Korean streaming platform SOOP unveiled a user-generated clip system called “Catch” designed to boost viewer engagement as competition heats up in the country’s live streaming market.
The platform, which rebranded from AfreecaTV in April 2024, faces mounting pressure from rivals including Naver-backed Chzzk, which has gained significant traction since Twitch’s departure from Korea.
The Catch feature allows viewers to capture and share brief moments from live broadcasts, creating what SOOP describes as a “content recycling ecosystem.” These user-created clips can be reshared across social media platforms and within SOOP’s own recommendation feeds, according to the company’s announcement Tuesday.
The move aligns with broader industry trends, as short-form video content continues to dominate social media engagement in 2025, with 90% of consumers watching short-form videos daily on mobile devices.
SOOP is particularly targeting creators who focus on pre-recorded video content rather than live streaming. The platform promises enhanced curation features, ranking systems, and promotional support for these “VOD streamers.”
The Korean streaming landscape shifted dramatically after Twitch shut down its Korean operations in February 2024, leaving approximately 95 million monthly hours of viewership for local platforms to capture. While SOOP has maintained steady performance, newcomer Chzzk briefly overtook it in December 2024 with 100 million hours watched.
The success of SOOP’s clip strategy remains uncertain as Korean platforms work to rebuild audience engagement following the industry upheaval.
