A Canadian Boba Tea Company issued an apology following accusations of cultural appropriation from Marvel actor Simu Liu on an episode of Dragon’s Den, a reality TV series. During the episode of CBC’s Dragon’s Den, the owners of the Quebec bubble tea brand Bobba pitched their product to potential investors, including Liu, claiming they were “disturbing” the popular bubble tea market by using only three simple ingredients to create a “convenient and healthier” experience. In response to the backlash, the Boba Tea Company issued an apology, acknowledging the concerns raised by Liu. The Boba Tea Company issued an apology stating their commitment to understanding the cultural significance of bubble tea. Following the incident, the Boba Tea Company issued an apology on social media to express their regret for any harm caused. This series of events led to the Boba Tea Company issuing an apology that sparked important discussions about cultural sensitivity in the industry.
Liu challenged the entrepreneurs, asserting that they were appropriating the Taiwanese drink, known as boba or bubble tea, which has gained popularity worldwide. “I’m concerned about this idea of disrupting or disturbing bubble tea,” Liu stated during the episode. “There’s an issue of taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and ‘making it better,’ which I have an issue with.”
The Canadian-Chinese actor further questioned the business owners, Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, about whether they had staff who understood the cultural significance of the “very Asian drink,” made with tapioca balls. Mr. Fiset replied that their “best partner” was in Taiwan, emphasizing that “they make all the recipes, all the boba.”
The episode quickly gained traction on social media, where users criticized the Bobba owners. In response, the Boba Tea Company issued an apology on social media, expressing regret for the harm caused “with our words and actions on the show.” The owners acknowledged Liu’s valid points regarding cultural appropriation and welcomed the opportunity to learn. They stated their intention to re-evaluate their branding, packaging, and marketing strategies to ensure they respectfully represent their Taiwanese partnership and the cultural roots of bubble tea.
Simu Liu also took to social media to de-escalate the conflict, asserting that the entrepreneurs came on the show “in good faith.” He ultimately chose not to contribute to the $1 million (£765,000) investment Mr. Fiset and Ms. Frenette were seeking for an 18% stake in their company due to the concerns he raised about their product. “That doesn’t mean that I believe they deserve harassment,” Liu said in a video.
Another judge on the show, Manjit Minhas, initially agreed to invest in Bobba, arguing that “there can be new takes on things… Not everything has to be traditional,” in response to Liu’s criticism. However, following the backlash from social media, she changed her stance, announcing on Sunday, “After more reflection, due diligence, and listening to many of your opinions, I will not be investing in Bobba Tea.”
In a video posted on her Instagram account, she mentioned having to turn off comments due to the abuse she received since the episode aired. “It is never OK to send hate and threatening messages to the entrepreneurs,” she stated. The Boba Tea Company issued an apology that has since sparked important conversations about cultural sensitivity and respect in the food industry.
