A Canadian boba tea brand, Bobba, has issued an apology following accusations of cultural appropriation made by Marvel actor Simu Liu during an episode of CBC’s Dragons’ Den.
The show, similar to the US’s Shark Tank, featured entrepreneurs Sébastien Fiset and Jess Frenette pitching their Quebec-based bubble tea business to potential investors, including Liu.
The business owners claimed they were “disrupting” the traditional bubble tea market by simplifying the beverage to just three ingredients, aiming to make it more convenient and healthier.
However, Liu, who was a guest on the show, expressed concerns over their approach.
He highlighted that bubble tea, originally from Taiwan, holds significant cultural value and criticized the idea of “improving” an already culturally significant drink.
Liu also questioned whether the company employed staff who understood the cultural significance of the beverage.
In response, Fiset pointed out that their primary partner was based in Taiwan and was responsible for all their recipes.
After the episode aired, it garnered widespread attention on social media, with many criticizing the entrepreneurs.
In response, Bobba’s owners issued an apology, acknowledging the validity of Liu’s concerns.
They promised to reevaluate their branding, packaging, and marketing to better reflect the cultural roots of bubble tea.
Simu Liu also addressed the issue on social media, clarifying that while he did not invest in the business due to the concerns he raised, he did not condone the harassment the owners faced online.
Another investor on the show, Manjit Minhas, initially supported the pitch but later withdrew her investment following public outcry.
Minhas also condemned the online abuse directed at the entrepreneurs, urging that disagreements should not lead to hate.
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