Sports and entertainment events across South Korea have been canceled or toned down as people wait for news about the sunken ferry off the southern coast.
Organizers have called off marathons, saying they wanted to show respect for the suffering of those who lost their relatives.
Professional baseball games went ahead, but without loudspeakers or performances by cheerleaders.
People have put up banners around Seoul with prayers for the safe return of the ferry's passengers.
Movie theater operators say audience numbers have plummeted.
People have been growing more critical of the government's response to the accident. They say the leaders were slow to react, and official explanations about the rescue operation have been inconsistent.
One man in his 50s said the government is not ready to handle major accidents, even though there have been many in the past.
A woman in her 20s said the government should have a manual for crisis management. She said she thinks government officials aren't trained to deal with emergencies.