Actor Simu Liu Calls Out Canadian Bubble Tea Company for Cultural Appropriation on 'Dragons' Den' as Social Media Blasts the Brand (VIDEO)

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – A Canada-based bubble tea company has come under fire online for cultural appropriation after appearing on the show Dragon's Den.

Also in his sights is Manjit Minhas, the creator of the “dragon” Minhas Breweries & Distillery, who serves on the show's jury as one of the investors in the reality TV show, which is similar to the British production that grew out of the original Japanese series.

And at the center of it all is Canadian actor Simu Liu, 35, who appeared as a guest dragon on the popular Canadian reality series this week.

It all started when the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings Stern, was less than amused by a bottled ready-to-drink boba drink from a Caucasian couple who claimed it made the Asian-origin drink “better.”

Liu accused the pair of “taking something that is very distinctly Asian in its identity” and failing to include in the pitch where it came from, criticizing the duo for “profiting from something that is so similar to their cultural heritage.” is close to the heart.”

The Quebec entrepreneurs had been seeking C$1 million (RM3.11 million) for an 18% stake in their beverage company – not so creatively called Bobba.

Liu's initial reservations about the product escalated into concern when Jessica began the pitch by saying, “You know that trendy sugary drink you're in line for, but you're not sure about the contents?”

“Those days with Bobba are over. “We have transformed this popular drink into a convenient and healthier ready-to-drink experience,” claimed Sebastien, explaining that their version of bubble tea consists of “three simple ingredients,” including “high-quality tea, fruit juice, etc.” the famous Popping Boba.”

The drink comes in watermelon, dragon fruit and peach colors and retails for around CAD$3.99 (RM12.43) at “major grocers in Canada, the US and Europe”.

Liu, who was born in China, had explained to another “Dragon”: “People have tried to bottle it (in the past), but it is very difficult to retain the taste.”

Unfazed, he remarked, “This is about cultural appropriation.” It's about taking something whose identity is very distinctly Asian and quoting it as “making it better.”

“I thought (the taste) was OK, but I'm worried about the idea of ​​disrupting bubble tea because it's something that I care deeply about.”

Bubble tea – a drink called boba that contains tapioca balls – originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s and is a global phenomenon and closely linked to Asian culture.

As if failing a presentation wasn't bad enough, Sebastien Liu countered by saying that the product had become so popular around the world that it was no longer “ethnic.”

He revealed that the brand had achieved sales of C$2.2 million (RM6.86 million) in its first year, followed by C$4.6 million (RM14.33 million) in its second year, and was expected to generate C$7 million (RM21 million). 81 million) this year and C$14 million (RM43.63 million) next year.

“Obviously you’re doing very well. But what respect is given to this very Asian drink that has caused a stir around the world?

“And is it because of your teas, your product development? Who’s on your staff, who’s at your leadership table to provide that for you?”

The confusing answer that followed left Liu fuming when Sebastien said that a partner in Taiwan “makes the recipes and the boba,” to which Liu pointed out that there is nothing on the can that tells customers where it comes from comes.

“I started my venture company for many reasons, but primarily to empower minority entrepreneurs.

“Not only do I feel like that doesn’t happen here, but I would support a business that profits from something that is so close to my cultural heritage.”

“I want to help bring boba to the masses, but not like this,” he concluded, rejecting the pitch.

In the end, Jessica and Sebastien accepted Manjit's offer of C$1 million (RM3.11 million) for 18 per cent.

Manjit herself has come under fire for being deaf despite being a person of color.

“That doesn't mean they don't have the opportunity to change and promote Boba's Asian connection,” she shot back at Liu as he questioned the pitch.

“They didn’t say no. If no one has told them that, you can’t blame them all for it.”

Bobba, Jessica and Sebastien as well as Manjit have come under fire on all social media platforms as Bobba and Manjit restricted comments on posts on Instagram and blocked negative comments.

Dragon's Den Canada's official TikTok, meanwhile, released a statement from Liu, which angered many even more, without either the production itself or Manjit saying anything about it.

https://www.tiktok.com/@dragonsden/photo/7424711838711041285?q=dragons%20den&t=1728790756898

Since then, Liu has called for an end to bullying and harassment against the company on TikTok on his personal TikTok, although he agrees that the business owners deserve criticism and that everyone has rightly expressed their disagreement.