Cultivated meat is about to take a big step into popular culture with its representation in a new Korean thriller series that will be broadcast on the Disney+ platform, titled “Blood Free.”
In the show, set in the year 2025, we will be able to follow the story of Yoon Ja-yu, CEO of BF Group, a biotechnology company that pioneers cultivated meat. Through the eyes of Ja-yu and her bodyguard, Woo Chae-woon, we will witness a world where cultivated meat is central to both the plot and the society depicted. With a renowned cast and a plot that combines mystery and technology, this series promises to bring cultivated meat to the center of attention of a global audience.
The appearance of a product relatively unknown to a large part of the public in a television show or film can have a significant impact on its widespread perception and acceptance. In the case of cultivated meat, its representation in a series like “Blood Free” not only exposes it to a broader audience, but also gives it cultural legitimacy and a platform to educate the public about its benefits and potential impact on society and the environment.
This type of exposure can catalyze a change in public perception and open new opportunities for innovation and growth in the food industry; However, it is important at this moment of development, where important steps are being taken in regulatory matters in different countries around the world, that the integration of cultivated meat into the collective imagination is done in a way that is not only entertaining, but also precise and educational.
Thus, this step of cultivated meat into pop culture is especially interesting at a time when its acceptance by consumers begins its journey towards its integration as part of the mainstream diet. While “Blood Free” is a work of fiction, its impact on public perception of cultured meat should not be underestimated. Accurate and engaging representation in the media can play a critical role in normalizing this food innovation and building a positive attitude towards it.
Eliminating prejudices
Historically, every novel product has faced challenges in public acceptance, ranging from concerns about taste to misconceptions about its production process.
In the past, we have seen how unrealistic or negative portrayals can harm public perception of cultivated meat. For example, in an episode of the series “Better Off Ted,” cultivated meat is portrayed as bland and negatively associated with the term “lab-grown.” These representations can perpetuate misunderstandings about cultured meat and hinder its public acceptance.
Series like “Blood Free” have the potential to challenge these perceptions by presenting cultured meat as an essential part of the food technology of the future.
In this sense, it is essential that the forms of projection of cultured meat in the media are balanced and accurate, highlighting the environmental and ethical benefits of this food innovation, and contributing to the normalization and acceptance of this food innovation.
“Blood Free” can mark the beginning of a new era in which cultured meat becomes an integral part of our culture, offering a more sustainable and ethical future for the world’s food.
