Canadian beverage company gets taste of controversy after Simu Liu raises cultural appropriation question | CNN

Controversy ensues for a Canadian drinks company when its founders unleash the wrath of a Marvel superhero on an episode of a “Shark Tank”-style reality series.

In a recent episode of CBC's “Dragon's Den,” actor Simu Liu appeared as a guest star and potential investor. The owners of a Quebec-based bubble tea brand called Bobba sought funding to grow their brand.

Bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea-based drink with tapioca balls that has grown in popularity in recent years.

Friction between Lew and Bubba owners Sebastien Fisset and Jess Frenet was visible early in their pitch. In setting up their product, Frenet described bubble tea as a “trendy, sugary drink” and suggested that consumers are “never sure of its contents.”

Liu interrupts Pitch and says, “Yeah, hang on. I am sure of its content, but go ahead.”

Fisset presents Bubba as a new spin on traditional bubble tea, saying he and Frenette have “transformed this beloved beverage into a convenient and healthy ready-to-drink experience.”

He added that they are “disrupting” the bubble tea market by using “three simple ingredients,” including high-quality tea, fruit juice and their Popping Bobba, which are edible pearls filled with fruit juice, according to the company's website.

Liu, who is Chinese-Canadian, took issue with how they qualified to “disrupt” the market with their product, calling it “cultural privilege.”

“There's something very distinctly Asian about taking on one's identity and 'making it better,' which I have a problem with,” Liu said.

When Liu later asked if there was any Asian representation on their staff, Frenet and Fiset said the company's “best partners” were based in Taiwan and made their recipes. According to the company's website, the flavors are “crafted” in Canada, while their pearls are “from our exclusive producer in Taiwan.”

Liu ultimately decided not to invest in the product, saying, “I want to be a part of bringing Boba to the public but not like this.”

“I started this venture company for many reasons but really primarily to promote minority entrepreneurs,” Liu said. “Not only do I think it's not happening here, but I'd rather grow a business that's profiting from something that seems so dear to my cultural heritage.”

The exchange has since sparked some backlash, prompting Liu, Bobba founder and “Dragon's Den” investor Manjit Minhas, who initially invested in the product on the show, to issue statements addressing the speech and calling for an end to the threats and harassment. Frenet and Fiset have since gotten online.

Liu posted a video on his TikTok page on Saturday in which he believes Fiset and Frenet came to “Dragon's Den” to pitch their business “in simple faith.”

“There were a lot of things with the pitch that I took issue with and I agreed with and as a result, I withdrew as a potential investor but that doesn't mean I believe they deserve harassment and threats. I think they should be given a lot of grace,” he said.

“Dragon's Den” echoed Liu in a statement on Saturday.

The company Bubba apologized “for the harm we caused by our words and actions on the show,” acknowledging in a statement Sunday that Liu “raised very valid points about cultural appropriation and we welcome this learning opportunity.”

Fisset and Frenette's “choice of words was misguided” when they discussed the cultural significance and origins of bubble tea on the show, the company said.

“We will reevaluate our branding, packaging and marketing strategies to ensure they reflect a respectful and accurate representation of our Taiwanese partnership and bubble tea's cultural roots,” the statement said.

Bobba's owners eventually struck a deal with Minhas, who offered them $1 million for an 18% stake in the company after he felt there could be a “new take” on such products that don't always have to be traditional.

Minhas announced Sunday that “after further reflection, due diligence and listening to many of your views,” he was no longer investing in Bobba.

“Dragon's Den” has aired for 19 seasons and is based on a Japanese show with the same concept, which premiered in 2001.