Simu Liu criticizes Canadian Boba Tea Company for cultural appropriation concerns

Actor Simu Liu blasted a pair of Quebec entrepreneurs last week who went on to pitch a drink to Canada's version of “Shark Tank,” saying they “transformed” boba tea.

Sébastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, founders of a bottled popping boba and alcoholic bubble tea brand called Bobba, were seeking $1 million for 18% of the company.

The company's product, featured on the latest episode of CBC's “Dragon's Den,” has sparked concerns online about culturally appropriating the traditional Taiwanese drink, known as boba or bubble tea, which has become popular around the world.

The brand's presentation has sparked backlash from people who point out that traditional foods are often commercialized by people who ignore their cultural significance.

Fiset claims they've “transformed this beloved beverage into a convenient, healthy, ready-to-drink experience,” listing just three ingredients: high-quality tea, fruit juice, and Boba's “famous” Bobbing Boba. Their products include cans of alcoholic bubble tea, as well as grab packets of popping boba.

“We think this company could be worth $1 billion in the next five years, because it's so unique,” Fisset said. The company just finished its second year with $4.6 million in revenue and expects to make $7 million this year, he said.

After he took a sip from a bottle, Liu, who joined the show Thursday as a guest dragon, said he thought it tasted “good” but he was “concerned about this idea of ​​'disrupting' or 'disturbing' bubble tea.” Noting the possibility of cultural appropriation, he said he “takes issue with the idea of ​​taking something that's so distinctly Asian and making it better.”

Clips from the “Dragon's Den” episode gained traction online over the weekend, with many viewers supporting Liu and criticizing Bobba, as well as the other dragons — several of whom brushed off Liu's concerns and offered to invest in Bobba — For potential cultural benefits.

In response to the speech, Liu shared a TikTok video on Saturday saying that while he appreciated the support he had received online, he condemned the harassment and death threats directed at Bobba's founders by internet users.

“I think we're starting to lose the plot,” Liu said, “which is: Let's educate people. Let's make the world a better place. Let's make people aware that some things are not right from a cultural perspective.”

He added that while his fellow Dragons were also receiving some criticism online for their apparent dismissal on camera, they were “all ears” in the break room to hear more about Liu's perspective.

On Monday, Bobber's founders issued a statement on social media apologizing for “the harm we caused by our words and actions on the show,” adding that they take full responsibility and that Liu raised “very valid points” about cultural appropriation.

“We are committed to learning more about the effects of cultural appropriation to ensure we are equipped with the skills to work effectively cross-culturally,” the statement said.

Liu, a Chinese Canadian actor known for “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and “Barbie,” was taken aback as soon as Fiset and Frenet began their pitch.

“Dragons, you've probably heard of bubble tea,” Frenette said before Liu quickly added a sarcasm: “I've never, has anyone else heard of bubble tea? What is bubble tea? I've never heard of this stuff before in my life.”

The founders went on to describe bubble tea as “that trendy, sugary drink you line up for and you're never quite sure of its contents” and said “those days with Bobba are over” – prompting Liu to interrupt again: “Yeah on , Wait, I'm sure about its content, but go ahead.”

In Bobba's apology statement, the business owners clarified that their comments about being unsure of “its contents” and claiming their drink was “healthy” were intended to refer to other ready-to-drink products like them, not traditional Bobba. tea formula

During the episode, Liu's comments about cultural appropriation drew some disagreement and laughter from his fellow Dragons, some of whom called him out for starting the segment on a “heavy” note. Investor Manjit Minhas defended Bobba's founders, saying: “There could be something new to take here. Not everything has to be traditional.”

Fisset countered that popping boba makes the boba drink “no longer an ethnic product”. Minhas agreed that popping boba was new, saying he had never experienced it.

Bobba, according to Fiset, “took the version, the Asian version, and we made it with fruit, juice.” But popping boba, a topping that bursts with fruit juice when squeezed, has already been a popular choice on traditional Asian bubble tea menus for years — even if boba is often paired with squishy tapioca pearls.

In response to Liu's further questions about what honors the brand, “this very Asian drink,” the Bobba founders said the company works closely with a partner in Taiwan that develops the recipe and Boba.

“That's the best part, it's the cultural part of our product,” Fisset added.

One Dragon, Brian Scudamore, also questioned whether it was a good or bad decision to call the Boba Tea Company “Bobba”, the common name for the Taiwanese drink having the same pronunciation as “Boba”.

“I'm studying your can, and I'm looking for something that tells me where Boba is from and where Boba is from Taiwan,” said Liu, who is a general partner at venture capital fund Marham Valley Ventures. “You know, I started this venture company for many reasons, but really primarily to promote minority entrepreneurs.

“And I don't just 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,” he added. “I want to be a part of bringing Boba to the masses, but not like this. So that's why I'm out.”

Fiset and Frenet eventually accepted Minhas' investment offer, which met their initial request of $1 million for 18% of Bobba.

Representatives for Bobba and “Dragon's Den” did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In his video response on Saturday, Liu, who has been at the center of several online controversies in the past, urged his supporters to remember that bullying and harassment are “never okay.” He said he knows what it's like to be on the other side of the internet's wrath.

“Let's criticize each other. Let's critique this notion of cultural grace. Let's talk about it,” Liu said. “But what we're not going to do is threaten people's physical safety and make people feel unsafe and traumatize them that, honestly, they don't qualify as entrepreneurs who, in good faith, Tried to do a business.”