The account he used to post short videos has since been banned
A popular live streamer and influencer in China has died after swallowing large amounts of liquor. New York Post reported. His death comes days after another 34-year-old influencer also died in the same manner.
The tragic news was confirmed by the 27-year-old’s wife in a statement to local media outlet Jimu News, Asia’s Straits times reported.
The influencer named Zhong Yuan Huang Ge, also known as Brother Huang to his 176,000 social media followers, died on June 2 after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Baijiu, during a viral drinking challenge. The dangerous challenge is drinking Baijiua Chinese strong drink with a typical alcohol content between 30% and 60%.
One video showed Mr. Huang knocking down baijiu and lighting paper tissues soaked in alcohol, while another clip showed a pile of dozens of bottles.
The internet star’s wife, nicknamed Li, revealed that her husband was desperately trying to make money through live streaming to pay back the debt he incurred before his marriage.
Notably, Mr. Huang had just built a new house in the village this year, and the couple planned to earn some money to renovate it after sending their son to kindergarten this year. His wife said she would work for the rest of her life to pay off her husband’s debts of eight years Straits times.
Meanwhile, the account he used to post short videos has since been banned, Ms. Li told Jimu News.
His death comes after a livestreamer named Wang was found dead on May 16 after drinking at least seven bottles baijiu spirits on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. He was found dead 12 hours after the broadcast, Chinese media reported.
Mr. Huang was a close friend of Wang’s and had even attended his funeral, according to Chinese media outlet Southern Metropolis Daily. During the ceremony he would have promised to consume less alcohol.
Both deaths, in the space of a month, have now sparked a major investigation into the safety and regulations of such apps.
