Festival Without Noise! Silent Disco!

All throughout Korea, fall festivals are in full swing.

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And October is the best month when it comes to fall festivals held in college neighborhoods.

[SOV]
[Interview : ] "It brings out the youthful passion in me".

University festivals are filled with youth and passion! But there are those who do not welcome such festivals.

[SOV]
[Interview : ] "I don't mind listening to the music once or twice a day but it's annoying when they just play it all day".

Noise is not simply loud sounds. In fact, all sounds could potentially be noise, depending on the person's mood.

[SOV]
[Interview : ] "The noise from the cars. That's the loudest".

[Interview : ] "The noise from the shopping street. It can get pretty loud".

[Interview : ] "The noise from the subway. I can hear clanking sounds, so loud that it hurts my ears".

You are subjected to all sorts of noise as you go through your daily routine, and there is an endless stream of disputes over noise.

[Interview : Min Jae-heung, Deputy Director Ministry of Environment] "The Ministry of Environment has set the acceptable noise levels in commercial areas as below 55 dB and in construction areas as below 65 dB. Sounds that are louder than 50dB may have harmful effects on the body".

The Ministry of Environment has sets regulations on and enforces many types of noise according to the "Environmental Noise Standard".

we encounter in our daily life. There are high levels of noise near subway stations and airports in residential areas, higher than the acceptable levels.

[Interview : Kim Jeong-eun, Seoul resident ] "The sounds of planes flying by make my baby cry or wake him up. It's been difficult because of the loud noise".

We are in front of Hongik University. Not a single day goes by peacefully because of sounds from music from the stores.

[Interview : Lee Eun-suk, Shopkeeper] "After listening to the music all day, I get headaches at night".

Depending on the listener's psychological state and the surrounding environment, the same sounds can be perceived as noise. For example, music that one thought to be tranquil before, can suddenly feel like noise.

Why are people so sensitive to noise

[Interview : Sim Mi-ok, Storekeeper] "I can't deal with the noise anymore. It's not something I can just stand. It's
deafeningly loud. By the time I go home, my ears are ringing. For a while, I was
even hearing hallucinatory sounds".

[Interview : Yun Chung-sik, Professor Seoul National University] "Exposure to loud sounds for a prolonged period can lead to hearing impairment. As a result, you may get tinnitus, which makes you hear a ringing sound or make you experience auditory hallucinations. It may even lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or vasoconstriction. Also, a recent study has found that when pregnant women are exposed to loud noise, they may give birth to underweight babies".

One study has found that stress from noise can lead to abnormal social behavior.

We are on the streets of Hongik University, where the club culture is alive. Every weekend, various events take place here and today's no exception.

[SOV]
[Interview : ] "We're getting ready to party".

People are filled with anticipation as the stage is set up.

But where is the large speaker system that should be present at a club party like this

[Interview : Lee Mun-ji, Staff] "There is no speaker system, so without the headphones, we can't hear any music".

The outdoor club party kicks off with the sounds of hands clapping by the DJ! But no music can be heard, none at all.

What are these people dancing to

There is apparently no music playing, but people dance away anyway! This strange sight is enough to stop any passerby.

[Interview : Choi In-hun, Participant] "It's a club party held outside, where the air is fresh and you can really move
around. But what I especially like about it is the quiet atmosphere".

[Interview : Bak Chang-hyeon, Organizer Silent Disco] "We started this event so that we can enjoy ourselves dancing to the same music
while not disturbing others. We are working hard to make it a trendy outdoor
performance that can be enjoyed without generating noise".

This is the so-called Silent Disco! Thanks to wireless headphones, there is absolutely no disturbance to the public as far as noise is concerned.

In the case of rock music, the level of noise 100m away from the stage exceeds the acceptable level for commercial areas.

But nothing can be heard in the silent disco, except for the occasional shouts of joy from the participants.

[ENG]
[Interview : Emily, Tourist U.S.] "It's amazing. I like it. I've never seen anything like it".

[ENG]
[Interview : Christioan, Tourist Sweden] "Yeah it's a really good idea actually because with the headphones you can dance with your own music. You can listen to the music you like. So I would take this to Sweden and introduce it to my people, this kind of dancing. Really good idea".

Silent disco was first introduced in Korea in July of last year. It brought the party from the stifling indoors to the open outdoors, very much intact, minus the noise. Both participants and spectators are happy with this new type of clubbing culture.

[Interview : Jang Eun-suk, Storekeeper] "Whenever they start setting up the equipment I am curious as to what they're up to. They're having a party while not disturbing the peace, so it's good".

[Interview : Lee Do-yeong, Participant] "In silent disco, you listen to the music on your own headphones but in a
group with others as you dance with them. I find it extremely appealing that we can
enjoy ourselves without causing harm to others. We need to enjoy this kind of
culture where we can enjoy ourselves while not disturbing other people".

[STUDIO]
If you don't know what's going on that can be quite startling to watch.
But I'd love to try.
Well I do that all the time in my seat. Don't you notice Not really. Dance a little louder.
Okay. I will try.