Simu Liu Confronts Bubble Tea Entrepreneurs Over Cultural Appropriation

Actor Simu Liu recently called out two Quebec entrepreneurs on the Canadian TV show Dragons’ Den for what he perceived as cultural appropriation in their pitch of a new bubble tea product. Sébastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, founders of Bobba, sought $1 million for 18% of their company, which sells bottled popping boba and alcoholic bubble tea. They claimed to have “transformed” traditional boba tea into a healthier, more convenient beverage with only three ingredients: high-quality tea, fruit juice, and Bobba’s signature popping boba.

Liu, a guest investor on the show, expressed concern over the commercialization and “disruption” of bubble tea, a beverage deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture. He specifically took issue with the idea of “making it better” and raised concerns about cultural appropriation, pointing out the product’s distinct Asian identity.

Online backlash followed, with many viewers siding with Liu and criticizing Bobba for profiting off an Asian cultural product without acknowledging its origins. Clips of the episode circulated on social media, amplifying the debate, with Liu’s comments sparking both support and controversy. Some of the other Dragons, however, dismissed Liu’s concerns, with investor Manjit Minhas defending the Bobba founders, stating that innovation doesn’t always need to adhere strictly to tradition.

@cbcgem This bottled bubble tea business pitches to celebrity Dragon Simu Liu and the rest of the Dragons (📺: Dragons’ Den) #dragonsden #simuliu ♬ original sound – CBC Gem

In response to the criticism, Liu shared a TikTok video, condemning the harassment directed at the Bobba founders, emphasizing the need for education rather than hostility. He reiterated the importance of addressing cultural appropriation constructively while denouncing the extreme reactions online.

Bobba’s founders later issued a public apology, acknowledging their missteps on the show and pledging to learn more about cultural appropriation. They explained that their comments about bubble tea’s content were aimed at other ready-to-drink products, not traditional recipes.

During the episode, Liu engaged in a tense exchange with the Bobba founders, sarcastically mocking their description of bubble tea as a “trendy, sugary drink.” He later questioned the company’s respect for the cultural heritage of bubble tea, especially since the name “Bobba” closely mirrors “boba,” the Taiwanese term for the drink. Fiset defended their product, claiming that their version with popping boba made it “not an ethnic product anymore.”

Despite Liu’s objections, Bobba secured the $1 million investment from Minhas, fulfilling their original request.

In his video, Liu, who has faced similar online controversies before, urged his followers to engage in thoughtful discussions on cultural appropriation while avoiding threats and harassment. He stressed the need to balance critique with compassion, especially toward entrepreneurs trying to innovate in good faith.