Simu Liu Just Totally Called Out A Business For Cultural Appropriation On Canada’s Version Of “Shark Tank,” And It’s Sparking Tons Of Discussion
“What respect is being paid to this very Asian drink that has blown up around the world? And is it in your teas? Is it in your product development?”
Simu Liu, a Canadian actor who you probably recognize from Shang-Chi and Barbie, just called out a business over cultural appropriation concerns while on TV.
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Simu recently joined the cast of the TV show Dragons’ Den, which is the Canadian version of Shark Tank. On the show, entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to a group of investors — and Simu is a guest investor on this season. He’s also the first Chinese-Canadian “Dragon” in the show’s history.
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The show is airing on CBC, where Simu also worked on the show Kim’s Convenience. So he’s pretty much just coming back to his home turf!
During the third episode of the season, one business pitching their idea was a bubble tea company called Bobba based in Montreal. They sell grab-and-go-style bubble tea, including regular bottled bubble tea, to-go packs of popping boba, and an alcoholic bubble tea drink.
CBC / Via gem.cbc.ca
“We’ve transformed [bubble tea] into a convenient and healthier, ready-to-drink experience,” they said.
Their pitch started out light and easy. “Dragons, you have probably heard of bubble tea,” Jess Frenette, one of the business owners, began. Simu responded with a sarcastic, “I’ve never… has anyone else heard of bubble tea? What is bubble tea?”. The group shared some laughs, and the pitch continued.
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One of the other investors even said, “Simu was drinking bubble tea this morning!”
Jess along with Bobba’s other businessowner, Sebastien Fiset, proceeded with: “Yes, I’m talking about bubble tea: that trendy, sugary drink you are queueing up for, and you are never quite sure about its content. Those days are over with Bobba.” But Simu corrected them, saying, “Hang on. I’m quite sure about its content. But, continue.”
After trying samples of the drink, another investor, Arlene Dickinson, asked Simu if he liked it. “I thought it was fine,” he replied. “But I’m concerned about this idea of disrupting or disturbing bubble tea.”
Investor Manjit Minhas then asked Simu, “Why? There can be new takes on things. Not everything has to be traditional.”
In response, Simu explained, “No, but then there’s also an issue of cultural appropriation. There’s an issue of taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and quote-unquote ‘making it better,’ which I have an issue with.”
Sebastien replied with: “But it’s not an ethnical product anymore. Not with the popping bobas. So we took the Asian version and we made it with fruit, with juice…” and the pair continued to explain their business model.
“Clearly you’re doing very well,” Simu said. He then asked a series of super important questions. “What respect is being paid to this very Asian drink that has blown up around the world? And is it in your teas? Is it in your product development? Who is on your staff; who is on your cap table that is providing that for you?”
CBC / Via gem.cbc.ca
A “cap table,” in case you didn’t know, is short for “capitalization table,” and it’s basically a spreadsheet that details a company’s ownership. So he’s asking for more info about who owns percentages of the company.
“It’s a good question because our best partner is in Taiwan, actually. So they make all the recipes, all the boba,” Sebastien explained. “We travel to Taiwan; we speak with them. They’re part of our team. It’s really important for us. So that’s the best part — that’s the cultural part of our product.”
When it came for investors to make their offers, Simu had something very valuable to say. “I am studying your can, and I am looking for anything that tells me where boba came from. And where boba came from is Taiwan.”
“You know, I started this venture company for a lot of reasons, but really, primarily to uplift minority entrepreneurs,” he explained. “And not only do 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.”
Getty Images / Via gem.cbc.ca
The entrepreneurs responded to Simu’s bowing out with, “Respect that.”
Bobba, the business, did end up making a deal with investor Manjit Minhas. But ever since the episode aired on Oct. 10, clips of the pitch have gone viral on social media, with tons of users discussing their thoughts on the situation:
Simu Liu calling out two white business owners for creating a knock off Boba tea was the best thing ever
— 𓇢𓆸 bibble (@itsanion) October 11, 2024
“the popping boba is new, i can’t say i’ve had that” -Manjit Minhas
girl if it’s new FOR YOU doesn’t mean it new to THE WORLD bsff. honestly her vibe gave off i’m only making this deal to spite Simu Liu for having a problem with it #DragonsDen
— myopinions (@themyopinionss) October 11, 2024
I think we need to gatekeep non-poc cultural products from being capitalized and gentrified by yt people bc I just watched a video of simu liu ripping apart a a yt-owned boba business for cultural appropriation on dragon’s den and the other investors just. did not support him
— 🌅 a l y s s a 🌅 (@WVLKINGWIRE) October 11, 2024
Simu Liu calling out the yt people coming out with Bobba talking about “we’re making boba tea better” and judges ignoring his commentary on cultural appropriation is an example of having a seat at the table and still being ignored. Brands take note when entering cultural markets
— Allen (@llen___) October 11, 2024
