Man pays Rs 2.3 lakh for Rs 1.1 crore ‘Discipline Challenge’, fails three times, sues organizers for justice

In China, a man named Zhang landed in court after spending 20,000 yuan (about Rs 2.3 lakh) on registration fees to join the ‘Self-Discipline Challenge’. Zhang failed three times, aiming for the grand prize of 860,000 yuan (about Rs 1.1 crore), leaving him frustrated and financially stressed.

The “Self-Discipline Challenge”, organized by the Xi’an Mulin Cultural Communications Company in northwest China, gave participants the chance to win big prizes if they could strictly adhere to strict rules while being monitored by surveillance cameras. Zhang’s troubles began last September when he scored at the highest level of the competition, lured by the allure of the grand prize. He paid an entry fee of 6,900 yuan per attempt, for a total of 20,000 yuan across three attempts.

Participants faced a difficult list of requirements: lights could only be turned on and off once a day, and only before 6 a.m.; Cameras were to remain unobstructed, with contestants ensuring their faces remained visible at all times, with no more than three seconds of obstruction allowed. In addition, drinking or covering the beer available in the room is strictly prohibited.

The challenge offered escalating rewards based on the duration of successful participation: 6,800 yuan for three days, 28,000 yuan for six days, and a grand prize of 860,000 yuan for 26 days. However, registration fees have also risen significantly as prize levels have risen, raising concerns about the fairness and accessibility of the competition.

Zhang’s attempts were full of setbacks. His first attempt ended within 24 hours due to a violation of the face covering rule. Determined to succeed, he recorded again the next day, but failed when his back inadvertently obstructed the camera while making his bed.

“I was unemployed at the time and in debt. After failing the first time, I felt I had enough experience to try again.

Chang refused to resign, and borrowed money from a friend to make a third attempt. This time, he lasted 10 days before being disqualified for accidentally covering beer bottles in the room.

A family member speculated that Zhang may have been the victim of a scam, prompting him to file a lawsuit against the Xian Mulin Culture Communication Company. The Xi’an court agreed to hear the case, although a trial date has not yet been set. Zhang’s lawyer criticized the challenge, describing its rules as “unreasonable and unfair,” saying that it imposed excessive psychological pressure on the participants.

“It’s not just about the financial loss; The lawyer noted that the issue is about how these challenges exploit vulnerable individuals, noting that the case could have broader implications for similar exploitative schemes.

Such challenges have gained momentum in China, but have also come under increasing scrutiny. In a recent case, a court in Shandong Province ordered a company to return 5,400 yuan to a participant who paid 6,000 yuan to enter a similar “quarantine challenge.” The participant was excluded because he inadvertently covered his face with a pillow while sleeping.