Get ready to redefine your idea of binge-watching—because it just got a whole lot more intense. Imagine streaming your favorite shows while tackling physical challenges, all for a chance to win a brand-new car. That’s exactly what went down at the sooka Gilerrr Streaming Challenge, held at Pavilion Bukit Jalil on November 29. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this the future of entertainment, or a wild stunt gone too far? Let’s dive in.
The event kicked off at 10 a.m. with 273 participants, all vying to prove their streaming stamina. The challenge? Continuously stream sooka while enduring a series of physical tests that pushed them to their limits. The final showdown was a doozy: contestants had to hold a can of drink above their heads without interrupting their stream. Talk about multitasking!
In the end, site engineer Vinoth Kumar emerged victorious, claiming the grand prize—a Proton e.MAS 5. “It’s unbelievable,” he said, still in shock. “I never thought I’d win the first prize. I feel incredibly lucky.” And this is the part most people miss: Vinoth wasn’t just there for the thrill; he’s a long-time sooka user who decided to test his luck, never expecting to sweep the competition. His wife and daughter were by his side during the prize-giving ceremony, making the win even sweeter. “My wife waited all day, taking care of our daughter while supporting me. It means so much to us,” he shared.
But Vinoth wasn’t the only one walking away with rewards. Finalists scored prizes like a Samsung TV, iPhone 17 Pro Max, MacBook Air, PlayStation 5 Pro, and more. Even the runners-up didn’t go home empty-handed—a testament to sooka’s generosity.
Astro Group CEO Euan Smith explained the event’s purpose: “sooka is all about innovation and local content that Malaysians love. This challenge was our way of showcasing that passion.” And it worked—the event earned a Malaysia Book of Records recognition for the Most Participants in a Streaming Multitasking Challenge. Smith added, “We launched sooka four years ago, and now we’re finally seeing it take off. This is just the beginning.”
The finals were a spectacle, with performances by singer Wani Kayrie and boy band ALPHA, plus appearances by actors Qasrina Karim and Mierul Aiman. But the real game-changer? The launch of sooka Shorts, a new microdrama feature inspired by short-form content trends on TikTok and Instagram. sooka director Chu Young Lee explained, “We’re focusing on what our customers want—quick, entertaining content they can enjoy during breaks or while traveling.”
With sooka Shorts, the platform positions itself as Malaysia’s homegrown leader in microdramas. Four new local series—Mandrem, Gadis Dihina Pemilik Empayar, Mak Kau CEO Aku, and Raja Fitnah—are set to debut on December 12. “Malaysian stories will be our biggest differentiator,” Chu said. But here’s the twist: sooka also plans to bring in shorts from Korea and China, sparking questions about its commitment to local content. Is this a smart move, or a dilution of its Malaysian identity? Let us know in the comments.
Selected sooka Shorts episodes will be free, while full access is available to Entertainment plan subscribers and above. As sooka continues to grow, one thing’s clear: it’s not just a streaming platform—it’s a cultural phenomenon. For more details, visit sooka and sooka TV stick.
So, what do you think? Is sooka’s approach to entertainment revolutionary, or a risky gamble? Share your thoughts below!
