When you think of Mukbang YouTubers, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the sheer spectacle of watching someone demolish mountains of food. But what if I told you that behind that delicious facade, there's a surprising financial reality? On July 30, 2025, Tzuyang, one of the biggest names in the Mukbang world, opened up about her staggering income on MBC’s Radio Star, and what she revealed left everyone a bit stunned.

With a jaw-dropping 12.2 million subscribers, Tzuyang's popularity is undeniable. During the broadcast, host Kim Gura, who once made a decent living creating golf content, shared that he earned between ₩30 million to ₩40 million KRW (roughly $21,500 to $28,700 USD) monthly during his peak. You could feel the curiosity in the air as the MCs turned their attention to Tzuyang, eager to discover just how much this Mukbang queen takes home.

When asked about her earnings, Tzuyang didn’t hold back. "If you estimate my channel earnings at ₩100 million KRW (about $71,800 USD) a month, there were times in the past when I made much more than that. But there are times when I earn much less. The more that comes in, the more that goes out,” she explained with candid honesty. She elaborated that despite the impressive figure, the reality of running her own restaurant and employing multiple staff means that her actual profits are much lower than one might expect. "I have a lot of employees, and I run a restaurant too, so the food costs are huge. The actual profits aren’t as high as people might think,” she confessed.

Tzuyang's transparency sheds light on a common misconception in the influencer economy: just because someone appears to be raking in the dough doesn't mean they’re pocketing all that cash. The truth can be far more complex, and in Tzuyang's case, her hard work and expenses mean much of her income gets reinvested into her business. It's a reminder that behind the glamorous façade of viral fame, there are real-life challenges and financial responsibilities.