From Mudang to Microchips: The Rise of AI Fortune Telling in Seoul
In Seoul, a new spiritual frontier is emerging as traditional Korean shamanism meets artificial intelligence. While many find the intense rituals of traditional "mudang" or spirit mediums intimidating, a new shop called Vinaida offers a virtual alternative. By combining age-old "saju" traditions with facial scans and robotic diviners, the shop provides a less unnerving experience for locals and tourists alike.
**From Mudang to Microchips: The Rise of AI Fortune Telling in Seoul**
REPORTER:
One place in Seoul is changing how Korea looks at spirits and is cutting through some of the usual angst with AI.
In traditional Korean culture, spirits abound everywhere — and one way to commune with them is through spirit mediums, mainly called mudang.
Spirit mediums are a very old part of Korean culture, at times serving as a cultural rallying point, while at others, looked down on and distrusted.
A new way to connect spiritually was something the owner considered when coming up with his shop, Vinaida.
Some find in-the-flesh spiritual mediums to be unnerving — with all the colors, sounds and rites involved. But at Vinaida, just type out your birthdate, look into a robotic face, and relay your concerns into a mic.
And for some, that experience is not too far from the real thing.
With a facial scan, a few electronic brushstrokes and a QR encoded talisman card, the inquisitive can find out what their “saju,” or pillars of fate, have in store for them.
And it’s not just Koreans making up the fortune-curious; foreigners can also have their fortunes told in Japanese or English.
In Seoul, with robot eyes scanning your beauty marks and blemishes, you’re just one AI diviner away from finding out your future, in a space where a novel experience meets age-old tradition.
Eason Pan and Tim Smith for TaiwanPlus.
