If you go to Hangang Park on a weekend afternoon, you'll be surprised. Small tents are lined up one after another on the lawn. And it's not even a campsite. Even international students ask, "Can I sleep here?" He asked. ## They're Not Tents, They're Shade Shelters This tent isn't a place to sleep; it's a shade shelter to keep the sun off. First, spread out a picnic mat, then set up the shade shelter on top of it. On windy days, be sure to secure it with cords or stakes. You can also buy or rent one at shops near the park. However, where you can pitch a tent, when, and how large it can be differ from park to park. Be sure to check the on-site signs or the Hangang Park website. ## Why Set Up a Living Room in the Park? First, the lawn along the Han River doesn't have many big trees, so there isn't enough shade. Even in autumn, the daytime sun in Korea is scorching. Second, homes in Korea tend to be small. Houses with a yard are rare, so there's hardly anywhere for friends or family to get together and hang out. So the park becomes "our backyard," and the shade tent becomes a little living room. Third, there's the delivery culture. If you order fried chicken or ramyeon through an app, the delivery person comes right to your spot on the grass. So you don't need to pack a lot of stuff. You can eat, relax, and even take a nap inside your tent. That's why the tent scene along the Han River is really how Koreans find some breathing room in the city. After you're done having fun, be sure to take your trash with you or sort it and throw it away properly. That's also a promise we all make to share the Han River.