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Seoul power nap contest highlights south korea’s sleep crisis
May 2, 2026
Posted 1 hour ago by
Under the spring sun in Seoul, hundreds gathered near the Han River for an unusual event — a power nap contest aimed at tackling South Korea’s growing sleep crisis. Now in its third year, the competition invites participants to rest in public, dressed in creative costumes from koalas to royalty, while their sleep quality is monitored through heart rate tracking and playful tests.
In one of the world’s most overworked societies, many young people struggle with chronic sleep deprivation due to academic pressure and demanding schedules. Some participants say they get as little as three to four hours of sleep a night. Organizers say the event is designed to raise awareness about declining sleep quality and promote the benefits of short daytime naps for recovery and overall health. While an 80-year-old participant took the top prize, the broader message goes beyond competition — highlighting the importance of rest in a fast-paced urban life. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X : https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile
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