Sitting cross-legged on a pink yoga mat beside the serene Han River, I face the challenge of achieving utter stillness amid a surge of distractions. This is the Space-Out Competition in Seoul, an annual event designed to celebrate the act of zoning out in our hyper-competitive society. My heart races with a starting rate of 116 beats per minute, driven by an aching body, the loud commentary of the event announcer, and the curious eyes of 79 other competitors vying for the title of best "nothing-doer."
Participants must remain motionless in silence for 90 minutes, with heart rate measurements taken every 15 minutes. The winner emerges based on two factors: the lowest heart rate and an audience popularity vote that adds an intriguing layer of pressure. The event seems paradoxical—pursuing victory in stillness seems like a contradiction, yet it draws all of us into a contest of silence and patience.
Curiously, many competitors confess that their usual "spacing out" during daily life has equipped them for this contest. One competitor, Park Byung-jin, hopes that his spiky hair will serve as a distraction, giving him an edge in the competition. This unique event not only highlights the difficulties of honing mindfulness in a bustling society but also offers an opportunity for self-reflection and a breath of fresh air from daily routines.
