What is the Simu Liu & Dragon’s Den Bobba Tea controversy?

The Simu Liu & Dragon’s Den Bobba Tea Controversy has sparked a firestorm on social media, particularly on TikTok, igniting debates on cultural appropriation, business ethics, and the representation of Asian culture in mainstream media. The controversy arose from a recent episode of Dragon’s Den, Canada’s version of Shark Tank, where guest investor Simu Liu, the Chinese-Canadian star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, publicly clashed with the founders of Bobba, a ready-to-drink bubble tea company.

The Pitch and Simu Liu’s concerns

During the Dragon’s Den episode, entrepreneurs Sébastien Fiset and Jess Frenette presented their bubble tea business, Bobba, asking for a $1 million investment in exchange for 18% equity. The pair described Bobba as a “unique” twist on bubble tea, marketing it as a more convenient, ready-to-drink version of the popular beverage. They hoped to disrupt the bubble tea market by introducing a “healthier” alternative featuring fruit juices and popping boba. Their ultimate goal: to sell the company to Pepsi for $1 billion within five years.

However, Liu, who is well-versed in Asian culture and the origins of bubble tea, expressed reservations about the founders’ approach. His concerns were not about the business model but about the cultural implications of rebranding and “improving” a beloved Asian drink. Liu questioned the idea of “disturbing” the traditional bubble tea market and took issue with the idea of taking something “distinctly Asian” and “making it better.”

Liu put it like way: “There’s also the problem of cultural appropriation. It’s problematic to take something with a very Asian identity and, quote-unquote, “make it better.”

The aftermath: Cultural appropriation and backlash

Simu Liu’s comments on the show quickly went viral, and TikTok erupted in reaction. Viewers, especially from the Asian community, rallied behind Liu, praising him for calling out what many perceived as cultural appropriation. The crux of the controversy lay in the founders’ description of bubble tea, or “boba,” as a trendy, sugary drink that they could “improve” with fruit juices and popping boba. Many felt that the entrepreneurs, despite claiming to have a partner in Taiwan, were diminishing the cultural significance of bubble tea by stripping it of its traditional roots for commercial gain.

Criticism also mounted against Dragon’s Den investors, particularly Manjit Minhas, who continued to defend the business despite Liu’s concerns. Minhas, herself of South Asian descent, dismissed Liu’s apprehension, arguing that new takes on traditional foods weren’t inherently problematic. However, her responses were widely seen as tone-deaf, with critics accusing her of dismissing valid concerns about cultural exploitation for profit.

As the episode aired, users on TikTok and other platforms slammed Bobba’s branding, calling it “disrespectful” and “a cash grab.” Many accused the company of profiting off a culture they did not respect, while others took issue with the use of what they perceived as stereotypical marketing imagery, like the raccoon mascot wearing sunglasses.

The fallout: Investment withdrawals and apologies

Following the episode, Manjit Minhas announced that she was withdrawing her $1 million investment offer from Bobba. In her statement, Minhas echoed some of Simu Liu’s sentiments, noting that she had done further “due diligence” and after listening to criticism, decided to back out. However, many felt that her apology was more of a PR move in response to the backlash, with some accusing her of only pulling her investment because Bobba’s profitability might be in jeopardy following the controversy.

Despite this, Bobba founders Fiset and Frenette accepted the investment from other Dragons, Arlene Dickinson and Michele Romanow, seemingly securing their $1 million deal. However, the wider conversation about cultural appropriation and the role of non-Asian entrepreneurs in the bubble tea industry did not end there.

Simu Liu, who had stood firm in his position, took to social media to clarify his stance, urging viewers to focus on educating people about cultural sensitivities rather than resorting to harassment. Liu emphasized that the entrepreneurs were not “bad people” but needed to understand the cultural weight of their actions.

Public reaction: Divisions and apologies

In the aftermath, the debate spilled over into broader discussions about cultural appropriation, especially in the context of food and beverage businesses. While many praised Liu for standing up for Asian cultural heritage, others felt that the incident reflected a broader issue of how the Asian community is often treated in mainstream media and business. Critics of Minhas and the other Dragons accused them of minimizing the importance of cultural context in business ventures, furthering the perception that cultural appropriation is often downplayed when it comes to profit-making.

On the other hand, some defended Bobba and its founders, arguing that the entrepreneurs had a right to innovate and expand the bubble tea market. Yet even those in favor of Bobba’s approach were largely critical of the dismissive attitudes displayed by Minhas and the other Dragons.

Liu, in his Instagram post, took the high road, calling for understanding rather than animosity. He reminded people that while expressing anger was valid, it should not devolve into harassment. However, many felt that his clarifying statements were a response to the considerable online fury and perhaps an attempt to reset the conversation.

Conclusion: A learning moment or missed opportunity?

The Simu Liu & Dragon’s Den Bobba Tea Controversy highlights the complexity of cultural appropriation in the modern business world. While innovation is crucial in entrepreneurship, Liu’s comments reflect a broader concern about how deeply rooted cultural elements are often repurposed without respect for their origins. The backlash underscores the importance of understanding cultural significance before profiting off it.

For Dragon’s Den and its investors, this incident may be a reminder that cultural sensitivity is a critical component of business decisions, especially when dealing with products tied to the heritage of marginalized communities. For Bobba, it’s a wake-up call on how they present and market their product in a way that respects its roots.

In the end, the controversy isn’t just about bubble tea; it’s about the broader conversation on cultural ownership, respect, and the responsibility of businesses to understand the products they’re commercializing.