your version of boba as healthier, as more White appealing, I’m going to stop you right there. Another thing, calling it a trend, calling boba a trend when it’s been around for decades. The only thing that ties boba back to its original roots is your supplier, like it’s not on your packaging, it’s not in your mission or your message, very much cultural appropriation,” one TikTok user pointed out.
“This is probably Simu Liu’s best take, i hate how all the other investors were laughing at him and shaming him for bringing it up when the founders said NOTHING about “hey ur right im sorry,” another TikTok comment read.
“Simu was 100% spot on! I’m disappointed in the other judges,” another comment read.
