The Dragons’ Den episode featuring Simu Liu’s clash with bubble tea company Bobba continues to dominate headlines, but the narrative has taken a complex turn. While the initial focus was on Liu’s accusations of cultural appropriation, the conversation has evolved to encompass online hate, investor backtracking, and a broader discussion about cultural sensitivity in business.
Liu, who initially called out Bobba for culturally appropriating the Taiwanese drink and framing it as a “healthier” and “better” alternative, has found himself in the unexpected position of defending the entrepreneurs from online vitriol. The criticism directed at Bobba founders Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette escalated to harassment and even death threats, prompting Liu to leverage his platform to de-escalate the situation.
Read more: ‘Dragons’ Den’: Simu Liu Calls Out Bubble Tea Company Bobba for Cultural Appropriation
“It’s never okay to make threats. It’s never okay to bully and harass online,” Liu asserted in a TikTok video, urging viewers to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to online violence. He reiterated this sentiment on Instagram, stating that while he stands by his critique of Bobba’s approach, the entrepreneurs “do not deserve any negative ill will.”
However, the Dragons’ Den response, which primarily amplified Liu’s statements, has drawn criticism for seemingly placing the burden of responsibility on him to manage the fallout.
Viewers have pointed out that the show has yet to acknowledge its own role in the controversy, particularly the dismissive reactions of other Dragons to Liu’s concerns. This has led to accusations of the show being “tone deaf” and failing to take accountability for contributing to a hostile environment.
“The way the Dragon’s Den has reposted a defence by Simu Liu rather than posting an apology is absolutely tone deaf,” wrote one Instagram user, echoing a sentiment widely shared online. “DO NOT victimise yourself after actively participating in the erasure of Asian culture. It’s very disappointing.”
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Investor Manjit Minhas, who initially offered Bobba a $1 million investment, further complicated the situation by announcing her withdrawal from the deal. This decision, while seemingly aligned with public sentiment, has been met with skepticism.
Some viewers have interpreted it as a calculated move to protect her own image and avoid association with a potentially controversial brand, rather than a genuine understanding of the cultural appropriation concerns raised by Liu. One commenter on Minhas’s Instagram post aptly summarized this perspective: “Translation: ‘The business appears to no longer be lucrative so I will not be investing anymore. I don’t see the cultural appropriation everyone is mentioning — but here is a script. Please leave me alone.'”
Bobba, in an attempt to quell the criticism, issued a lengthy apology on social media. They acknowledged the harm caused by their words and actions, attributing some of their missteps to language barriers. They also outlined plans to re-evaluate their branding and marketing to ensure a respectful representation of bubble tea’s Taiwanese origins.
However, this apology has also been met with mixed reactions, with some praising their willingness to learn and others criticizing it as a performative act of damage control. “This apology statement seems more of worrying about the sale than a true learning experience,” noted one skeptical commenter.
