Hundreds of young people in South Korea have gathered in Seoul to take part in a city-backed “power nap contest”, aimed at drawing attention to the country’s chronic sleep deprivation.

Held at a riverside park along the Han River, the event invited participants to do what many overworked residents rarely manage: sleep properly in public. The Seoul Metropolitan Government organised the third annual spring edition, which began at 15:00 local time (06:00 GMT), with entrants encouraged to arrive tired, well-fed and dressed in themed costumes.

Some participants wore elaborate outfits, ranging from traditional royal robes to animal-themed onesies, as they competed to demonstrate their “best sleep”.

“Between exam prep and part-time jobs, I survive on three or four hours of sleep a night,” said Park Jun-seok, a 20-year-old university student dressed in the silken crimson robes of a Joseon Dynasty king.

“I’m here to show off my napping skills, and to demonstrate exactly how a king sleeps.”

Another participant, 24-year-old English teacher Yoo Mi-yeon, wore a plush koala costume. “I’ve always suffered from insomnia, I struggle to fall asleep and wake up easily,” she said.

“Koalas are famous for their deep slumber. I came dressed as one hoping to borrow a little of their magic.”

As the contest began, participants lay down across the park wearing eye masks while officials monitored heart rates to assess who had achieved the most stable, restful sleep.

Reuters

Reuters

Reuters

The event reflects a wider social issue in South Korea, which is consistently ranked among the most sleep-deprived countries in the OECD, with long working hours and intense academic pressure contributing to chronic fatigue.

This year’s winner was a man in his 80s.

A 37-year-old office worker, Hwang Du-seong, came in second, saying he had been exhausted from night shifts, long workdays and frequent driving for his job.

“I was completely drained, so when I saw the contest I was determined to sleep and recharge,” he said.

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