Economic slump boosts fortune telling

With unending scandals and closures at financial institutions and the unpredictable government measures, what will happen to us?

With the surging instability jitters and psychological jitters expanding throughout society, an increasing number of people are turning to fortunetellers.

A fortuneteller in the Kumho-dong of Seoul, identified only as Kim, 48, has found himself stretched to the limit day by day as the new year approaches. In comparison to before, the number of advice seekers has increased 1.5 times with daily visits to his establishment numbering about 20 a day.

According to Kim, many come to him seeking advice such as: "My company is slated for restructuring soon, and I have no idea what to do." He at times feels more like a psychiatrist rather than a seer.

"Every year, 100 or so new members join the association," secretary-general of the Korean Seers Association Park Hyung-Yong, 57,said,"In the modern age, when scientific process dominates, fortune telling could serve as a supplement against the uncertainty and even as a psychological remedy at times."

As if to reflect the growing trend, Internet sites of such seers are becoming increasingly popular. The sites, which number about 300, boast a total membership of about 3 million people.

One of the more well known sites, www.sazoo.com, revealed that daily new memberships increased from 350 some time ago to 600 recently, and the daily visitors to the site rose from 10,000 to 30,000.

"A few days ago, I joined an Internet seer site, and I receive a daily horoscope over the e-mail for a small fee," a venture businessman admitted. "In today's market situation full of uncertainties, it is somewhat a pity to see myself align my thoughts and behaviors to a daily horoscope."

Of those who visit the Internet seer sites, there are three major areas for which they seek advice: stock market, employment and marriage. Also, recently, there has been an increase in number of people who rather than take the fortune telling for fun or as a psychological blanket, but use it as tools to analyze the current reality.

A seer known as Jin, 51, specializes in giving advice on businesses with bright futures and on business management decisions involving expansions.

"With the economic instability, more and more businessmen and company workers have come for advice," Jin said. "I provide my services as a business consultant with my special skill as a seer."

Another seer known as Doh, 38, works at a securities company that provides the advice on an Internet site titled "This week¡¯s stock seen by the seer."

"There is a certain difference in the destined constituency (horoscope reading) of those who gain or lose money in the stocks," Doh said. "There are those who need to wait or simply not be involved in the stocks at all."

With the new year approaching, charms and amulets bestowing a blessed year are selling like hot cakes.

"Against the stiff opposition of my parents, I studied abroad, and now I can not find a job," a student returning from studies abroad and visiting a seer establishment said. "I came to buy a charm to find some solace."

A 40-year old housewife said: "My husband plans to quit his company job and start a small business. I came to buy a charm for my husband's car. In the past, many of my friends bought charms for their children, but these days, many are buying them for their husbands."

A seer in the Apkujong-dong of Seoul said: "When the economy falters, many come asking for literal directions. The creditors and those with debts come seeking advice where to go and find the debtor or where to hide safely from the creditor. It saddens me to see so many of them."

Choi Ho-Won bestiger@donga.com