Embracing Boredom: The Unconventional Art of Zoning Out in Seoul

The annual Space-Out Competition in Seoul challenges participants to spend 90 minutes in silence, capitalizing on the stillness often lost in our busy lives. Contestants aim to achieve the lowest heart rates while grappling with distractions from both the audience and their own instincts.

In Seoul, a fascinating contest invites participants to celebrate the art of doing absolutely nothing. Known as the Space-Out Competition, the event aims to promote the benefits of zoning out amidst the demands of a competitive society. Participants gather by the serene Han River, where they attempt to remain motionless and expressionless for a daunting 90 minutes, battling both personal discomfort and a curious audience.

Described as a blend of endurance challenge and quiet pageantry, the competition requires contestants to maintain their composure while displaying the lowest and steadiest heart rates possible. Every 15 minutes, they face heart rate checks, bringing to light the tension between the mind’s desire for inactivity and the body’s instinct to move.

For many, this unique contest presents an enticing paradox: how does one compete at doing nothing? Participants often find themselves pondering their performances among 79 other relaxers, all vying for a trophy that symbolizes the triumph of tranquility in a hectic world.

Some competitors, like Park Byung-jin, even employ strategic distractions, utilizing hair styles or clothing choices to influence perceptions in the audience vote, which weighs heavily on the final scores.

Originally intrigued by the prospect of earning accolades for idleness during work hours, I found that the competition was not only about winning, but also a reminder of the balance between productivity and the essential act of slowing down. The Space-Out Competition serves as an enlightening experience that ultimately encourages mindfulness and relaxation in our overstimulated lives.