6 months ago
26
NEW DELHI: In a striking departure from
South Korea
’s fast-paced lifestyle, over 100 individuals gathered in Seoul this past weekend to do nothing. This unique event, known as the
Space-out competition
, combines physical endurance, art, and a break from the country’s relentless drive for success.
As per a CNN report, held annually, the Space-out competition challenges participants to zone out for 90 minutes without falling asleep, checking their phones, or talking.
Heart rates are monitored, and the contestant with the most stable heart rate among the top ten favorites, as voted by onlookers, wins the trophy.
Among the competitors was speed skater Kwak Yoon-gy, a two-time Olympic silver medalist. “I tried out for the Olympics five times and have never taken a proper rest while training for 30 years,” said Kwak, who placed third. “I heard this place is where I can clear my mind and rest at least during this time, so I came here thinking, ‘Wow, this is what I needed so much.’”
Over 4,000 people applied to participate, with 117 contestants selected, ranging from a second-grade child to individuals in their 60s. Many saw the event as a way to recover from burnout and stress, which are prevalent in South Korea’s high-pressure environment, the CNN report said.
Origins and philosophy
The Space-out competition was founded ten years ago by a visual artist known as Woopsyang, who created the event after experiencing severe burnout. “I wondered why I was so anxious about doing nothing,” Woopsyang recalled. She realized her anxiety stemmed from comparing herself to others. “In fact, those people could also be wanting to space out and do nothing like me,” she said.
The competition, which has expanded internationally to cities like Beijing, Rotterdam, and Tokyo, aims to challenge the notion that idleness is wasteful. “This contest tells you that spacing out is no longer a waste of time but a time that you really need,” Woopsyang explained.
Celebrating stillness
This year’s winner was freelance announcer Kwon So-a, who juggles multiple jobs. Kwon, who received a trophy shaped like Auguste Rodin’s sculpture “The Thinker,” emphasized the importance of taking breaks in a competitive society. “Especially here in Korea, it’s such a competitive country, where people think that if they do nothing that they are a little behind,” she said. “I think everyone has to have their own pace and sometimes just slow down.”
Kwon highlighted the benefits of doing nothing for both mental and physical health, advocating for more opportunities to relax and unwind. “Your body can only relax when your brain relaxes,” she added. “For both of these reasons, people should space out.”
