Photos by ChiHon Kim ()
Let’s admit it, everyone is curious about what their future holds. In Korea, many of us rely on fortune tellers or Mudang (shamans) to look into our futures. Of course, we go to the ones who are known to be accurate. With a new year upon us, Koreans are flocking to these knowers of the future to ask them about business, health, family, marital and career matters. And let’s face it, some just want to know when all this COVID-19 madness is going to end.
According to recent statistics from joins.com, four out of 10 South Korean adults have gone to a fortune teller. Korea’s fortune-telling industry generates an estimated $3.7 billion annually, the Korea Economic Daily reported. The Korean Association of the Gyeongsin and the Korean Association of Fortunetellers estimate the number of Korean Mudang who provide foresight while being possessed by spirits and perform exorcisms and fortunetellers has reached 500,000 nationwide. This includes non-registered fortune tellers.
Unlike in the United States, where fortune tellers are often recognized as swindlers out to scam those desperate to see what is in store for them, they are respected and a part of the everyday consciousness of the average Korean. Why are so many Koreans interested in fortune telling? Although South Korea is primarily made up of Buddhists and devout Christians, fortune telling continues to thrive as both a form of entertainment and as a dependable guide for seeking answers to daily problems.
By the way, Koreans regard going to a psychiatrist and receiving formal treatment as disgraceful. So, if someone has mental problems or has difficulty handling their problems, instead of looking for a psychiatrist, many turn to fortune tellers, which are quite easy to find.
A few days ago, I had my fortune told at a small fortune-telling cafe near Pyeongtaek Station.
To pick a fortune-telling house, I searched the web and couldn’t believe my eyes. The map of the area around Pyeongtaek Station area was covered with more than 40 pins of fortune-telling houses. There seemed to be more fortune-telling establishments than cell phone shops and coffee shops.
I chose one small fortune-telling cafe that tells the client’s fortune using saju-palja or saju-myungrihak. Saju palja literally can be translated as “four pillars of destiny,” and dates back to the Han Dynasty. Korea, Japan and China share this conceptual term to describes a person’s destiny or fate based on the ancient Chinese zodiac.
Before I start to tell you about my fortune-telling experience. Let me explain the difference between shaman and fortune tellers in South Korea. As you may know, mudang, a shaman, is considered having an extraordinary ability to communicate with dead ancestors. So mudang play the role of a bridge between the dead and a client. They can use rice or brass coin when they tell fortunes. They even scold their client severely.
The reason why I chose a fortune teller instead of a shaman is that I’m not a serious believer, and I’ve already been scolded enough by my mother and teachers when I was growing up. And saju is based on Chinese astrological records and texts that can be touched and seen.
The four pillars are based off the year, month, day and the hour of your birth. I forgot my time of birth, so I had to call my mother. Yes, I was off to a good start.
My fortune teller started to scribble on a blank paper as he looked in an old book filled with Chinese characters. He explained to me that the book was about the four pillars of destiny. By using the five elements of fire, water, wood, metal and earth, he explained my destiny.
He said that a tree is prominent in my saju and the folks who have this element tend to have a kind heart. But he said if I keep doing all the favors out of compassion, hard times could come. He also said that another character trait of folks with a tree element is an explosive temperament. “This is fairly accurate!” I thought to myself.
The fortune teller didn’t just analyze my destiny, but also suggested solutions. “Do not suppress your anger too much. Express your feelings appropriately, even if it’s a bad emotion,” he said.
He listened to my worries and concerns with all his heart. I was happy to have someone listen to me. From daily life to work life, he continued to add solutions based on my destiny and probably my temperament. It was really helpful, whether it was just lucky guesses or skill. Believe it or not, I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.
In the New Year, my family will go see a fortune teller together for fun. But people who are about to get married, move out or start a new business, take the prophecy quite seriously. The opinion on fortune tellers may vary from person to person, but there are those who truly believe they are the gateway to a successful year and life.
Because of this, many fortune-telling businesses are undergoing certification tests and having their employees get special training so they can offer professional counseling to customers who visit. Whether you’re a sincere believer in fortune telling or a complete skeptic, visiting a traditional fortuneteller is certainly a great way to experience Korea’s deep traditional culture. Just remember to bring a Korean speaker with you. Here’s hoping that your future is bright!
Fortune telling café 색깔사주(Saek-kkal-saju) Address: [KOR] 경기 평택시 자유로 22, [ENG] 22, Jayu-ro, Pyeongtaek-si, [NAVER MAP] http://naver.me/54M1LsAM Hours: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Phone: 0507-1409-7952 Price: 25,000 won or about $22.29 (over $25), or 20,000 won(under $25) include one beverage.
