I Don’t Think of Anything: Nate News
- SEOUL (yonhap) — A field of 126 participants, young and old, recently gathered along the Han River in Seoul to compete in the annual "Han River Bruising Contest,"...
- “I came to enjoy the moment when I needed a ‘yoke’,” said one participant, encapsulating the spirit of the event.
- Despite a rainy forecast the day before, the cool river winds welcomed contestants to the Banpo Han River Park diving bridge.
Han River ‘Bruising’ Contest Draws Crowds in Seoul
Table of Contents
- Han River ‘Bruising’ Contest Draws Crowds in Seoul
- Han River ‘Bruising’ Contest: A Deep Dive into Seoul’s Unique Competition
- What is the Han River Bruising Contest?
- where and when is the Han River Bruising Contest held?
- What are the rules of the Han River Bruising Contest?
- How are the winners determined?
- Who participates in the Han River Bruising Contest?
- What motivates people to participate in the han River Bruising Contest?
- What is the atmosphere like at the event?
- Has the Han River Bruising Contest always been held annually?
- Has the Han river Bruising contest gained international attention?
- What is the significance of the term “Bruising” in the contest’s name?
- What’s an example of a participant’s experience during the contest?
- Could you summarize some key facts about the Han River Bruising Contest in a table?
SEOUL (yonhap) — A field of 126 participants, young and old, recently gathered along the Han River in Seoul to compete in the annual “Han River Bruising Contest,” a 90-minute test of stillness and serenity.
“I came to enjoy the moment when I needed a ‘yoke’,” said one participant, encapsulating the spirit of the event.
Despite a rainy forecast the day before, the cool river winds welcomed contestants to the Banpo Han River Park diving bridge. Eighty teams, some sporting elaborate costumes ranging from traditional Hanboks to clown attire, participated in the contest held May 11.
The “Han River Bruising Competition,” an annual event since 2016, except for cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges the notion that inactivity is unproductive. Participants are required to maintain a motionless and expressionless state for 90 minutes. Winners are steadfast by a combination of technology scores, measuring heart rate stability, and art scores based on on-site citizen voting.
This year’s competition saw a diverse range of participants, including soldiers, paramedics, environmental officials, social workers, engineers, guards, and swimmers, selected from a pool of applicants at a ratio of 57 to 1.
Contestants shared their motivations for participating, citing reasons such as “I want to feel the importance of rest,” “I don’t want to think about one second,” and “I’m tired of your company’s life.”
Kim Jung-gil, 33, a security guard, participated in his work uniform. “I sometimes have a ‘wook’ heart while working, but I wanted to rule the heart,” Kim said.
Kim Do-yeon, 29, an engineer on Seoul Subway Line 6, noted the pressure of her job: “When you operate the train, we do our best to avoid bruising as much as we have to be responsible for citizens’ safety.”
The event also drew families, with three generations participating together.One participant observed, “I can’t take my eyes off my cell phone when busy children are resting.”
The competition attracted international attention as well. Miyagawa daisuke, 53, a Japanese comedian, traveled from Japan to participate, stating, “I wanted to participate because I had a fun competition, so I came from Japan on the 9th.”
The first dropout occurred just 18 minutes into the contest. Kim Rama, a YouTuber, conceded with a smile, “I thoght it was one hour.”
Ultimately, the fork rock band ‘Pogo Tack’ claimed the championship. Member Park Byung-jin, 37, said, “I had no time to work on weekdays and to be bruised on the weekend.”
boin@yna.co.kr
Han River ‘Bruising’ Contest: A Deep Dive into Seoul’s Unique Competition
Are you curious about a competition in Seoul that tests stillness and serenity? Let’s explore the intriguing world of the “Han River Bruising Contest” through a series of questions and answers.
What is the Han River Bruising Contest?
The Han River Bruising contest is an annual event held along the Han River in Seoul, South Korea. It’s a 90-minute competition where participants are judged on thier ability to remain motionless and expressionless. It’s a test of physical and mental endurance.
where and when is the Han River Bruising Contest held?
According to the provided article, the competition takes place along the Han River in Seoul. Specifically, the 2025 event was held on May 11 at the banpo Han River Park diving bridge. However, the specific date may vary annually.
What are the rules of the Han River Bruising Contest?
Participants must maintain a motionless and expressionless state for the entire 90-minute duration. The contest challenges the idea that inactivity is unproductive, encouraging participants to focus on stillness.
How are the winners determined?
Winners are determined by a combination of factors:
technology Scores: these scores measure heart rate stability during the contest.
Art scores: These are based on on-site citizen voting.
Who participates in the Han River Bruising Contest?
The contest attracts a diverse range of participants. In the 2025 competition, participants included:
Soldiers
Paramedics
Environmental officials
Social workers
Engineers
Guards
Swimmers
The application pool is highly competitive, with a ratio of applicants to participants of 57:1.
What motivates people to participate in the han River Bruising Contest?
Several motivations drive participation in the contest. Some participants expressed:
A desire ”to feel the importance of rest.”
A need “to not think about one second.”
Being “tired of your company’s life,” showing a longing for escape from the daily grind.
What is the atmosphere like at the event?
The atmosphere appears to be lighthearted and engaging. Eighty teams participated in the 2025 contest. Costumes are a part of the experience, with teams spotted in attire ranging from conventional Hanboks to clown costumes.
Has the Han River Bruising Contest always been held annually?
no, the contest has not been held every year. The article mentions that it began in 2016 but was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Has the Han river Bruising contest gained international attention?
Yes, the competition has drawn international attention. For example, the article mentions that a Japanese comedian, Miyagawa Daisuke, traveled from Japan to participate.
What is the significance of the term “Bruising” in the contest’s name?
The term “Bruising” seems to be used metaphorically. It’s less about physical harm (bruising) and more about the act of enduring, the perseverance required to remain still.
What’s an example of a participant’s experience during the contest?
Kim Jung-gil, a security guard, shared that he sometimes has a “wook” heart, but he wanted to “rule the heart” through stillness. Kim Do-yeon, an engineer, noted the pressure of her job and highlighted the ability to embrace the contest’s concept.
Could you summarize some key facts about the Han River Bruising Contest in a table?
Certainly. Here’s a concise summary in a table:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Han River Bruising Contest |
| Location | Han River, Seoul, South Korea |
| duration | 90 minutes |
| Main Challenge | Remaining motionless and expressionless |
| Judging Criteria | Heart rate stability (technology) and citizen voting (art) |
| Attractiveness | High competition with a 57:1 application-to-participant ratio. |