AI Shamans Blend Tech and Tradition in Seoul

In Seoul, a cultural products store named Vinaida is offering a novel experience by blending ancient shamanic traditions with artificial intelligence. Visitors can consult with virtual shamans, presented as computer-generated avatars or projections onto suspended masks. These AI shamans utilize generative AI chatbots and voice recognition to interact with customers, interpreting their fate based on the 'saju' or 'four pillars of destiny' system.

Customers provide their birth details and concerns, receiving digital talismans with QR codes for detailed readings. This innovative service, which opened in February, has attracted approximately 100 visitors daily, charging up to 8,000 won ($5.50) per session. The store also features a robot that sketches faces to predict prospects, offering readings in four languages.

This technological twist on traditional fortune-telling appeals to those who find conventional shamanic practices intimidating. One visitor described the experience as "unique" and less "scary and burdensome" than visiting a real shaman. The readings, which some visitors found surprisingly accurate to their personality, are deeply embedded in South Korean life, with newspapers still publishing daily horoscopes based on 'saju' principles.