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In hazy spring sunshine on Saturday, hundreds of young Seoulites turned up at a park by the Han river at the invitation of the city government to try to do something many overworked South Koreans never get enough of – sleep.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government staged its third annual spring event, dubbed a power nap contest, from 3pm local time, under a refreshed set of admission requirements for the participants: wear outfits befitting either a sleeping beauty or prince, come tired, with a full belly.
For a metropolis that famously runs on 24-hour shopping malls, competitive hustle and iced Americanos, the underlying exhaustion on the lawn was palpable.
“Between exam prep and part-time jobs, I survive on three or four hours of sleep a night, patching it up with desk naps during the day,” said Park Jun Seok, who showed up draped in the silken, crimson robes of a Joseon Dynasty monarch.
Participants take a nap during the 2026 Hangang Nap Competition in Seoul (AP)
“I’m here to show off my napping skills, and to demonstrate exactly how a king sleeps,” Mr Park, 20, a university student, said.
Nearby, Yoo Mi Yeon, 24, an English teacher from Ilsan north of Seoul, stood out in a plush, oversized koala-themed onesie.
A participant dressed as Snow White takes a nap during the 2026 Hangang Nap Competition (AP)
“I’ve always suffered from insomnia, I struggle to fall asleep, and wake up easily,” she said. “Koalas are famous for their deep slumber. I came dressed as one hoping to borrow a little of their magic.”
Now in its third year, the sleep competition underscores a chronic issue for South Koreans. Data shows that South Korea is one of the most overworked and sleep-deprived nations among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development members, and, as a consequence, people post some of the fewest sleep hours.
Seoulites dressed in their comfiest night suits take a nap in Yeouido Hangang Park (AP)
As the clock struck 3pm and eye masks descended across the park, officials went around to measure participants’ heart rate to make sure they had a stable reading – an indicator of deep, peaceful sleep.
The winner of the contest was a man in his 80s.
A participant sleeps during the 2026 Power Nap contest at Han River park in Seoul (Reuters)
Hwang Du Seong, a 37-year-old office worker, was a runner-up.
“I was completely drained, having done night shifts often on top of going to work everyday plus I also drive a lot for work. So when I saw the contest I was determined to sleep to fully recharge amid river breeze, and I’m very happy to be placed second place, luckily.”
