Hundreds of South Korean residents turned up at a park by the Han River at the invitation of the Seoul city 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 (7am Irish time), under a refreshed set of admission requirements for would-be participants: wear outfits befitting either a sleeping beauty or prince, come tired and 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.
Yoo Mi-yeon, aged 24, an English teacher from Ilsan north of Seoul, stood out in a plush, oversized koala-themed onesie.
Watch: 'Power Nap Contest' held in South Korean capital
"I usually don't sleep well. 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."
As the clock struck three 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.
Hwang Du-seong, a 37-year-old office worker, was a runner-up.
"I was completely drained. So when I saw the contest I was determined to sleep to fully recharge amid Han River breeze, and I'm very happy to be placed second place, luckily," Mr Hwang said.
Now in its third consecutive year, the sleep competition underscores a chronic issue for South Koreans.
Data shows South Korea is one of the most overworked and sleep-deprived nations among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members, and, as a consequence, people have some of the fewest sleep hours.
