In Seoul, a peculiar competition unfolds each year, drawing attention to the often-overlooked benefits of inactivity amidst an ever-accelerating pace of life. Participants at the annual 'Space-Out Competition' are tasked with the challenge of sitting in silence for 90 minutes, trying to attain a meditative state of stillness while surrounded by a cheering crowd. The event serves as both a humorous examination of a societal obsession with productivity and an earnest reminder of the mental and physical well-being that can emerge from zoning out.
Entrants, seated cross-legged on yoga mats, experience a confluence of discomforts: rising heart rates due to the pressure of an audience, the awkwardness of prolonged stillness, and physical fatigue. Their heart rates are monitored every 15 minutes, with outcomes determining scores based on steadiness and popularity from spectators. The niche competition presents an ironic paradox—striving to win at the act of simply doing nothing.
Many participants admit that their everyday lives have prepared them well for this occasion; frequent moments of drifting off in meetings seem to count as adequate practice. This year’s event, held in May, attracted 80 contestants all eager to explore the boundary between inactivity and competition, questioning the very nature of success in a world that constantly demands action.
Mastering the art of doing nothing might seem trivial on the surface, but this quirky event allows participants to explore deeper themes of relaxation, mindfulness, and the importance of taking a break in an over-scheduled lifestyle.
