Attention , bum : There ’s a new record to bunk . Seoul - based rapper Shin Hyo - Seob , also screw as Crush , has taken the amber medal in this class ’s Space Out Competition .
The competition consist of 90 proceedings of sitting and zoning out , with no telephone set , computers , tablets , or other distractions — and no sleeping , either . Entrants work hard todo nothing , drink tea and receiving massages while medical staff monitor their ticker rates to measure out stress level . A sports announcer with a microphone provides running commentary for the audience . Here ’s a video from the first - ever result :
It may seem absurd , but the Space Out Competition is both a work of social comment and an attempt at relieve South Korea ’s well - establishedstress epidemic .
ArtistWoopsYanginvented the contest in a period of intense tension in her own life two years ago . " I was suffering from burnout syndrome at the prison term , but would feel highly dying if I was posture around doing nothing , not being generative in one path or another , " shetoldVICE .
It ’s hard to sit around by yourself without feeling unproductive . But in a group setting , doing nothing is a affirmation . “ I think to myself , ‘ We would all feel better if we did nothing together as a radical . ’ ”
In addition to a dedicated break , the competition also serves as a work of interactive functioning fine art . Busy people rushing through the ballpark are face with a sea of strangers , all sitting quite still , wholly un - fussed . " The best way to take in this contender is from one of the skirt tall buildings , looking down , " WoopsYang suppose . " You ’ll be able to see a small patch of stillness amidst all the hectic movement . "
This year ’s competition in Seoul ’s Ichon Hangang Park saw 70 contender , includingCrush , who tell VICE he was dictated to be the most intensely relaxed someone there . “ I exercise at home , ” he said .
[ h / tVICE ]
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