VLOG #21 -- Do NOT mess around here! TWO CRAZY WEEKS in South Korea, Taipei, and Hong Kong

Yes, I saw North Korea, and lemme tell you -- the DMZ is no joke! We had to show our passports at a military checkpoint, and weren't even allowed to have our phones during one part of the tour.
But that was just one part of one day during a truly EPIC two-week adventure in Asia. I traveled here with six friends, met up with a bunch of locals, ate ALL THE FOOD including a ton at various night markets and my first Michelin restaurant. I attended two MLB games at the Gocheok Sky Dome as part of the Seoul Series, and yes there's some footage of Shohei Ohtani in this video (plus Mookie Betts, Manny Machado, Yu Darvish, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and many other bigtime players on the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres). I also got to see a friend's INSANE collection of commemorative balls and fitted baseball caps at his home in Hong Kong. So there's plenty of baseball stuff in this video and a whole lot of other stuff.
There were museums, cable cars, ferry rides, light shows, a painfully cramped Airbnb, an awkward fan interaction (some random dude pretended to kiss me when we had our pic taken!), a cat cafe, a live jazz performance, a failed attempt to go sightseeing in thick fog, seafood that I was too scared to eat, observation decks on skyscrapers, temples, palaces, dance squads, stray dogs, noisy birds, party districts, endless shenanigans with my friends (shoutout to the matcha powder at the conveyor belt sushi place), and I received a GORGEOUS baseball glove for free which I started to break in with the famous Taipei 101 tower in the distance.
It's hard to pick my favorite place or moment of the trip, but I absolutely LOVED visiting Peng Chau, which is a residential island with no cars in Hong Kong. I don't even know how to describe it, but thankfully I don't have to because I filmed lots of stuff there.
Want to follow me and my friends on Instagram?
Me -- @zack_hample
Benny -- @benny_bang_bang
Jen -- @astoriabout
Greg -- @2_gregz
Josh -- @joshalex3.0
Jaxon -- @coachellagloves
JeongEun -- @jeungrace
Vicky -- @vyxun
Zach -- @officialgameballs
Sheldon -- LOL nope!
Rachel -- Also nope!
Yeon Ho -- Also ALSO nope!
This video was filmed from March 16-31, 2024. Thanks to Rachel for getting a bunch of shots of me throughout our journey, and thanks to all my friends for being (mostly) cool with the fact that I was constantly filming. I certainly think it was worth it. This video has somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 clips (does anyone want to count?) and it took me FOREVER to edit, but damn I love it and I'm so glad to be able to share it. Thanks for watching!

[@Ayden_Tempesta]

This vlog was SOOOOOOO WORTH THE WAIT! You seriously did an amazing job on it Zman. Genuinely wish I had friends like you do with the gang, and super happy you all had an amazing time. A trip none of you will ever forget!

[@zackhample]

Many many thanks! I'm so happy with how it turned out, and I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

[@jasonburritt5890]

@@zackhamplegreat video I love your channel!

[@MuchieDelivery]

This video editing is amazing. I stayed glued and loved all the different scenery. Good job man 👍

[@zackhample]

That means a lot. I know this style isn't for everyone, but personally it's fun for me.

[@masonseigel4762]

This was amazing, Zack! Great job and glad you enjoyed your trip! Good luck this season!

[@Chrisb8s]

your videographer birding in Seoul and Taipei is the cutest thing. We want to visit, the food looks amazing. This is the best travel vlog I have seen. I feel like I am there.

[@zackhample]

I've learned so much about birds from her. You need to make it here and I'm so happy that you enjoyed the video so much.

[@LPT12.]

The Laugh of Benny will never get old.. 😂😂😭

[@zackhample]

Facts! He's the best.

[@zac_gutherman]

"I can always catch up on sleep . . . after the World Series" might be quote of the year! Put that on a t-shirt!! Such a great vlog, looks like it was an amazing trip!!

[@zackhample]

Haha, maybe I should! Thank you for watching and sorry you didn't get to edit this one, but I wanted the fun/challenge for myself. :p

[@fernandomartinezreyna1836]

This video is HILARIOUS!!! Keep making blogs Zack. It looked like so much fun.

[@zackhample]

Glad you liked it!

[@CameronChandler-os3vi]

Zack! This was a really fun VLOG to watch. I loved your Japan VLOGS and these were even better. Keep it up!

[@zackhample]

Thanks so much!

[@wanttogetupgoahead]

Gregg is the best. Love seeing him in your content. Great trip, btw. Thanks for sharing, Zach!

[@aidanfinkofficial]

This was AMAZING!!! Thanks for capturing all the action both here and on your insta story while you were on this trip. I truly enjoyed seeing you living your best life. Great stuff. Never too much food for you, haha.

[@zackhample]

There's no such thing as too much food! And thanks -- glad you enjoyed this one so much.

[@ksl4688]

I was looking for you here 😢 but I'm glad you had good time in Korea 😂 I was also at the first game at Gocheok ⚾️

[@zackhample]

Aww, well I'm glad we were both there at the dome.

[@AlexSmith-hj4kf]

Zack I love your videos so so much. I have anxiety from a traumatic experience I had in life and your videos make my day and bring me happiness. I’m a huge MLB a fan.

[@zackhample]

I'm sorry about the trauma but really glad to hear that you enjoy my videos. Hang in there!

[@_zay_4483]

Awesome vids as always Zack. Keep it up

[@zackhample]

Thanks, will do.

[@mattthornton8474]

Zack, you and the people around you are living your best lives. Not even halfway through, I realize I'm watching what is the best video I've seen posted by you yet of at least 100 I've watched. I'm not always a fan of montage videos, but the content, sequencing and pacing on this is outstanding in every way.

[@mouthofdasouth420]

Amazing vlog zack . Also some top tier editing

[@zackhample]

Thank yoooooou!

[@813Vince]

Been waiting for this!

[@zackhample]

The wait is overrrrrr!

[@hotjoe76]

This video felt like I was with you all. It was well worth the wait since you had to edit the main different shots you took. These may be places I will never get to visit but who knows what the future holds. Great job and love watching your videos.

[@davidchodds]

The food looks amazing! I'm very glad you made this video.

[@zackhample]

I'm very glad that you enjoyed it.

[@austin5019]

Very cool, Zack! You definitely take us on journeys with your videos!

[@zackhample]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@LaidbackAF]

One of your best videos to date!

[@user-hk7gu8un2q]

It’s nice to see you back Zach really missed you 👍

[@LightningWolf127]

Hey Zack i just wanted to thank you for helping me get through a terrible and depressing week anyway love the vids keep up the amazing work 😎

[@zackhample]

You are very welcome. Hang in there!

[@amberpatterson6865]

That was such a neat experience!! Loved the video

[@zackhample]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@SilverNightKyle]

An extraordinary adventure, kiddo! Thank you for taking us along and sharing…💜

[@zackhample]

Always!

[@user-fb2nk1pn5m]

yes love this type of video would love to see more

[@vinnygognitti8858]

South Korea looks amazing what a awesome trip Zack hope you had and your friends really enjoyed it ⚾⚾

[@zackhample]

Thanks, we sure as hell did.

[@Off_the_field_sports88]

Hey Zack! I love the vlogs! Happy baseball catching!!!

[@zackhample]

Hey, thanks!

[@Off_the_field_sports88]

Hey, no problem!!!

[@dukem991]

Great video loving the trip to south korea...great vacation

[@Singing-Songs-by-Cycle]

Such a cool and interesting vlog!! 😊❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@brianbsully173]

This is awesome !

[@ernestbonanza]

Really great video. Exactly the same moment that the video has ended, my door ringed, and the courier delivered my Topps 2024 Series One Hobby Box order. What a coincidence, ha? Let's see if I am going to pull any hits now! This must be a good sign, man I am so hyped RN! I trust you, Zack! I love you man, great trip!

[@zackhample]

That IS a good sign. Hope you pulled some gems!

[@ernestbonanza]

@@zackhample I pulled sh#!, Zack! I pulled nothing, man! Just a ton of duplicates. I blame the Topps tho. Their ratio is awful… I don't blame you Zack, I still love you, I always carry your books with me regardless what other books I am also reading

[@skgrizz]

Fun vlog to watch! They really hit it off with the light shows in Seoul!

[@zackhample]

They sure did, especially Starbucks, haha.

[@jaybarnes8034]

Glad you were able to share the experience with your friends.

[@zackhample]

Thanks!

[@LollyTrollyProds]

First view! Zack i love your videos! Hope to meet you sometime

[@zackhample]

Hey!n Thanks for being ultra early, and hopefully our paths will cross sometime soon.

[@BuckNZ]

love the content man! will you be going to a braves home game this season?

[@zackhample]

Thanks but I'm really not sure.

[@LEWD98]

Only 2 minutes into this video and I had to comment. I just want to tell you thanks for making such entertaining videos. My daughters and I love watching your content and also want to say thanks for keeping your videos kid friendly. Some other You Tube channels have become more inappropriate lately and it really gets annoying. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@zackhample]

Thanks! I do my best. There are perhaps a few PG moments in this video but overall I try to keep it clean.

[@drmauriciodiaz]

Zack, I think you just posted your “Citizen Kane”! What a wonderful video (and adventure). Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@zackhample]

Thanks so much!!!

[@stevenlopez2521]

We love these travel videos, my wife was asking the other day has Zack uploaded any travel vlogs lol

[@zackhample]

Aww, thanks! Hope you both enjoyed this one.

[@stevenlopez2521]

@@zackhampleyou’re welcome 🙏🏽

[@Logan-sj9oc]

That is a amazing view of South Korea right Zack 👏👏💯💯

[@zackhample]

Thanks!

[@2365police]

You must be exhausted… you put so much experience in this video it was much better than those professional travel vlogs… the food experience was fun to watch and the sites you visited were intriguing… great video… we need more of these.. looks like Rachel had some days off in this video 😂

[@zackhample]

The trip was exhausting and the editing process was exhausting, but sooooo glad I did both!

[@DFW817]

Great video man!

[@zackhample]

Thanks!

[@sylvaincote6757]

"Grandiose" Zack that was great!!!!!

[@user-jb6tc3ss3u]

You came to Korea!! I enjoyed the previous Fenway Park Ohtani video. it was an amazing video. I was able to see the players right in front of me Welcome to Korea. .한국에 오신걸 환영합니다, ~~

[@BasketballAndBeyond20]

1 hour! Yes sir zach

[@sdyeg73]

Zack.. nothing against your BBall vids but this a master piece...the storytelling, quick edits to keep engaged.. i think/should you can start a second channel for travel. please keep up the great work!!!

[@zackhample]

No offense taken. I reeeeeally appreciate that. :)

[@brucer2152]

Great video Z..

[@zackhample]

Thank you.

[@lowrollerscraps2477]

Great adventure and video! Repping the Guilford College shirt abroad! Hello from Winston-Salem, NC.

[@zackhample]

Hello, NC!!

[@benshiau]

Oh my god! The place you guys were staying in Taipei is right next to my home! Welcome to Taipei! Hope you had a great time!

[@zackhample]

Very cool. And thanks!

[@Akina_no_Hachiroku]

It was a great trip! I thought it would be great for you to experience a KBO game with passionate cheering, but unfortunately, this trip was to watch the Seoul Series. Next time you visit Seoul again, I recommend watching a KBO game. I enjoyed the video!

[@zackhample]

I appreciate that recommendation, and I'm glad you liked the video.

[@renegade44040]

Amazing!

[@deakosteal]

So nice to meet you at the airport man! Thanks for the selfie!

[@zackhample]

Heyyyyy! You're welcome. :)

[@deakosteal]

@@zackhample you missed victoria peak!

[@brett7236]

Nice to see you enjoy yourself instead of grinding game to game to game 🤙

[@zackhample]

Thank you! It was great to enjoy some non-baseball action.

[@jonathanlovo7391]

i like the video very much Zack nice work

[@zackhample]

Thanks!

[@jorvan6910]

Good night from Chicago Zack, OMG you really went to Taipei 101. We didn't get luck because we went back to Taiwan from Jan to Feb and also went to the same night market. Hopefully you enjoy Taiwan. I think one day TPE dome will have first MLB game. I wish kids will see you there and bring you to somewhere you haven't been to, food as well!

[@zackhample]

Goodnight from Manhattan. I really hope MLB plays there because I need an "excuse" to go back.

[@jorvan6910]

@@zackhample Cant wait that day coming, kids will be excited. I will watch video with them again. Most of places you been that almost same like us. I have never been to 101(Viewing platform) until this year because they keep saying 101,101,101. My hometown is only 10 mins away and also can see 101 from top floor so that's why. Anyway hopefully you got fun and good experience from TW and wish to see you again. The game we met you in WS field really gave me different idea to watch baseball, it's fun also made them happy not just watching baseball only. Thanks again!

[@jorvan6910]

Kids watched video and talked over 20 times 101...so funny

[@SilverNightKyle]

Food, glorious food…🎶 Trip seemed to be a foodie’s daydream…🍱

[@zackhample]

You know it. And then two weeks later I got food poisoning in frickin Florida! 🤦‍♂

[@peytonclark1353]

Zack u should do more vlogs. I always love the vlogs

[@zackhample]

I'll do my best. That's nice of you to say.

[@Colts.Prodzzz]

ZACH YOU LISTENED!!! THANK YOU!!! And a great vid, I have always wanted to go!

[@RyanEatsLemonade]

Oh my god.. 1 hour long? YESS!!

[@zackhample]

:D

[@jhaelalejandromr.jevangeli8669]

@Zack Hample excellent job on the new vlog more baseball videos are on the way zack hample let’s keep this season going

[@zackhample]

You know it. Lots more baseball stuff on the way.

[@T.C.216]

From the US. I lived 3 years in South Korea and loved every minute of it!!!!

[@todd_on_bikes]

Tetris is cool. But do you Dr. Mario? That's my jam, Z. That's my jam.

[@zackhample]

I love that game and would loooove to play you sometime.

[@todd_on_bikes]

@@zackhample typically, I only game in solitude late at night while listening to podcasts on Spotify. But if you stay with us next time you’re visiting T-Mobile, we can make this happen. 😉👍🏼

[@therunningwes]

I really wish I could eat as much as you. i think that's your true talent 🤣 We felt so bad when we went to NYC in December, because we barely ate while we were there. Missed out on so much.

[@zackhample]

I think you're right. Just ordered a pizza to be delivered at 12:30am because why not!

[@aidanfinkofficial]

@@zackhampleI’m eating pizza right now at 1:21 am!

[@mattcripps4087]

Love seeing the kitty cats

[@charliem9831]

As someone that gets a panic attack just thinking of traveling, I appreciate you taking us with you on this trip. Some really cool stuff in this video.

[@zackhample]

Aww, thanks. Glad to "bring" you along for the ride.

[@ericdodson3630]

How good was that Chocolate covered pretzel??? It looked amazing

[@zackhample]

It was good but not life-changing.

[@markbakovic4978]

Zack nice trip but did guys ever stop EATING, thank you for sharing God Bless

[@aidanfinkofficial]

This whole vlog was Zack eating!!!

[@zackhample]

We never stopped. :D

[@SkrimmTV]

Hey Zach I saw you at the Yankkes game aswell your a busy man

[@BiillJill]

Crazy how far it is

[@chrisvann5642]

Fenway Chris may not have a Job anymore............Great video

[@zackhample]

Aww, haha. I will always love that man, and we're talking about filming together this year at some point.

[@research1586]

. WAS NICE KNOWING YOU .

[@peytonclark1353]

Hopefully someday I can take a trip like this

[@zackhample]

I hope so too.

[@lootinqv1734]

sick video

[@zackhample]

Glad you liked it!

[@wmst5065]

Zack and Benny Bang-Bang at the DMZ, what could possibly go wrong?!

[@zackhample]

Benny actually didn't join us at the DMZ, haha -- just as well!

[@jones5529]

Zack have u decided if u will be in baltimore this weekend?

[@zackhample]

I'm replying to this comment from . . . BALTIMORE!

[@mercygarcia-ui8tc]

I knew you were going to do it

[@rileymoran841]

Hey Zack, you should come to the midnight sun game in Fairbanks, Alaska.

[@zackhample]

I would love to visit Alaska someday, baseball or no baseball.

[@rileymoran841]

@@zackhample Might be biased as I was the batboy for them for a handful of games in 2021-2023 but the Goldpanners play some of the best college summer baseball I've seen.

[@ThatC1official]

Need to finish the video you filmed at Beloit

[@zackhample]

Maybe I can make it back someday.

[@SilverNightKyle]

It’s Zack! Mr. Hample if you’re (Dy)nasty! 🎶🤣

[@zackhample]

Hahahaha

[@mrgonzale0978]

South Korea has some pretty good KBO baseball teams. I started watching thanks to espn that were showing games during the pandemic.

[@SilverNightKyle]

I rang in New Year’s 1989 on a naval ship in Kowloon Bay, was the biggest fireworks display I’ve ever seen…🎇🎆 Did 5 back & forth flights from US to Asia between ‘88 & ‘92, one of those being North Carolina to Japan, back to Indianapolis, back to the Orient, on to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait & Iraq from there, then back to the east coast, doing a lap and a half around the globe in about a 9 month timespan (the life of a Marine), making jet lag an everyday occurrence, it seemed…😵‍💫

[@zackhample]

Wow! You've been around!

[@vickysunmusic]

Come baaaack we miss you already! I will have matcha waiting for you 😈

[@zackhample]

VICKYYYYYY!!!! Aww, hi. I'm sooooo here for matcha part 2. Thanks for everything. You are officially the best.

[@JJ-yc9dg]

Zack how do you stay so lean with eating as much as you do?!!

[@zackhample]

I'm not sure. I'm pretty active and barely ever drink calories.

[@gavinhorowitz7462]

Hi Zack u are the best

[@zackhample]

Thanks!

[@aidanfinkofficial]

This is amazing. Screw doing the tons of schoolwork I should be doing right now. Do it later.

[@zackhample]

This is the way.

[@zac_gutherman]

I had the same reaction, but replace schoolwork with "video editing."

[@aidanfinkofficial]

@@zac_gutherman hahaha

[@breeajc4051]

W vid

[@zackhample]

:D

[@SilverNightKyle]

The DMZ is now a tourist spot!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣 Was a little bit different back in the Cold War days…🤪

[@zackhample]

Haha, I can only imagine.

[@anolan8033]

If a home run ball was headed into the DMZ, would Zack try to catch it?

[@zackhample]

OH YES!

[@johncole273]

I love Zack Hample

[@zackhample]

[@keithpowell3433]

i see some soju on the dinner table!

[@viengkhaidaraseng8608]

Nice content 😂

[@ericdodson3630]

My grandfather who passed away in 2020 at the age of 92 was in the Korean war, I might have to go see that memorial in his honor

[@zackhample]

Oh wow, I hope you make it over there someday.

[@SilverNightKyle]

You didn’t set foot on solid ground in the UAE? If so, that counts, ya know…😉

[@SilverNightKyle]

What a jazzy 7th inning stretch, so cool! ⚾️ Incredible, Vicky! 💜

[@zackhample]

I'll make sure she sees this comment.

[@vickysunmusic]

I saw the comment! Thanks to both of you!

[@SilverNightKyle]

@@vickysunmusic 💜

[@KJSCalderon]

Hopefully you come to the Philippines next time

[@zackhample]

I would love to visit there someday.

[@aidanfinkofficial]

Only Aidan remembered the two countries you’ve been to that you don’t count from Q&A Part 11. Way way long ago. Oh, the things I remember. Ya know, I remember juuuust a few things about you. Such a beginner in Zack Hample knowledge. I think I’m in the beginner course.

[@zackhample]

Hahaha 🏆

[@Sportsbh21]

Best out here

[@zackhample]

:)

[@ryan_wii_sports6899]

You were out of the country for a whole two weeks and you didn’t have any coconut pudding?!?! 😭 😂

[@zackhample]

Bigtime fail!

[@Chrisb8s]

We went to the very same dim sum place in the basement of that mall in Hong Kong

[@zackhample]

Nice!

[@KobeMvp2424]

50:53 my guy 😂😂😂

[@zackhample]

That was one of my favorite moments of the whole damn video.

[@mary_mildred]

Hope you kept all the receipts.

[@aidanfinkofficial]

The amount of food Zack spent definitely surpassed his lifetime total of baseballs combined with the number of comments I’ve left on his channel.

[@zackhample]

It's all a business expense! 😎