Controversy bubbled for a Canadian drink company after its founders drew the ire of a Marvel superhero on an episode of a 鈥淪hark Tank鈥-style reality series.
On a recent episode of CBC鈥檚 鈥淒ragons鈥 Den,鈥 actor Simu Liu appeared as a guest star and prospective investor. The owners of a Quebec-based bubble tea brand called Bobba were featured, seeking funding to grow their brand.
Bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea-based drink with tapioca balls that has risen in popularity in recent years.
The friction between Liu and Bobba owners Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette was visible early . Setting up their product, Frenette described bubble tea as a 鈥渢rendy, sugary drink鈥 and suggested that consumers are 鈥渘ever quite sure about its contents.鈥
Liu interrupted the pitch to say, 鈥渉ang on, hang on. I am quite sure about its content, but continue.鈥
Fiset pitched Bobba as a new spin on traditional bubble tea, saying he and Frenette had 鈥渢ransformed this beloved beverage into a convenient and healthier ready-to-drink experience.鈥
He added that they are 鈥渄isturbing鈥 the bubble tea market by using 鈥渢hree simple ingredients,鈥 including high quality tea, fruit juice and their Popping Bobba, which are edible pearls filled with fruit juice, according to the company鈥檚 .
Liu, who is Chinese-Canadian, took issue with how they qualified 鈥渄isturbing鈥 the market with their product, calling it 鈥渃ultural appropriation.鈥
鈥淭here鈥檚 an issue of taking something that鈥檚 very distinctly Asian in its identity and 鈥榤aking it better,鈥 which I have an issue with,鈥 Liu said.
When Liu later asked if there is any Asian representation within their staff, Frenette and Fiset said the company鈥檚 鈥渂est partner鈥 is based in Taiwan and creates their recipes. According to the company鈥檚 website, the flavors are 鈥渃rafted鈥 in Canada, while their pearls are 鈥渇rom our exclusive producer in Taiwan.鈥
Liu ultimately opted not to invest in the product, saying, 鈥淚 want to be a part of bringing boba to the masses but not like this.鈥
鈥淚 started this venture company for a lot of reasons but really primarily to uplift minority entrepreneurs,鈥 Liu said. 鈥淣ot 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.鈥
The exchange has since spurred some backlash, resulting Liu, the Bobba founders and 鈥淒ragons鈥 Den鈥 investor Manjit Minhas, who initially invested in the product on the show, to release statements addressing the discourse and calling for an end to the threats and harassment Frenette and Fiset have since received online.
Liu on Saturday posted a to his TikTok page to say he believes Fiset and Frenette came on 鈥淒ragons鈥 Den鈥 to pitch their business 鈥渋n good faith.鈥
鈥淭here were a lot of things with the pitch that I took issue with and I disagreed with and as a result, I pulled out as a potential investor but that doesn鈥檛 mean that I believe that they deserve harassment and threats. I think a lot of grace should be afforded to them,鈥 he said.
鈥淒ragons鈥 Den鈥 echoed Liu in a on Saturday.
The company Bobba apologized 鈥渇or the harm we have caused by our words and actions on the show,鈥 acknowledging in on Sunday that Liu 鈥渞aised very valid points regarding cultural appropriation and we welcome this learning opportunity.鈥
Fiset and Frenette鈥檚 鈥渃hoice of words was misguided鈥 when they discussed the cultural significance and origins of bubble tea on the show, the company stated.
鈥淲e will re-evaluate our branding, packaging, and marketing strategies to ensure that they reflect a respectful and accurate representation of our Taiwanese partnership and bubble tea鈥檚 cultural roots,鈥 the statement read.
The Bobba owners ultimately made a deal with Minhas, who offered them $1 million for an 18% stake in their company after saying she thinks there can be 鈥渘ew takes鈥 on products like this that don鈥檛 always have to be traditional.
Minhas on Sunday that 鈥渁fter more reflection, due diligence and listening to many of your opinions,鈥 she鈥檚 no longer investing in Bobba.
鈥淒ragons鈥 Den鈥 has aired for 19 season and is based off a Japanese show with the same concept, which premiered in 2001.
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