What happened with Simu Liu and Bobba? Cultural appropriation scandal explained as boba tea company issues apology
Simu Liu recently received an apology from a bubble tea company, Bobba, after a controversy erupted on the show Dragons' Den, which airs on CBC. The show's format is similar to Shark Tank. On their October 10 episode, the investors, including Simu Liu, were approached by two contestants, Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, the owners of a Quebec bubble tea brand, Bobba.
However, the actor spoke to Fiset and Frenette, saying that he felt disturbed with the product and that the presentation could lead to cultural appropriation problems. Simu Liu also said:
"There's an issue of taking something that's very distinctly Asian in its identity and quote-unqoute 'making it better.'"
Simu Liu addressed the topic of cultural appropriation in a TikTok video on October 12 and said:
"What we're not going to do is threaten people's safety and make people feel unsafe and cause them trauma that, quite honestly, they don't deserve as entrepreneurs who, in good faith, attempted to pitch a business."
On the other hand, Bobba shared an apology post on their Instagram page on October 14, 2024, saying that they "needed some time" to realize the issues that emerged out of their presence in the CBC show. They also wrote:
"While it was never our intention to cause harm or disrespect the community that created and popularized this beloved drink, we take full responsibility for the impact of our actions. Additionally, Simu Liu raised very valid points regarding cultural appropriation and we welcome this learning opportunity."
Simu Liu's words were not well-received by the rest of the investors
During the episode of Dragons' Den that aired on October 10, 2024, Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette presented their brand Bobba by calling it a "trendy, sugary drink." Fiset said that their product is a ready-to-drink tea, adding that it is healthy as it's blended with fruit juice.
The duo was seeking $1 million in exchange for 18% of their brand, saying that they accumulated a revenue of $4.6 million in its second year and was expecting to earn $7 million in 2024.
The presentation led to heavy criticism of the brand on social media, where people addressed their concerns regarding the cultural appropriation of boba tea, which is a famous Taiwanese drink. As mentioned, the same issue was brought up by Simu Liu, one of the Dragons, who first took a sip of the tea.
Furthermore, Simu Liu also questioned Sebastien and Jess whether there was an Asian representation in their brand. The pair responded by saying that their partner is from Taiwan and the recipes are created by them.
Simu Liu has been a general partner of the venture capital fund Markham Valley Ventures and he addressed the same by saying that he launched it to help "minority entrepreneurs." Simu Liu also mentioned:
"I feel like this is not happening here, but that I would be uplifting a business that is profiting off of something that feels so dear to my cultural heritage. I want to be a part of bringing boba to the masses, but not like this. So for that reason, I'm out."
On the other hand, fellow investor Manjit Minhas refused to agree with Simu Liu, saying that everything doesn't need to be traditional and certain products can be given a new form if needed. Minhas also accepted the deal brought by Fiest and Frenette in the end.
Bobba's social media apology explained in detail
Although Minhas offered $1 million to Fiset and Frenette, the brand shared a lengthy statement as part of their apology on Instagram. They addressed a moment where they said "You're never quite sure about its contents" and added:
"We were not referring to the traditional bubble tea formula found in specialized shops, nor were we criticizing it. We can appreciate that this wasn't communicated effectively in the episode as English is our second language. What we were comparing it to is the other ready-to-drink products like ours found in big box stores."
They stated that their option of a healthy drink referred to the fact that they have removed the artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives from the drink. The statement read that the brand was trying to celebrate those who have loved their products, adding that they were not recreating boba.
The brand said that they take responsibility for the criticism that emerged due to their appearance on the show. The statement continued:
"It is clear to us that we should have called upon the expertise of our Taiwanese partners to shape the ways in which we give credit to the cultural roots of bubble tea and ensure cultural integrity by properly acknowledging its origins in Taiwanese culture."
They also stated that they would take all the necessary steps to ensure such issues never happen again and their participation in Dragons' Den has been a "valuable learning experience" for everyone involved with the brand.