A Special Day at the 'Staring Contest' Held at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul

This weekend, a unique contest to determine the 'Top Staring Contestant in the Country' will take place over the 잠수교 (Banpo Bridge) at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will host the '2025 Hangang Staring Contest' at the 잠수교 (Banpo Bridge) of Banpo Hangang Park on the 11th at 4 PM.

This year, a total of 4,547 teams applied to participate, with 80 teams selected, resulting in a high competition rate of 57 to 1.

Participants from various professions and generations were chosen through a story assessment, including soldiers, paramedics, train drivers, sanitation workers, and social workers.

One participant, a man in his 60s named Mr. Yang, has announced a 'three-generation participation' with his daughter and grandson, stating, "I've been busy with twilight parenting for the past ten years, but this time I want to create memories with my entire family."

Another participant, a woman in her 40s named Ms. Park, a public environmental officer, expressed her motivation for participating by saying, "While working in dark streets, I often felt disconnected from the world, but this time I want to fully enjoy the day with others."

The contest format is very simple. Participants must sit silently for 90 minutes without speaking or moving.

The outcome is not merely determined by remaining still. Individual participants are evaluated based on a 'technical score' derived from heart rate stability and an 'art score' determined by citizen votes. Notably, the heart rate graph is used as a metric to quantify the participant's inner calm.

Judging begins by selecting the top 10 teams for the art score through citizen votes, and the final winners are determined in order of their technical scores. The winners will receive a trophy and a certificate, while all participants will receive a 'Staring Contest Participation Certificate.'

Additionally, from 1 PM to 9 PM, the 'Car-Free Banpo Bridge Walking Festival' will take place on-site, allowing citizens to freely visit and enjoy the contest along with a flea market, food trucks, and a healing zone.

Since its inaugural event in 2016, the Hangang Staring Contest has gained global attention and has become a representative event of Seoul. To date, 19,403 teams have applied, highlighting the importance of rest.

Park Jin-young, the head of the Future Hangang Headquarters of Seoul, emphasized, "The Hangang Staring Contest is not just a performance but a chance to remind us how precious rest is."

Image Source: Participants at the '2023 Hangang Staring Contest' on May 12, 2024/News1. Participants are seen sitting blankly during the '2023 Hangang Staring Contest' held at the 잠수교 (Banpo Bridge) in Seocho-gu, Seoul on May 21, 2023/News1. Participants are seen wearing heart rate monitors at the '2023 Hangang Staring Contest' held at the 잠수교 (Banpo Bridge) in Seocho-gu, Seoul on May 21, 2023/News1.