Red Velvet's Irene sparks health concerns over durian and alcohol pairing

While Red Velvet's Irene has drawn significant attention for showing a drunken side on broadcast for the first time since her debut, the combination of durian and alcohol she consumed has sparked unexpected controversy among overseas fans.

On the 14th, a video was released on the YouTube channel 'No Prepare' featuring Irene as a guest. Irene, who usually maintains a calm and restrained image, gradually relaxed while sharing drinks with MC Lee Young Ji.

As time passed, her intoxication became naturally apparent. During the conversation, Irene showed a side rarely seen on broadcast, such as momentarily losing her train of thought by asking, "What was I saying?" or expressing regret that the filming was ending by saying, "Is it ending like this?"

It was unusual for Irene to reveal such a near-intoxicated state on a program. Fans responded with fresh interest, commenting, "It's my first time seeing Irene drunk," and "This is truly the first time seeing her like this."

However, after the video was released, the attention of some overseas fans turned toward an unexpected source: the durian Irene ate alongside her drinks.

During the episode, Irene enjoyed the prepared durian. Unlike Irene, who typically likes the fruit, Lee Young Ji showed a contrasting reaction, appearing flustered by its characteristic strong scent, which drew laughter.

The issue began when some Southeast Asian fans perceived the consumption of durian and alcohol together as dangerous.

Comments expressed concerns such as, "It is better not to eat durian and alcohol together" and "It is a very dangerous combination." Some fans even expressed intense worry for Irene, using strong language suggesting the combination could even be life-threatening in severe cases.

However, the claim that eating durian and alcohol together can lead to death is difficult to establish as a scientific fact. While some studies have suggested that simultaneous consumption could affect alcohol metabolism, caution is needed before directly linking this to fatal poisoning or death.

Durian contains sulfur-containing compounds, and some research has explored how these components might interfere with the metabolism of alcohol. In the process of breaking down alcohol, ethanol is converted to acetic acid via acetaldehyde; if this process is disrupted, unpleasant symptoms such as facial flushing, headaches, or nausea may occur.

However, actual risk varies depending on various factors, including the amount consumed, individual health status, and alcohol intake. Therefore, defining the combination of durian and alcohol as an unconditionally "fatal food pairing" is an exaggeration.

Nevertheless, there is a cultural reason why overseas fans reacted sensitively. In several Southeast Asian regions, including Thailand, the warning against consuming durian and alcohol together has been widely known for a long time. In these areas, local health precautions often advise avoiding alcohol after eating durian.

Ultimately, Irene's appearance in this video garnered attention for two reasons: the rare, human side of a "drunk Irene" seen for the first time since her debut, and the health concerns raised by overseas fans regarding her nonchalant enjoyment of the durian and alcohol pairing.

While it was a standard mukbang scene for Irene, it was perceived differently by overseas fans whose cultural traditions and health common sense converged with the footage.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that Irene experienced any actual health issues based on the video. It is important to distinguish between fan concerns and the unverified claims of danger spreading online.