‘Life in Hel’: Man to live in Helsinki Airport for 30 days

By Francesca Street, CNN
Updated 5:36 AM EDT, Fri September 22, 2017
<strong>Meet the man living in an airport</strong>: Most of us would hate to be stuck in an airport for longer than necessary. Not Ryan Zhu -- the Chinese "influencer" will voluntarily live in a cabin in Helsinki Airport for 30 days.
Meet the man living in an airport: Most of us would hate to be stuck in an airport for longer than necessary. Not Ryan Zhu -- the Chinese "influencer" will voluntarily live in a cabin in Helsinki Airport for 30 days.
Courtesy Finavia
<strong>Terminal living</strong>: Channeling Tom Hanks in the movie "The Terminal," Zhu will be eating, drinking, showering and living in the airport.
Terminal living: Channeling Tom Hanks in the movie "The Terminal," Zhu will be eating, drinking, showering and living in the airport.
Courtesy Finavia
<strong>Hel is a place on earth</strong>: Hashtagged #LIFEINHEL, the stunt is part of a marketing campaign described as a mix of reality TV, social media and game shows. Zhu will go through "daily challenges" as he adapts to airport living.
Hel is a place on earth: Hashtagged #LIFEINHEL, the stunt is part of a marketing campaign described as a mix of reality TV, social media and game shows. Zhu will go through "daily challenges" as he adapts to airport living.
Courtesy Finavia
<strong>Home away from home</strong>: Fortunately Helsinki Airport has a homey feel -- and there's plenty to do. Zhu will be testing facilities including massage parlors and an airport sauna.
Home away from home: Fortunately Helsinki Airport has a homey feel -- and there's plenty to do. Zhu will be testing facilities including massage parlors and an airport sauna.
Courtesy Finavia
<strong>Leading airport</strong>: Travellink recently crowned Helsinki Airport the best in the world -- and Zhu's time in the terminal seeks to prove Helsinki's leading status.
Leading airport: Travellink recently crowned Helsinki Airport the best in the world -- and Zhu's time in the terminal seeks to prove Helsinki's leading status.
Courtesy Finavia
<strong>Chinese connection</strong>: The campaign also goes hand-in-hand with Helsinki's quest to promote itself as the fastest connection between Asia and Europe. "We are also the forerunner in serving Chinese customers," says Katja Siberg, Finavia's senior vice president of marketing and communications.
Chinese connection: The campaign also goes hand-in-hand with Helsinki's quest to promote itself as the fastest connection between Asia and Europe. "We are also the forerunner in serving Chinese customers," says Katja Siberg, Finavia's senior vice president of marketing and communications.
Courtesy Finavia
<strong>Man of the moment:</strong> Zhu is a Chinese actor and television personality, star of movies including "Shijin" and "Daizong."
Man of the moment: Zhu is a Chinese actor and television personality, star of movies including "Shijin" and "Daizong."
Courtesy Finavia
<strong>Mission impossible:</strong> Zhu will be given an open return to escape home if he wants out. If he lasts the month, he'll be rewarded with a trip to Lapland.
Mission impossible: Zhu will be given an open return to escape home if he wants out. If he lasts the month, he'll be rewarded with a trip to Lapland.
Courtesy Finavia
'Life in Hel': Man to live in Helsinki Airport for 30 days
CNN  — 

Most of us shrink in horror at the thought of being in an airport for just a few hours longer than necessary.

So spare a thought for Ryan Zhu – the Chinese “influencer” has voluntarily chosen to live in a cabin in Helsinki Airport for 30 days from October 10, 2017.

Channeling Tom Hanks in 2004 movie “The Terminal,” Zhu will be eating, drinking and living in Helsinki’s transport hub.

It’s all part of Finnish airport operator Finavia’s marketing campaign #LIFEINHEL – a combination of reality TV, social media and game shows.

For the publicity stunt, aimed at promoting Helsinki as a transit hub for Asia travelers heading to Europe, Zhu will be sent on “daily challenges” as he adapts to airport living.

Trapped in the terminal

Fortunately Helsinki airport has some home comforts.
Fortunately Helsinki airport has some home comforts.
Courtesy Finavia

A popular Chinese actor and television personality, Zhu is the star of movies including “Shijin” and “Daizong.”

“The entire airport personnel is waiting for Ryan Zhu’s arrival,” says Katja Siberg, Finavia’s senior vice president of marketing and communications, in a statement. “We want to give him an unforgettable experience!”

Zhu will channel Tom Hanks in "The Terminal."
Zhu will channel Tom Hanks in "The Terminal."
Courtesy Finavia

MORE: 10 tips for visiting Helsinki, Finland

Zhu will test the airport’s facilities – from its restaurants to massage parlors and the airport sauna.

The actor will be given an open return to escape home if he wants out, but if he lasts the whole month, he’ll be rewarded with a trip to Lapland.

MORE: Lapland in Finland – more than a Christmas fantasy land

Helsinki heights

Helsinki Airport wants to cement its status as a leading airport.
Helsinki Airport wants to cement its status as a leading airport.
Courtesy Finavia

Online travel agency Travellink recently crowned Helsinki Airport the best in the world – and Zhu’s time in the terminal seeks to prove Helsinki’s leading status.

The campaign also goes hand-in-hand with the airport promoting itself as the fastest connection between Asia and Europe.

“We are also the forerunner in serving Chinese customers,” says Siberg.

The airport also regularly serves transit passengers. While these regular passengers won’t have to stay in the terminal or a month – Zhu’s experience will help the airport ensure it can provides the appropriate comfort and services for stopover passengers.

“The campaign’s feedback will be extremely valuable in making our services even better,” says Siberg. “We want our influencer to really feel at home at Helsinki Airport.”

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