Explaining South Korean Beliefs: What is Fan Death

In South Korea, the belief that electric fans can cause harm while sleeping—a concept known as "fan death"—is widely perpetuated despite being debunked by scientific research. This urban legend suggests that using a fan in a closed room could lead to suffocation, hypothermia, or other health issues. Although doctors and researchers argue there's no evidence of such phenomena, it continues to find traction in the culture. This is prepared by SSP.

Historically, the notion of fan death emerged in the 1970s. At that time, South Korea was developing amid rising energy costs, and there are theories that the authoritarian government used this myth to discourage energy consumption at night. Fan manufacturers, influenced by these persistent beliefs, often equip their products with timers and issue warnings about potential risks associated with fans blowing directly on people during sleep.

The belief persists primarily due to anecdotal reports and a fear of the fan creating harmful conditions, such as depleting oxygen levels or causing extreme cold. However, experts highlight that these fears are unfounded. For instance, Seoul National University Hospital professor Yoo Tai-woo criticizes the belief, noting that simply finding a fan running near a deceased person does not imply causation. Similarly, Brian Barnes from the University of Alaska dismisses the idea that fans could disrupt thermo-regulation under typical indoor conditions.

Despite the cultural entrenchment of this myth, scientists and health professionals agree that fans contribute beneficially to air circulation, ensuring comfort and reducing indoor air stagnation. As technology advances, the contrast between superstition and science remains stark. Thus, while fans featuring timers may bring peace of mind to cautious users, they serve more as a testament to cultural anxieties than as necessities grounded in safety concerns.