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.
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.
Iran has released the first images of the casket of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ahead of his funeral scheduled for the 4th - 9th July, as au...
Monaco authorities have issued an arrest warrant and Interpol red notice for a suspect in a parcel bomb attack that injured three people, including Uk...
Mali has established a new state entity to oversee and regulate its rapidly growing artisanal gold sector, as authorities seek to curb smuggling and c...
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached a significant milestone in its fight against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, with the first patient...
Canada is hoping to unveil around 10 founding member countries for a proposed global defence bank at next week's NATO summit in Turkey, as Ottawa push...
Monaco authorities have issued an arrest warrant and Interpol red notice for a suspect in a parcel bomb attack that injured three people, including Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, after CCTV showed the suspect placing a package before it exploded Monday evening.
Mali has established a new state entity to oversee and regulate its rapidly growing artisanal gold sector, as authorities seek to curb smuggling and close significant gaps between officially recorded exports and the volumes reported by importing countries.
Canada is hoping to unveil around 10 founding member countries for a proposed global defence bank at next week's NATO summit in Turkey, as Ottawa pushes forward with an initiative aimed at strengthening allied defence capabilities through cheaper and more accessible financing.
New York City is preparing for a dangerous heatwave ahead of this weekend's 4 July celebrations.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
The closely guarded wedding of pop superstar Taylor Swift and famed NFL player Travis Kelce is speculated to take place in New York this week, with multiple media outlets and city officials pointing to Madison Square Garden as the venue.
Britain said on Tuesday (30 June) it could intervene in Paramount Skydance Corp’s proposed $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, potentially delaying one of the largest media mergers in recent years despite approvals from the United States, China and several other major markets.
Science does not usually have much to do with K-pop. But a postgraduate student in southern China has found a way to bring the two together, and the result is now permanently written into the scientific record.
The wife and children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo were among around 1,700 people who died when two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last week.
Manhattan prosecutors have moved to drop a third-degree rape charge against movie producer Harvey Weinstein after his accuser said she no longer wished to testify. The decision ended what could have been a fourth New York trial in the long-running sexual assault case.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment