Simu Liu Accuses Boba Brand of ‘Culture Appropriation’ in Viral Dragons' Den Clip — Then $1M Investment Is Pulled

The bubble tea brand apologized after a heated exchange with Simu Liu on Dragon’s Den.

During the October 10 episode Aquarium for sharks-style series based in Canada, Liu raised concerns about Bobbi’s mission. Liu has a venture capital firm created “primarily to elevate minority entrepreneurs,” he said Dragon’s Den. He has invested in companies such as dumpling brand MìLà, where he also serves as Chief Content Officer.

Bobbi’s members Sébastien Fiset and Jessica Frenette asked the “dragons” (the show’s investment group) for $1 million for 18% of their company. From the beginning of the playground, there was tension between Liu and Team Bobba.

“Dragons, you’ve probably heard of bubble tea,” Frenette began. Liu quickly replied, “Has anyone else heard of bubble tea? I never heard of that thing before in my life.”

“Sim had bubble tea this morning!” added dragonfly Michelle Romanow.

Frenette continued, calling bubble tea “that trendy, sweet drink that you wait in line for and are never quite sure of its contents.” Fiset added, “Those days are over with Bobbo.”

“Wait, I’m pretty sure about its contents, but go ahead,” Liu said.

Fiset described Bobba as transforming a “beloved beverage” into a “convenient and healthier ready-to-drink experience.” While Liu looked skeptically at their text, the other dragons enthusiastically sipped the samples and praised the taste.

Bubble tea in a Bobba bottle has been criticized since it was featured in ‘Dragons’ Den’.

Bob

“People tried to shut it down. It is very difficult to maintain the taste,” Liu told one of the dragons, who then asked him if he was enjoying the drink. Liu replied that it was fine. “I’m concerned about this idea of ​​disrupting or disrupting bubble tea because it’s something—” he added.

“Why? There can be new perspectives on things. Not everything has to be traditional,” replied Manjit Minhas.

“There’s also the issue of cultural appropriation,” Liu said. “There’s a problem with taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and ‘enhancing’ it, which I have a problem with.”

The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star continued: “What kind of respect is given to this very Asian drink that has exploded around the world? Is it in your teas? Is it in your product development? Who is on your staff? Who is at your head table to ensure that for you?”

Sim Liu.

Neil Mockford/FilmMagic

Fiset told the host that they are “the best partner in Taiwan. They make all the recipes, all the beans.” He said they created Bobba because he realized boba was “on the rise all over the world so I thought, ‘I’ve got to put something out there.’

“I’m studying your can, looking for anything that tells me where the bean came from and where the bean is Taiwan,” Liu said. “Not only do I feel that this is not happening here, but to raise a business that makes money from something that is so dear to my cultural heritage. I want to be a part of bringing boba closer to the masses, but not like this.”

While half of the group, including Liu, stopped investing, the three dragons were involved and Minhas eventually agreed to invest in the product by the end of the episode.

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Since the segment aired, the scene has gone viral and many TikTokers have come to Liu’s side. “Simu was 100% right!” reads one comment. Another reads: “The other judges owe Simu an apology for dismissing his very real concerns.” More than 23,000 comments have more than 23,000 comments on the pitch video posted.

On Oct. 13, Minhas shared a video on Instagram explaining that “cultures are meant to be shared,” but “after more thought, due diligence, and hearing many of your opinions, I will not be investing in Bobba Tea.” She also emphasized that it is “never okay” to send hateful messages to Bobbo entrepreneurs.

Liu also posted a video on TikTok on October 12 re-emphasizing his cultural appropriation points and reiterating the importance of being kind to Bobba’s founders. “It’s never okay to threaten. It is never okay to bully or harass online,” he said.

Bobbi’s Instagram page released a statement on October 14 apologizing for the controversial business speech. The six-part post apologized “for the damage we caused with our words and actions on the show. While it was never our intention to cause harm or disrespect to the community that created and popularized this beloved beverage, we take full responsibility for the impact of our actions.”

The post promised to reevaluate their brand to “reflect respect and accurate representation of our Taiwanese partnership and bubble tea’s cultural roots.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education