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The T24 Festival, also known as the T24 Social Festival, was an event on September 8, 2012 in the Yangcheon District of Seoul, South Korea in which Lee Gwang-nak was challenged to set up a 24-person military tent single-handedly in under 2 hours. Specifically taking place at Shinwon Elementary School, the event drew over 2,000 people and involved sponsorships and high-profile attendees, including the singer Lexy.

Background

On August 30, 2012, users on an internet forum dedicated to cameras, called SLR Club, discussed the 24-person military tents established and used by the South Korean military. One user, Lee, who was named "Lvl 7. Bug" online, stated that he could pitch one of those tents all by himself, citing his eight years of having served; Lee was 29 at the time. Users then began to argue about the feasibility of Lee's statement, with some calling it impossible and others even questioning whether Lee served in the military at all.

Hours later, Lee outlined, in writing, how a person could set up a 24-person military tent by himself and betted 500,000 won that he could do it. One of the SLR Club's users, a self-identified planner, helped Lee acquire a tent and set up the location for the event that would become the T24 Festival.

Festival

The T24 Festival was scheduled for September 8, 2012. In the days leading up to it, both Lee's online argument and subsequent bet received viral traction. Ultimately, 2,000 people showed up to watch Lee set up the 24-person military tent, and a prize pool was amassed dozens of products from corporate sponsorships; products included camera gear, coupons and vouchers, and even car engine oil. The singer Lexy also volunteered herself to perform in the event of Lee's success. Additionally, the festival live-streamed online. It drew over a million views and became a viral sensation on the internet.

Lee began setting up the 24-person military tent at 3:09 PM. With some of the poles he established, attendees would cheer for him, and he would cheer "Paiting" back. At 3:50 PM, Lee took a break for 10 minutes, took pictures of himself, and even posted on the online forum where Lee's challenge originated from. Right before completing the tent's setup, Lee climbed atop it and performed various gestures of celebration. He ultimately completed the tent's setup at 4:34 PM, marking an hour and 29 minutes.

For successfully pitching the tent under two hours, Lee received over 5 million as well as other prizes including a plaque commemorating his feat.

Aftermath

After Lee's success at the T24 Festival, he became an online sensation and sometimes drew controversy. A few days later, on September 12, Lee publicly criticized the KT Corporation after they failed to act on their promise of giving him a Samsung Galaxy S III; the company's lack of contact toward Lee provoked outcry online. The same day, Lee posted online that he was interested in joining the Seoul Broadcasting System's show Law of the Jungle; the post garnered over ten thousand views and many comments in support of Lee's self-nomination.

References

1. 성동규 (2012-10-12). "'T24' 이광낙씨, "정글의 법칙 합류하고 싶다"". 뉴스웨이 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-28.
2. ^ "24인용 텐트 혼자 치기 성공...`T24` 소셜 페스티벌". ZUM 뉴스 (in Korean). 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
3. "'소셜 페스티벌' T24가 말해주는 것은?". 미디어스 (in Korean). 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
4. ^ "혼자서 24인용 군용 텐트치기 '성공'". 기독일보. 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
5. "텐트남 이광낙씨, KT에 항의 "갤럭시S3 준다고 했으면서…" : 네이트 뉴스". 모바일 네이트 뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-28.
6. 성동규 (2012-10-12). "'T24' 이광낙씨, "정글의 법칙 합류하고 싶다"". 뉴스웨이 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-12-28.