Simu Liu recently sparked controversy on Dragons’ Den after criticizing the bubble tea brand Bobba for cultural appropriation. The Quebec-based entrepreneurs, Sébastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, sought a $1 million investment for their ready-to-drink bubble tea. Liu, the show’s first Chinese-Canadian Dragon, voiced his concerns about their portrayal of bubble tea, a drink with deep Asian roots. He challenged their claim of “disrupting” the market, stating, “There’s also the issue of cultural appropriation… taking something that’s distinctly Asian and ‘making it better.’”
Initially, fellow Dragon Manjit Minhas offered the requested $1 million for an 18% stake in Bobba. However, following significant backlash online, particularly from the Asian community accusing the brand of cultural erasure, Minhas retracted her offer. In a statement on Instagram, she said, “After more reflection, due diligence, and listening to many of your opinions, I cannot be investing in Bobba.”
In response to the situation, Bobba’s founders apologized, acknowledging Liu’s concerns and pledging to reevaluate their branding and marketing practices. Liu later emphasized the importance of avoiding harassment and encouraged using the incident as a “learning moment.”