"K-Pop Demon Hunters" Cup Noodle Challenge Trend Leads to Rise in Pediatric Burn Cases
Expert Warns: "Children Must Participate Safely Under Adult Supervision"
As more American children imitate the cup noodle scene from the popular Netflix animation "K-Pop Demon Hunters," the medical community has issued warnings about the risk of burns.
According to the New York Times on September 29 (local time), Shriners Children's Hospital in Boston recently issued a statement on its website warning that a trend of posting videos on social networking services (SNS) of children eating cup noodles like the main characters in K-Pop Demon Hunters has led to burn accidents. The hospital stated, "Cup noodles account for about one-third of burn injuries among children. At Shriners Hospital, we see such injuries two to three times a week."
In particular, the cup noodles featured in the film have a tall and narrow container design, which makes it easy to spill when hot water is poured in and the container is lifted. Many of these containers are made from Styrofoam or thin paper, which do not insulate heat well and are difficult to hold, further increasing the risk.
Recently, on video platforms such as TikTok, numerous videos of children eating cup noodles have been posted with hashtags like "KPopNoodleChallenge" and "DemonHuntersRamen."
Dr. Colin Ryan of Shriners Hospital warned, "It's not about stopping kids from participating in trends, but they must do so safely under adult supervision," adding, "Even a single accident where cup noodles are spilled can leave a lifelong scar."
Cup ramen products from the K-Pop Demon Hunters collaboration displayed at a large supermarket in Seoul. Unrelated to the article. Yonhap News Agency
Dr. Jack Zhang, a plastic surgeon in Vancouver, Canada, cautioned, "Cup noodles have a narrow base and are filled with water, so even a slight shake can easily tip them over," and warned, "If hot water spills onto a young child's face, it can cause severe burns." He explained that boiling water can reach about 100 degrees Celsius, which can cause not only skin damage but also nerve injuries. Some products require microwave cooking, and many accidents occur during the process of removing them from the microwave.
A study published last year by researchers at the University of Chicago also found that, over the past ten years, 31% of pediatric scald burn hospitalizations were due to cup noodle accidents. Experts emphasize that a guardian must always be present when handling hot water, and if a burn occurs, the affected area should be cooled immediately with cold water and the child should be taken to the emergency room without delay.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
