South Korea — the land of kimchi, K-pop, and competitive lounging? Yep, you heard that right. Welcome to the weird and amazingly questionable world of the South Korean Do Nothing competition, where the only thing you need to be proficient at is doing literally nothing. It’s essentially Korean vipasana, except it’s competitive. Now, if you’re scratching your head and wondering why anyone would want to turn stillness into an audience sport, you’re not alone. But bear with me because this tale of ‘paradoxical procrastination’ is a rollercoaster ride you won’t want to miss.
Right off the bat: Why would anyone make a competition out of something like doing nothing? It’s like hosting a race for the slowest turtle or a contest to see who can nap the longest. But hey, in a world where everyone’s constantly hustling and bustling, sometimes you have got to shake things up by, well, not shaking things up at all.
Imagine a group gathered in a park, equipped with nothing but their comfiest PJs and a desire to out-laze each other. From inflatable pool floaties to strategically positioned hammocks, these folks are serious about their pursuit of absolute lethargy. And let me tell you, the level of dedication is truly awe-inspiring. We’re talking about people who have honed their skill of doing nothing to a degree that would make even ‘Flash’ (from Zootopia) proud.
But here’s where things get tricky: The very idea of turning stillness into a competition contradicts the sole purpose of the subject itself. I mean, isn’t the whole point of embracing peace and tranquillity to let go of the need to achieve and battle against the woes and weals of the world? Yet, here we are, cheering on contestants as they race for the title of ‘Supreme Sloth’. It’s really a paradox wrapped in a riddle, adorned with a dose of absurdity, I guess. But beneath the laughter lies a deeper truth: In a world that’s constantly pushing us to do more, accomplish more, be more, sometimes the most radical way to approach this would be to simply do nothing.
The prize for doing nothing
Now, you might be wondering, “What’s the prize for winning such a competition?” The ultimate reward for mastering the art of laziness is the satisfaction of knowing that you are the reigning champion of doing absolutely nothing. It’s a badge worth its weight in gold.
The question is — why bother turning stillness into a sport? Why not just kick back, relax, and enjoy the sweet bliss of doing nothing without the pressure of competition? Honestly, I have no idea. But, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from the wacky world of the South Korean do nothing competition, it’s this: Sometimes, the best way to embrace stillness is to turn it into a hilariously absurd spectacle for all to enjoy.
The idea of a Do Nothing competition may seem like an enigma. But in a world that’s constantly in motion, sometimes to simply hit pause and bask in the glory of doing absolutely nothing is the ultimate victory. So here’s to embracing the weirdness of competitive laziness and finding joy in the most unexpected places, quite literally.
Views are personal.