KPop Demon Hunters Trend Sparks Ramen Challenges, Triggering Burn Risks

The instant ramen scene from Netflix’s animated series *KPop Demon Hunters* has become a viral trend on social media, prompting warnings about health hazards. This is because fans are imitating the scene in the film where the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X recharges their energy with “ramyun” (Korean-style instant noodles) before fighting demons. Videos depicting attempts to replicate the ramen scene from the show are spreading across social media platforms such as Instagram. Popular food vlogger “Eat with Lulu” and many other users are posting videos of themselves eating *KPop Demon Hunters*-themed ramen, and major retailers like Walmart and Costco are also selling ramen products related to the film. Noting this trend, Shriners Children’s Hospital in Boston recently issued a warning about the burn risks associated with instant ramen. According to research from the University of Chicago, approximately one-third of pediatric burn cases are caused by instant ramen. Dr. Colin Ryan, a pediatric burn specialist at Shriners Children’s Hospital, stated that about one-third of the burn patients treated at his hospital suffer injuries from ramen broth, and 2 to 3 children are hospitalized each week due to burns from instant ramen. Cup ramen is particularly dangerous because its containers can easily tip over. Dr. Ryan explained, “At 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), it takes 3 seconds for an adult to suffer a second-degree burn. At 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius), the temperature of boiling water, a child can suffer severe burns very quickly.” The reason ramen-related burns are especially hazardous lies in the nature of the noodles themselves. Not only is the broth dangerous, but the noodles are also highly sticky, allowing them to stick to one area and retain heat for longer periods, thus causing deeper burns. Immediate first aid is crucial; Dr. Ryan emphasized, “The burn area must be cooled with cold running water for 20 minutes right after the injury. This method remains effective for 2 to 3 hours after the burn, so it’s never too late to provide emergency treatment even if it wasn’t done immediately.” However, only about one-third of children who seek medical attention for burns receive proper initial first aid. Although Dr. Ryan said it is impossible to determine exactly how much of the current burn cases are influenced by the *KPop Demon Hunters* trend, parents need to be careful to prevent their children from following this viral trend. Inadequate first aid can lead to permanent scarring and damage. Given medical warnings that conditions such as hypertrophic scarring or keloids can result in instability, continuous peeling, and significant pain and itching, extra caution is necessary.