Canadian drink company tastes controversy after Simu Liu raises cultural appropriation questions

By Alli Rosenbloom, CNN

(CNN) — Controversy bubbled for a Canadian drink company after its founders drew the ire of a Marvel superhero on an episode of a “Shark Tank”-style reality series.

On a recent episode of CBC’s “Dragons’ Den,” 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 in their pitch. Setting up their product, Frenette described bubble tea as a “trendy, sugary drink” and suggested that consumers are “never quite sure about its contents.”

Liu interrupted the pitch to say, “hang on, hang on. I am quite sure about its content, but continue.”

Fiset pitched Bobba as a new spin on traditional bubble tea, saying he and Frenette had “transformed this beloved beverage into a convenient and healthier ready-to-drink experience.”

He added that they are “disturbing” 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 “disturbing” the market with their product, calling it “cultural appropriation.”

“There’s an issue of taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and ‘making it better,’ which I have an issue with,” Liu said.

When Liu later asked if there is any Asian representation within their staff, Frenette and Fiset said the company’s “best partner” is based in Taiwan and creates 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 opted not to invest in the product, saying, “I want to be a part of bringing boba to the masses but not like this.”

“I started this venture company for a lot of reasons but really primarily to uplift minority entrepreneurs,” Liu said. “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.”

The exchange has since spurred some backlash, prompting Liu, the Bobba founders and “Dragons’ Den” investor Manjit Minhas, who initially invested in the product on the show, to release statements and call for an end to the threats and harassment Frenette and Fiset have since received online.

Liu on Saturday posted a video to his TikTok page to say he believes Fiset and Frenette came on “Dragons’ Den” to pitch their business “in good faith.”

“There 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’t mean that I believe that they deserve harassment and threats. I think a lot of grace should be afforded to them,” he said.

A representative for CBC, the Canadian broadcaster that airs “Dragons’ Den,” told CNN in a statement on Tuesday that the series “brings investors and entrepreneurs together to learn from one another through honest feedback and healthy debate”

“This particular segment has sparked an important conversation but unfortunately a lot of online bullying of show participants at the same time. Many people have shared their thoughts and opinions in a respectful manner but we certainly do not condone the hurtful comments made by others. We support the calls for this harassment to stop immediately,” the statement read.

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

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

“We 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’s cultural roots,” 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 “new takes” on products like this that don’t always have to be traditional.

Minhas on Sunday announced that “after more reflection, due diligence and listening to many of your opinions,” she’s no longer investing in Bobba.

“Dragons’ Den” has aired for 19 season and is based off a Japanese show with the same concept, which premiered in 2001.

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