Emerging as a hot career choice among the aspirational youth of Cambodia, becoming a YouTube content creator promises the thrill of producing innovative videos that garner social media buzz while potentially generating supplemental income.
Thong Kimheng, a university student better known online as Oppa Heng, is one such creator who has tasted success by narrating popular stories and sharing his experiences.
A busy young video maker born in Svay Brateal commune’s Prek Tachor village of Kandal province’s Sa’ang district, 22-year-old Oppa Heng is simultaneously studying media and communication at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), and languages at the RUPP’s Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL).
Striking a balance between rigorous academics and video production initially posed a challenge, but his love for the craft quickly led him to dedicate more time to his videos.
From the beginning, Oppa Heng has paralleled content creation with his studies, capitalising on the skills he has gained academically.
“Every day of study was a journey into a wealth of skills that my schools provided, and also an opportunity to discover skills independently. In my pursuit, I realised the importance of creating more content. Because what truly mattered was investing in what I loved,” he explains.
Now, with four YouTube channels amassing over 700,000 subscribers, Oppa Heng is generating significant income from YouTube and product advertising. However, he insists that, initially, it wasn’t about the money. When YouTube underwent a system-wide monetisation shutdown that caused many creators to quit, Oppa Heng persevered out of passion for his craft.
“When I watched my own videos, I didn’t watch the number of earnings, but rather I watched the number of views, likes and comments on my videos,” he shares.
Having started video production in 2018, he gained recognition for his storytelling in March 2021.
He tailors his videos, filled with jokes and stories, to fit into 30-minute segments, catering to viewers who may not have an hour or two to spare. Not only do these videos save time, but they also help those with less English proficiency understand the narratives.
Initially creating gaming content, Oppa Heng saw the potential in YouTube and shifted to storytelling.
After producing about 10 videos, the public began to recognise Oppa Heng. With increasing likes and views, he no longer felt alone in his creative journey. However, the path wasn’t devoid of obstacles. Editing videos, narrating stories and subtitling in accordance with YouTube’s principles posed challenges.
“As content creators, it is imperative to grasp the principles and methods that govern video production and responsible content creation. The constant need to learn and apply these techniques is an essential part of the process.
“My initial videos may not have garnered much attention, but my passion for this career drove me to persist,” he said.
Motivation from his family, friends and viewers kept Oppa Heng going. The more his videos were shared, the more renowned they became.
He has words of wisdom for others interested in this career, suggesting that even if they’re not entirely sure, they should start if they enjoy it. He cautions about initial loneliness and challenges but is always happy to share his experiences with those interested in this career path.
