Increasing Number of MZ Generation Consulting Saju, Tarot, and Fortune Telling
Clear Trend of Using Non-Face-to-Face Fortune Services Like YouTube and Apps
"Seeking Comfort from Divination for Future Anxiety... Can Also Be Seen as MZ Play Culture"
More young people are finding comfort through fortunes such as Saju and Tarot readings. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Pixabay]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] "It helps to hear clearly whether I will get a job or not, so the feeling of being overwhelmed eases a bit."
Recently, more young people have been turning to fortune-telling methods such as Saju and Tarot. Experts interpret this as people feeling anxious about an uncertain future due to housing difficulties, employment challenges, and other issues, seeking comfort through fortunes. In this way, fortunes have become a 'psychological escape' for the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z).
Office worker Kim Jang-mi (27, pseudonym) said the reason she often consults Tarot cards is "to reduce anxiety about things I cannot control or predict." By looking into the future through fortunes, she gains some peace of mind. She said, "Based on the results, I gain confidence in my thoughts (or receive help in making decisions) and tend to act cautiously."
Kim recently learned how to read Tarot cards herself. She explained, "I often used Tarot apps, but the same cards kept appearing for similar questions. While trying to understand what those cards meant, I thought that learning Tarot myself would help both financially and in judging situations."
The biggest reason MZ generation members like Kim consult fortune-telling is to receive comfort. In 2020, the job portal Career conducted a survey of 332 job seekers, and 33.3% of respondents said they consult fortunes or horoscopes to "gain psychological stability and comfort." This was followed by answers such as "because employment prospects are vague and frustrating (28.9%)" and "to refer to before making important decisions like changing career paths (17.2%)."
You can find related fortune-telling videos by searching for 'job luck' on YouTube. Photo by YouTube search screen capture.
Young people familiar with digital devices mainly use non-face-to-face fortune-telling services. In February, school uniform brand Elite Student Uniform conducted an online survey of 553 teenagers, and the most common answer was checking fortunes through "internet fortune-telling sites" (40%). This was followed by "fortune-telling apps" (30%) and "YouTube channels" (11%). Only 15% said they visit "Saju cafes or fortune-telling shops," which are face-to-face methods.
On YouTube, General Tarot videos are gaining popularity. Viewers choose one card from 4 to 5 cards pre-selected by a Tarot master, listen to the interpretation, and understand it according to their own situation. Various Tarot videos on topics such as New Year's fortune, monthly fortune, employment fortune, and love fortune are posted on YouTube.
Fortune-telling apps are also popular. After downloading the app on their phones and registering their birthdate and other information, users can easily check their fortunes whenever needed. Job seeker Choi, who checks exam fortunes using an app every time he takes a test, said, "If the fortune is good on the exam day, I gain confidence that I will pass."
Experts suggest adopting an attitude of selectively choosing the advantages of Saju or Tarot. Professor Lim Myung-ho of Dankook University's Department of Psychology said, "Like the MBTI personality test that has gained popularity in recent years, fortune-telling has become a kind of play culture. Rather than blindly following fortunes or rejecting them outright as unscientific, it is right to choose the benefits that can be gained from Saju and Tarot."
Professor Lim cited the self-fulfilling prophecy effect as an example, explaining, "Regardless of the accuracy of the fortune, if positive outcomes such as 'If I overcome this crisis, I will do even better' or 'I am a strong person inside' emerge, internalizing these can lead to achievement."
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