80 teams will compete for the title of “Space-Out Champion” at the 2025 Han River Space-Out Contest. (Image courtesy of Seoul City)
SEOUL, April 19, (Korea Bizwire) — In a nod to the virtues of idleness amid the relentless pace of modern life, the city of Seoul will host its eighth “Space-Out Competition” on May 11, 2025, at Banpo Hangang Park’s Jamsu Bridge.
The event, first launched to challenge the societal stigma against doing nothing, invites participants to remain completely still and silent for 90 minutes — eyes open, minds adrift, and no distractions allowed.
Winners will be determined through a combination of biometric and public evaluation. Contestants wear heart rate monitors, and those who maintain the most stable or gradually declining heart rates will receive high technical scores. Spectators at the event will also cast votes based on who appears the most serenely spaced out, contributing to the artistic score. The top 10 teams are then ranked, with final winners selected by technical performance.
Participants can signal basic needs using four color-coded cards: red for massage, yellow for fanning, blue for water, and black for other discomforts.
Prizes include a trophy and certificate for first place, certificates for second and third, and a participation certificate for all competitors. A total of 80 teams, with up to three members each, will be selected through online registration from April 18 at 10 a.m. to April 26 at noon via the event’s official website (www.spaceoutcompetition.com) and Instagram page (@thespaceoutcompetition). The final list of participants will be announced on April 28 at 10 a.m.
Latecomers may have a chance to join on-site should any vacancies arise. Inquiries can be sent to spaceoutcompetition@gmail.com.
In a complementary event on the same evening, a group meditation session titled Hangang Pause will be held at the same location starting at 7 p.m., open to 50 participants on a first-come, first-served basis through the Ddooddoo Festival website (www.festa-ddooddoo.com)
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
