"Quit Late-Night Snacks and Exercise" Male ER Nurses Become 'Fit Calendar Models'

Ten male nurses from the Emergency Department at Asan Medical Center in Seoul transformed into models for the '2022 Nurses Calendar.' [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Sumi Hwang] Male nurses from the emergency room at Seoul Asan Medical Center have transformed into models for a body-fit nurse calendar. This project was initiated to deliver messages of encouragement and positive energy to patients and medical staff exhausted by COVID-19.

According to Seoul Asan Medical Center on the 20th, ten male nurses from the hospital's emergency room will unveil the "2022 Nurse Calendar" in early next month. All proceeds from the calendar sales will be donated to the Community Chest of Korea.

The nurses posted a video introducing the calendar on YouTube, stating, "It has been two years since COVID-19 began, and among many medical staff going through very difficult times, male nurses from the emergency room of a major university hospital in Seoul with high severity cases have gathered in one place."

They added, "Inspired by the police and firefighter 'body-fit calendars,' a relatively small number of male nurses prepared a small movement to participate in a good cause by taking body profile photos and producing a calendar."

One nurse participating in the project said that he completely changed his lifestyle for the calendar production, explaining, "After work, my joy was eating late-night snacks and drinking my favorite alcohol, but since starting this project, I have learned various exercises, lost a lot of weight, and feel much lighter."

Finally, the nurses said, "We hope this movement will be conveyed as a message of encouragement to many people and approach them with positive energy. We, who are also exhausted, are regaining strength like this, so we hope you do not give up and keep going until the end."

Meanwhile, on the 9th, sales of the "2022 Body-Fit Firefighter Hope Sharing Calendar" began. This calendar was produced with the talent donation of Oh Joong-seok, a leading fashion photographer in Korea, selecting 17 active firefighters who wished to participate in spreading a culture of sharing.

The Body-Fit Firefighter Hope Sharing Calendar project is the eighth since 2015, with over 87,000 copies sold in the past seven years.

A representative from the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters explained, "To support burn patients in difficult situations, not only firefighters but also private companies such as GS Shop, Dooson Company, and SEM Company are actively collaborating in production and sales for social contribution." He added, "In addition, various organizations including the LG Twins have shown interest in spreading a culture of sharing and decided to participate in donations."

Furthermore, Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters, said, "We ask for attention to spreading a culture of sharing and fire prevention through the body-fit firefighter calendar. The Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters will also do its utmost to ensure citizens' safety from winter fires."