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| Screen-addicted South Koreans compete in 'space out' contest | Screen-addicted South Koreans compete in 'space out' contest |
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| Dozens of people in one of the world’s most wired nations have taken part in South Korea’s “space out” competition aimed at promoting a life free from stress and information overload. | |
| About 60 contestants spent 90 minutes sitting in a public park in Seoul without talking, sleeping, eating or using any electronic devices during the event – under the slogan of Relax Your Brain. | About 60 contestants spent 90 minutes sitting in a public park in Seoul without talking, sleeping, eating or using any electronic devices during the event – under the slogan of Relax Your Brain. |
| The “space out” competition was launched by local activists in 2014. Sunday’s event – organised by Seoul city council – drew more than 1,500 online applicants for the available places in the competition. | The “space out” competition was launched by local activists in 2014. Sunday’s event – organised by Seoul city council – drew more than 1,500 online applicants for the available places in the competition. |
| “Let our brain – never free from information overload from a smartphone, TV or computer – relax!” the council said in a statement. “Let’s enjoy just thinking nothing!” | “Let our brain – never free from information overload from a smartphone, TV or computer – relax!” the council said in a statement. “Let’s enjoy just thinking nothing!” |
| Blank-faced contestants – including a mother and a young child and middle-aged men in suits – sat or lay still in temperatures of over 30C (86F). Many held parasols to protect themselves from the sun. | |
| Participants are also not allowed to look at their watches or move around too much. The person measured as having the most stable heart rate is judged the winner. | Participants are also not allowed to look at their watches or move around too much. The person measured as having the most stable heart rate is judged the winner. |
| On Sunday, the honours went to a well-known local rapper. “I was so exhausted physically and mentally while preparing an album, so I just wanted to relax for a while,” said Shin Hyo-Seob, aka Crush. “This event is highly recommended for those who have migraines or complicated thoughts,” the 28-year-old said, holding his glass trophy. | On Sunday, the honours went to a well-known local rapper. “I was so exhausted physically and mentally while preparing an album, so I just wanted to relax for a while,” said Shin Hyo-Seob, aka Crush. “This event is highly recommended for those who have migraines or complicated thoughts,” the 28-year-old said, holding his glass trophy. |
| More than 80% of South Korea’s 50 million people have smartphones, with a growing fixation on everything digital seen as a serious problem. The country’s smartphone users spend an average of four hours a day tweeting, chatting or playing games, with about 15% showing symptoms of addiction, according to state data. | More than 80% of South Korea’s 50 million people have smartphones, with a growing fixation on everything digital seen as a serious problem. The country’s smartphone users spend an average of four hours a day tweeting, chatting or playing games, with about 15% showing symptoms of addiction, according to state data. |