Meet Sai, whose journey from engineering graduate to full-time content creator was already impressive—but his leap into the world of film took things to another level. Known for his relatable humour and Penang-rooted storytelling, Sai’s viral videos built him a loyal following and opened unexpected doors in the entertainment industry.
What started as writing and acting in skits for fun soon led to him landing a lead role in the local movie Follow Aunty La. His unique blend of creativity, cultural pride, and comedic timing helped him transition naturally from the digital screen to the silver screen—proving that passion and purpose can shape powerful career pivots.
How did your journey as a content creator begin, and what inspired you to branch out into acting?
I was actually an engineering graduate. Since I was young, I’ve always enjoyed watching YouTube videos, which sparked my interest in content creation. While working in Japan, I came across a video from MGAG, and they happened to be recruiting at the time.
Initially, I just wanted to join to learn more about the content creation industry. But shortly after I joined, some of the talents left the team, so they had no choice but to use me as an actor in the videos. That’s how it started. Eventually, I began writing scripts as well.
The first video script that I wrote went viral. From there, I continued writing, directing, and acting in most of the scripts. Later, I started my own company, and whenever opportunities came along, such as acting gigs, I’d take them up.
Can you share how you landed the lead role in Follow Aunty La, and what was the most memorable moment during filming?
You’d probably have to ask Mayiduo why he chose me, but I think it’s because, prior to the movie, we collaborated on a music video. I invited him to be our guest star because I wanted to create a music video about the story of Malaysians and Singaporeans—it had been a decade since the golden era of collaborations like NOC.
I thought it was time to reignite that spark, but this time in Chinese instead of English. Mayiduo is one of the most notable names in Singapore’s Chinese content scene, so I invited him to join. We grew closer after that, and then he asked if I wanted to be in the movie. I said, “Yeah, sure, why not?”
As for the most memorable moment, it was probably acting as a dog. In the original script, my character had to stay in dog form the entire time—unable to walk like a human. Thankfully, they revised the script to allow me to be human again.
But that scene was still tough. I had to bark like a dog, which I’m terrible at, and performing on my knees was painful. Even a few movements left me aching. It was definitely the most memorable part and probably the scene people remember best.
Being remembered for a particular type of character isn’t a bad thing—it opens doors. Once you’re seen as someone who can play a certain role well, opportunities start coming. So don’t fear typecasting.
As a Penang-based content creator, how does your local culture influence your work and storytelling?
Most of our content is based on local culture. Although we’ve now expanded to cover all of Malaysia and even Singapore, Penang remains our core focus—because it’s where I’m from and what I know best.
Initially, our content was small-scale and Penang-centric. But as we grew, I realised it was time to branch out and represent a broader Malaysian perspective.
You have #penangonebetter in your profile. Can you give us three things in Penang that you think are better than anywhere else in the world?
The food, for sure. The water too. And maybe even the air—it’s fresher! I’m kidding, but really, everyone has pride in their hometown.
Singaporeans are proud of their currency; for us Penangites, it’s our food. The Hokkien Mee is good. My favourite food is Penang Laksa.
What do you think makes a video go viral?
Relatability is key. If people can’t relate to your content, they won’t share it, and it won’t go viral. Every time we create content, we ask ourselves, “Can someone’s friend relate to this?” We even imagine specific people when scripting.
Sometimes, even the most niche content can blow up. For instance, our first viral video was “Mainland vs Island Penangites.” If you’re not from Penang, you probably wouldn’t care.
But for those who are, it was spot-on and highly relatable. Island folks felt a sense of belonging, and mainlanders totally got the jokes. That relatability made it explode.
What advice would you give to aspiring content creators who dream of one day starring in a movie?
Create with originality—and make sure you’re memorable. Nowadays, there are so many influencers out there, so you need to stand out. A lot of aspiring actors worry about being typecast, but honestly, that’s how people begin to recognise you.
Being remembered for a particular type of character isn’t a bad thing—it opens doors. Once you’re seen as someone who can play a certain role well, opportunities start coming. So don’t fear typecasting. Embrace it and grow from there.
What are some misconceptions people have about content creation?
That it’s easy. People think it’s just filming and uploading, but there’s a lot of planning behind the scenes. Good content goes viral because it’s well thought out.
Even trends you see online—like people asking strangers how much they pay for rent—those go viral because they tap into something deeper, like wealth curiosity. Everything’s strategic, not random.
Recently, we saw in your content that you were job-hopping. Is it because you can’t find a ‘real’ job?
Haha, yes. Honestly, with the influence I have now, I want to do something more meaningful. If I don’t do it, no one else will. I want to preserve dying cultures and stories—like rubbish collection or traditional jobs that are disappearing.
Before they’re completely gone, I want to show them to the world. I had this idea since last year. I feel it’s time to give back to Penang—it made me who I am. But moving forward, I want to expand beyond Penang to cover all of Malaysia.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
If I could have a superpower, I’d like to rewind time to when I first started content creation—so I could catch every trend and ride the wave perfectly. Basically, I’d have the cheat code!
Connect with Sai: Instagram and TikTok.
