How Harry Jaggard Went from Office Job to Filming a Marathon in North Korea

Ever wondered how a British backpacker ended up running a marathon in North Korea? Harry Jaggard’s wild travel story might just surprise you.

How Harry Jaggard Went from Office Job to Filming a Marathon in North Korea

Traveling full-time isn’t my reality yet, but watching others live that dream keeps me motivated. One name that kept popping up in YouTube recommendations and Reddit threads was Harry Jaggard. I’d seen some of his travel videos before, but this time I wanted to go deeper. Who is he, how does he make money, and what’s the story behind that North Korea marathon everyone’s talking about?

Here’s everything I found, plus some helpful takeaways if you’re dreaming of traveling one day too.

Quick Takeaways

  • Harry Jaggard is a British travel vlogger known for exploring hard-to-reach countries like North Korea.
  • He ran the 2025 Pyongyang Marathon and filmed his journey legally under government supervision.
  • His content focuses on backpacking, empathy-based storytelling, and connecting with locals.
  • He earns from YouTube ads, sponsorships, and freelance videography, with an estimated income of $3,000–$8,000 month.
  • Harry sparked global attention when North Korea paused tourism shortly after his viral marathon video.
  • Fans appreciate his respectful style, short-form videos, and stories that highlight real people, not just tourist sights.
  • He’s reportedly in a relationship, currently UK-based, and rumored to be planning a move to Bali.

Harry Jaggard Quick Facts

Before we dive into the full story, here’s a quick snapshot of who Harry Jaggard is and why so many people are searching for him online. If you’re short on time, this gives you the essentials in one place.

DetailInfo
NationalityBritish
Born1996 (Coventry, England)
Age29 years
OccupationTravel Vlogger, Videographer
YouTube@harryjaggardtravel
Instagram@harryjaggard
Base LocationUK (rumors of Bali move)
Height~5’2″ (unconfirmed)
Net WorthEstimated $3,000–$8,000 month (unofficial)

Career Milestones: How He Got Here

Harry didn’t start as a travel vlogger right out of school. He studied business, worked corporate jobs, and slowly transitioned into freelance content creation. This timeline helps you understand how he turned travel into a career.

  • 2016–2019: Studied Business Management at University of the West of England
  • 2019–2021: Worked in finance and admin roles (Slam Transport)
  • Mar 2021: Became a full-time freelance videographer and YouTuber
  • 2023–2025: Gained viral attention for travel vlogs, especially in restricted regions like North Korea

What Does He Post on YouTube?

Harry’s channel focuses on travel with meaning. He doesn’t chase luxury or clickbait. Instead, he builds his videos around real people, budget travel, and human connection. His channel is about exploring cultures, not just destinations.

Some themes in his channel:

  • Backpacking in Asia and Africa
  • Living on $1 or less per day
  • Rewarding hardworking locals with tips
  • Exploring hard-to-enter places like North Korea

Most-Watched Videos (And Why They Stand Out)

Some of Harry’s most popular videos are not just entertaining, they’re emotional, risky, and educational. These standout uploads have helped grow his following by showing what travel can teach us about humanity.

TitleWhat It’s About
“Running a Marathon in Pyongyang, North Korea”Gained access to Pyongyang via the official marathon and filmed the journey
“I Survived 24 Hours in Dhaka, Bangladesh with No Money”Shows how locals survive and thrive with limited resources
“Local Girl Shows Me Sri Lanka’s Burj Khalifa”Surprise generosity creates genuine emotional moments with vendors

What Happened in North Korea?

In 2025, Harry Jaggard joined a five-day, government-approved tour to Pyongyang. He was one of the first foreigners allowed in since the pandemic. His trip included running in the Pyongyang Marathon, a rare event that gave him legal access to film inside the country.

He also visited curated sites like the Mansudae Grand Monuments, War Museum, and Pyongyang Metro, all while being accompanied by assigned government guides.

Surprisingly, he was allowed to film most of it. “There are a few rules. No filming soldiers, construction, or certain propaganda, but it’s less strict than you’d expect.”

The capital felt quiet and highly orchestrated. At one point, he and other tourists were asked to pose in a staged photo shoot for propaganda purposes.

Weeks after his video gained traction online, North Korea abruptly paused tourism again. Some speculated that viral content like his may have influenced the decision.

“It’s not that people are fake. It’s that everything is part of a show.”

How Does He Make Money?

People often wonder how travel YouTubers afford their lifestyle. Harry’s case is unique, he built his skills and income gradually. Here’s what I learned about how he supports himself.

  • Freelance videographer work
  • YouTube monetization (ads)
  • Sponsored content and affiliate links
  • Instagram campaigns
  • Background in business and finance

There’s no verified net worth, but his content and lifestyle suggest a consistent, moderate income.

What About His Personal Life?

You can tell a lot about a creator by how they live off-camera. Here’s what’s known publicly about Harry’s relationships, family background, and current location.

  • In a relationship with Georgialine
  • Still lives in the UK (not Bali yet)
  • Height around 5’2″ (unconfirmed)
  • No public info on his father, though people search for it

Where Else Can You Find Him?

Harry’s not just on YouTube. If you want to follow his journey more closely or learn from his career path, check out these other platforms.

  • Instagram – where he shares travel clips and stories
  • LinkedIn – outlines his education and job history
  • Wikipedia – no official page, but it’s frequently searched
  • Reddit – where fans and critics discuss his content
  • TikTok – shares is short travel clips

Reddit’s Take on Harry Jaggard

Sometimes, what people say on Reddit offers honest feedback you won’t find elsewhere. In Harry’s case, most comments are positive, though some viewers point out things they’d like to see improve.

“I quite like him. It’s a bit of a shame he’s resorting to bait title tactics, but his content is genuine.” “What I love is that he respects the locals. That’s rare these days.”

How Is He Different From Other Travel YouTubers?

There are tons of travel creators out there, so why does Harry stand out? This table compares him to some of the most talked-about names in the niche.

CreatorKnown ForHow Harry Compares
Bald & BankruptRaw Eastern Europe explorationHarry is younger, more emotionally focused
Kurt CazExtreme, no-comfort zonesHarry prefers kindness + cultural insight
Eva Zu BeckDeep solo storytellingHarry uses short-form empathy-based content

What Camera Gear Does He Use?

There’s no official gear list, but based on the quality of his videos, we can guess. If you’re starting out, you can probably achieve something similar without breaking the bank.

  • Mirrorless camera or DSLR
  • GoPro or action cam
  • Tripod or gimbal
  • Lavalier mic

Tips If You Want to Try Travel Vlogging

Inspired to try vlogging yourself? You don’t need a big budget to get started. Here are some beginner-friendly steps I picked up while researching creators like Harry.

  • Start with your phone and learn basic editing
  • Tell stories about people, not just places
  • Create short challenges in your own city
  • Focus on consistency, not perfection
  • Use free tools like CapCut or DaVinci Resolve

Final Thoughts

Even though I’m not traveling yet, learning about people like Harry Jaggard keeps the dream alive. He’s not just visiting tourist spots. He’s showing what it means to be curious, respectful, and adventurous in places that don’t usually get love.

That North Korea marathon still blows my mind. But honestly, it’s the small kindnesses in his videos that leave the biggest impression.

FAQs

Is Harry Jaggard a full-time YouTuber?

Yes. He’s been working full-time as a travel vlogger and freelance videographer since 2021.

Did Harry really go to North Korea?

Yes, legally, via the Pyongyang Marathon. He filmed his experience under guided supervision.

Is Harry Jaggard British?

Yes. He was born and raised in Coventry, England.

What is Harry Jaggard’s net worth?

No official figure is available, but estimates suggest he earns between $3,000–$8,000/month from digital content.

Is he related to Harry Jowsey?

No. Harry Jowsey is a reality TV star. Harry Jaggard is a travel vlogger with no known connection.

Similar Posts