Hi everyone! Jade here. 👋
Did you know that Korean shamanism is still a huge part of modern life here? While it might sound mysterious to outsiders, Koreans are actually super familiar with it. In fact, just like many locals, I love starting off the new year with a Saju reading in Seoul to see what the future holds! 🔮
And speaking of this deep-rooted shamanism, have you checked out the new Netflix mystery fantasy drama <동궁 (The East Palace)>? 🏹 It completely dives into traditional Korean shamanism and occult folklore, showing just how eerie and fascinating that world can be.
Did you find the content a bit tricky to follow due to all the unique Korean slang and deep historical metaphors? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! If you haven’t checked it out yet, click [here] to read my breakdown—it’ll help you enjoy the drama on a much deeper level.
🔮 What is Korea’s Shamanism? Exploring Mudang Rituals and Saju Reading in Seoul
In Western movies, when ghosts haunt a house, you call a priest, right? In Korea, people traditionally turned to a Mudang (shaman).
A Mudang acts as a bridge between the gods and humans. It’s not just about reading palms or tarot cards; it’s believed that someone becomes a Mudang after surviving “Shinbyeong”—a form of intense spiritual growing pains—and then being chosen by the gods through an initiation ritual called Naerim-gut.
The most iconic ritual a Mudang performs is the ‘Gut.’ It’s a powerful ceremony filled with the sound of gongs and cymbals, where the Mudang, dressed in vibrant traditional clothes, dances while possessed by spirits, sometimes even walking barefoot on sharp blades (Jakdu).
While it might look frightening like a scene from a horror movie to first-timers, for Koreans, a Gut is a long-standing method of spiritual healing used to ward off bad luck, comfort vengeful spirits, or pray for family health and business success. It’s so a common part of our lives that rumors often circulate about high-profile corporate CEOs or politicians secretly seeking advice from Mudangs before making major decisions.
📺 Must-Watch: Korean reality shows about fortune telling
Can you believe there are actually reality shows where real shamans compete or go on dates? Forget the fictionalized fantasy—here are two hit shows that capture the real, modern-day vibe of these spiritual experts:
- Disney+ Original: <Fate 49> 운명전쟁49
A high-stakes survival reality show where 49 of Korea’s top shamans, fortune tellers, and tarot masters gather to compete using their spiritual abilities and intuition. The missions test their “divine energy” (Shingi), and there are moments that will literally give you goosebumps! - SBS: <Possessed Love> 신들린 연애
This is a whole new level of dating reality show. Eight young, attractive fortune tellers—including shamans and Saju experts—live together in a house. The wild part? They try to find their soulmates while reading each other’s destiny and compatibility. Matching based on Saju charts before their first dates makes for a truly fascinating and heart-fluttering watch that went viral in Korea. - TVING Original: <Shaman: (귀신전) Ghost Stories> & <Shaman: (미신전) Superstition>
If you want a spine-chilling look into the real deal—like actual shamans performing intense exorcisms (gut) or undergoing divine possession rituals (shinnaerim)—you absolutely have to check out these documentary series. They offer a mind-blowing, real-life dive into the raw power and mystery of Korean shamanism that still exists today.
📅 What is Saju? A guide to your destiny chart
If the world of Mudangs feels a bit too heavy or intense, don’t worry! Most Koreans casually enjoy Saju, which is incredibly mainstream.
Saju analyzes your destiny based on four pillars: the Year, Month, Day, and Hour you were born. It’s based on Eastern philosophy and analyzes the balance of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) in the universe. Think of it as “cosmic personality analysis data” you were assigned at birth.
Walking through districts like Hongdae or Gangnam, you’ll easily find cute tents or cafes labeled “Saju & Tarot.” On weekends, people visit these places with friends or on dates to ask things like:
- “Will I get a job this year?”
- “Are my boyfriend and I compatible?” (We call this Gunghap!)
- “When will my financial luck peak this year?”
It’s a common thing to do, especially at the start of a new year, before big exams, or when switching jobs. Rather than a strict religious belief, it’s consumed more like a psychological consultation or a tool for life planning.
🫣 Where to get Saju in Seoul
Think of Saju not as a fixed prophecy, but as a “cheat code” to maximize your strengths and supplement your weaknesses. It’s a fun, unique local experience to get a glimpse into the flow of your life. For those curious to try it out, I’ve prepared a list of recommended Saju cafes. Click the names to check their locations!
🔮 Recommended Saju Cafes for Foreigners
- Fun Saju Cafe
One of the most famous spots for international tourists in Hongdae. It’s even listed on the official Seoul tourism website! They are well-accustomed to foreign visitors and are known for explaining the basic principles of Saju in easy-to-understand English. - Jaeminan Jogakga
A long-standing fixture in the Hongdae area with high popularity among tourists. The space is spacious and comfortable, perfect for hanging out with friends over coffee while getting a reading. They have plenty of experience with international guests. - Dotong
This spot is featured in many overseas guidebooks and broadcast programs. Because they get so many foreign visitors, there are often staff members or experts who can provide translation in languages like Japanese and English. They avoid overly difficult Chinese characters, focusing on clear, accessible explanations. Plus, they offer a variety of services like tarot, palmistry, and physiognomy, making it very approachable for beginners.
📝 3 Things to Prepare Before Your Saju Reading
- Your Exact Birth Date and Time (Essential!)
Saju requires the year, month, day, and hour. If you don’t know the exact time (hour/minute), your reading will be very limited, so be sure to check with your family before you go! - A List of Specific Questions (English/Korean)
Instead of broad questions like “How will my life be?”, you’ll get much better results with specifics: “How is my career luck this year?” or “Am I compatible with the person I’m dating?” If you’re worried about the language barrier, it’s a great idea to write these down on your phone to show the reader. - An Open Mind and a Sense of Fun
Saju is more like life counseling than a prophecy that dictates your future. Even if you don’t like the result, try not to take it too seriously. Just enjoy it as a fun local activity to experience Korean culture!
📌 Pro-tip: Before visiting, it’s always a good idea to call and confirm if they are one of those Saju Cafes for Foreigners that offer English-speaking readers!
Isn’t the Korean Saju culture much more charming than you thought?
For those traveling in Seoul, this will be an unforgettable local experience. Of course, don’t worry too much if the results aren’t what you hoped for! Saju is just one piece of ‘data’ to help you live your life more wisely.
To be honest, the real deal isn’t Saju —it’s Sinjeom (신점), where you meet an actual shaman (Mudang) who channels spirits.
But here’s the catch: the most famous places with a reputation for accurate readings usually have a massive waitlist. You have to wait anywhere from at least 3 months to over a year. I’ve actually gotten a Sinjeom reading exactly once in my life, and even then, I had to wait 8 long months just to get an appointment!
If you’re genuinely curious and want to try it, I highly recommend checking out YouTube first. Nowadays, a ton of shamans run their own YouTube channels for self-promotion.😂
But a quick word of advice: instead of expecting them to “perfectly predict” your life, it’s much better to approach it simply as “experiencing a Korean shamanic ritual.” After all, at the end of the day, your future is yours to shape!
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about Korean culture or other topics you’re curious about.
Catch you in the next Seoulbits! 🔔