[Harumanbo Harucheonja] Folding Paper Airplanes Good for Brain Training and Emotional Development

Origami is an activity that is medically beneficial for people of all ages and genders. Folding paper by moving the fingers is a highly effective brain training method. Folding paper airplanes helps develop the brain, emotional growth, and imagination. This is why origami is used not only for children but also in rehabilitation and nursing care settings. Paper airplanes are both a simple game and a sport. There are national representatives, and a world paper airplane competition is held every 3 to 4 years, establishing it as a recognized sport with a world champion.

The paper manufacturing company Murim Paper (CEO Lee Do-gyun) is hosting the “2023 4th Murim Paper Korean Cup (KOREAN CUP) Paper Airplane Competition,” making a comeback after four years. The competition will be held on November 4th at the Jinju Sports Complex in Jinju, Gyeongnam Province, and is the first offline event since the COVID-19 endemic. Since the first competition in 2017, it has elevated paper airplanes from a simple game to a sports event and is the largest and only official paper airplane competition in Korea. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the first in Korea to hold an “Ontact Challenge (online paper airplane competition),” attracting over 1,400 participants.

Participants are folding paper airplanes at the paper airplane competition hosted by Murim Paper.
[Photo by Murim Paper]

One of the reasons for its popularity is the competition’s “credibility.” Winners receive an official champion record certificate from the Korea Paper Airplane Association, and the national paper airplane representatives who have won world championship titles serve as judges. This year’s competition will feature preliminary and final rounds, followed by a “Super Cup” league that integrates all regions and age groups to determine the true “champion of champions.” The top awards have been expanded to 10 categories, including the “Jinju Mayor’s Award,” “Air Force Education Commander's Award,” and “Jinju Office of Education Superintendent’s Award.”

As pulp and paper are gaining attention as eco-friendly materials replacing plastic, the event offers “eco-friendly” experience programs so that parents and children can reflect on the value of the environment while enjoying the event safely. An “Eco Food Truck” will provide food along with paper tissues made from 100% natural pulp and pulp mold containers. Special experience booths unavailable at other events include a 25㎡ large paper playground called “Harmless Paper Pool” where children can play safely, and “Harmless Coloring Play,” where participants can decorate natural raw pulp mold bowls with their own unique designs.

Participants are flying paper airplanes at the paper airplane competition hosted by Moorim Paper.
[Photo by Moorim Paper]

Anyone in Korea interested in flying paper airplanes, from kindergarteners to adults, can participate for free. The competition consists of three categories: “Longest Distance,” “Longest Duration,” and “Aerobatic Paper Airplane Flying.” Pre-registration through the competition website has already closed, but on-site registration will be available on the day of the event. A “special pre-event online challenge” is also being held on the competition website. By October 31st, participants can upload videos of completing paper airplane target missions on their SNS with the required hashtags to be judged and receive awards and generous prizes.

A Murim Paper official said, “We feel the growing interest and status of the paper airplane competition year after year. We have taken every precaution to ensure safety in line with the reputation of Korea’s only official paper airplane competition held after four years. We have prepared fair competition management and plenty of enjoyable activities, so please feel safe and enjoy the event to the fullest.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.