Awarded the title of “ghost catching expert” by the audience on YouTube, Le Hoang Nam – the owner of the Challenge Me channel for the first time has revealed about his risky work.
Among the popular YouTube channels with millions of subs in Vietnam, Challenge Me – Let’s Challenge Me is the only name whose direction is different from the rest. Also working on travel, also exploring many destinations like other travel bloggers. But the places that he set foot through are very few people know about, but if he did, no one would dare to go!
The owner of this 3.24 million subs channel is Le Hoang Nam – a 37-year-old guy from Ninh Binh and currently living in Hanoi. For a long time, he has been given the nickname “ghost catcher” by the online community because of the clips full of creepy and spiritual elements on his channel.
Le Hoang Nam – the owner of the channel “Challenge Me – Challenge Me” with 3.24 million subscribers
Appearing with such a confident, reckless, and brave demeanor, is there anything in the world that makes him afraid? Sit down with YouTuber Le Hoang Nam to listen to never-before-seen stories!
The journey from a radio MC to a million-view YouTuber
3 words to briefly describe who you are?
I think it is: Curious, exploratory and careful.
Few people know that he previously worked in the field of radio and television. Why did you choose to turn?
Actually, it’s not a turning point, because the current job is still using all the skills of radio and television. Simply, I just want to invest in my own channel.
Who is the biggest inspiration for you on your way to making YouTube?
My inspiration is the amazing things around me, and the people who motivate me are the people who say I can’t do it.
Many years ago, a brother told me that I could not host the program because of my deep voice, which sounded sleepy. That makes me proud and want to prove my ability. I entered MC and over time, I forgot the old comment, and this profession also became my career.
When you were new to YouTube, did you have any difficulties?
Like many other friends, I used to think that when I started doing YouTube, I had to have full equipment or support crew. And just a month later, I got rid of that thought. Start working with what you have: a flashlight, a phone, a GoPro and a desire to contribute.
How long does it take you to enable monetization on YouTube?
When your product is invested and received, it will surely reap results soon. I was lucky enough to turn on monetization with my first video 7 years ago.
In your opinion, what is the most difficult thing to become a YouTuber in a somewhat dangerous field like you?
The way of thinking that wants to find the truth for all rumors and communication and survival skills. Survival here is simply taking advantage of everything you have at the present time, the current space to do your best work.
Besides content, what do you think is special to attract viewers?
I do everything according to my instincts and people. Maybe the audience sympathizes with my determination and effort, so I should ignore many other shortcomings. I feel like I still have a lot to learn and improve.
As a YouTuber in this field, Mr. Nam thinks that health factors and survival skills are the most important
“Everyone has fears, and I’m afraid… of being alone!”
Outside of work, do you have any other passions?
I especially love technology and sports. Most of my expenses are “baked” into these two areas, so I don’t have much to spare!
What would your typical day be like?
I get up at 6 am, drink a glass of turmeric and honey, and exercise to start the day. Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time hearing about spiritual healing. Then I try to complete the to-do list in 1 day. I am imbued with the saying “do not leave tomorrow’s work for today”, so I always want to be able to complete all tasks at the end of the day and go to bed with a smile. I like to exercise, I don’t sit still, so I especially love cycling.
Our male YouTuber has a hobby of cycling in his spare time
Appearing in the video with a very “cool” and strong look, how do people comment on him in real life?
Most people who have just come in contact with me feel that I am cold and difficult to approach on video because the nature of my work requires me to be very focused to handle everything successfully and safely.
Watching the new video, it seems that he is not afraid of anything? Honestly, is there anything in this world that scares you?
I bet we all have certain fears. For example, sometimes I’m quite afraid of being alone even though I’ve gotten used to it for a long time.
Do you remember how many places you’ve been to, both domestic and international?
I have set foot through all 63 provinces in Vietnam and over 20 other countries.
What are your favorite tourist destinations in Vietnam?
I am especially impressed with Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, and An Giang.
Currently, YouTuber Le Hoang Nam has set foot in all 63 provinces in the country and more than 20 different countries.
Hoang Nam on a trip in Da Lat
Always yearning to be once… “meet ghosts”, accept even “life and death” because of passion
How did you come up with ideas and make videos?
Like you guys, I rely on sources from the press, social media, Google. When I was known by many people, there were many people who texted me to give me the location. In the end, it was due to the unexpected “charms” that I met along the way.
Your videos are invested quite carefully, do you have a team behind or do it all by yourself?
Most of the videos are made by myself from AZ. There are trips that need to be far away and it takes a long time for me to have more companions. Once we understand each other and understand the nature of the work, now, it only takes about 1 day for us to complete the new clip.
For long trips, he often accompanies his friends, he is close
What is the place that left you with the deepest impression and memory in the process of making YouTube?
Maybe it was the trip to the Aokigahara suicide forest in Japan because it was my first time going to Japan, I had to use all my skills to find that forest. And more specifically, I went alone, at that time I was ready to accept all the highest possible risks, even accepting the “birth and death”.
Making such challenging videos, have you ever had an accident or unfortunate incident?
Fortunately, not yet, although before I take on the challenges, I have the worst-case scenario in my head that will happen to me and my companions. I usually reassure myself, breathe evenly, and cling to reason to solve the situation.
A trip to Japan’s famous suicide forest
Many viewers wonder if the strange phenomena appearing on his videos come from nature, or sometimes it takes a hand to arrange the clip to be as smooth as you want?
If people watch a lot of my videos, they will see that the creepy elements are not arranged by the hands but because of psychological factors. For example, when entering a haunted house, you have to be on guard for ghosts, when you go down the cliff, you will slip carefully… That’s because our brains determine that fear. And when you follow Hoang Nam, you will automatically be caught up in that mentality. Many of you are still afraid after watching, but many of you also say that thanks to me being a guinea pig, they are no longer afraid.
Are you a believer in spirituality? In real life, have you ever witnessed or experienced supernatural phenomena?
I am not a strong believer in spiritual matters if at all, I have brought a subjective element to my products. I am the one who is looking for the answer to see if it is true or not? Is there a world afterlife as rumored? This is also a question that has been with mankind forever, so it is easy to receive sympathy.
The supernatural phenomena that I encounter often come from nature, such as giant caves in Quang Binh or a lake with a surface sparkling with phosphorescent under the moonlight in Quang Ninh…
Sometimes, I also have inexplicable problems like interference signals in my videos at the same location. I think those are ultrasonic waves that the naked eye can’t see.
Have you ever experienced mysterious and difficult-to-explain phenomena when making a video? At that time, how did you feel?
I always yearn to meet, see what people say, and always prepare for that situation. Even if I can’t record the video, even if I receive the worst ending, I still want to experience it. I want to know if there is another world? Will they help or harm you? But I have faith that they always help us, we always have a connection with our ancestors. Let’s live to make them proud.
All of us are easily “broken by the spirit”, for example, when entering an abandoned house, we have to be vigilant, when we go down the cliff, we will slip carefully… . And when you follow Hoang Nam, you will automatically be caught up in that mentality.
Never felt “enough” with my life
How has the recent Covid-19 pandemic affected your work?
I had to stay at home, unable to go on my adventures. But fortunately, I had foreseen the situation, so I filmed a lot, now it’s only coming out gradually.
In a vlog, he once revealed that he earned up to a hundred million a month. Does your current YouTube job make you satisfied?
Honestly, I just want a life without worrying too much about money because that’s my weakness. If one is always thinking about money, not much is enough. I just want to do what I love and not waste a lot of time in my life. When I’m gone, money can’t be taken with me, only the love of people for me remains.
Normally, how much money do you spend on each trip and what do you invest for?
I do not have a fixed financial plan for each trip, but the biggest expense is always used to help less fortunate circumstances. Although I always try to save money on living expenses, when I have a difficult situation, I often pour all the money into my wallet, even borrow money from friends to help so that when I go home, I don’t have to worry about anything.
Where do you get the money to go so much, do you have any side jobs?
I think it’s very simple if I don’t do YouTube, I still have to go because it’s an “eating in my blood” passion. In the past, I had only 200k in my pocket, in 4 days I could still cycle through the Northwest provinces with my friends. Funding problems only come when you think of it as a tool.
In the 2014 Amazing Race, his Green team and Miko Lan Trinh were highly appreciated from the beginning, but due to an unexpected incident, they had to stop. Now again, do you have any regrets?
I believe anyone who steps into any competition thinks about the championship, if you don’t have that belief or desire, it’s best not to compete. If I was the champion that year, there would definitely not be a YouTuber, Le Hoang Nam, like now.
Imagine if you weren’t a YouTuber anymore, what job would you choose?
I will probably sell online with my favorite tech items. If I have money, I will try… to make a movie in theaters.
A project that you cherish in the future?
I think this is a good time for me to expand with new projects, welcome new members as well as expand locations to more countries. Now just hope the pandemic will pass quickly to start implementing.
The Green Team (Le Hoang Nam & Miko Lan Trinh) is considered a very formidable opponent in the Amazing Race 2014
Are you satisfied with your life now?
At work, I have never felt that what I do is enough and satisfied. I always want to do more, be more dedicated because I know, there will come a time when we get old, even if we want to do it, we can’t do it anymore.
Thank you so much for this interesting conversation!
Note: The content made by the character is highly challenging, there is a certain danger for those who do not undergo physical training or lack careful preparation. It is not recommended to practice/imitate in any way. Follow Doanh nghiệp và tiếp thị