[Report] Fortune-telling Alley Still Quiet Early This Year... "Visitors? Only One Third of Last Year"

Fortune-telling Shops Bustling at Year-End Now 'Deserted'
Occasional Visitors Express Frustration

On the 2nd, the fortune-telling alley near Konkuk University Station in Seoul appeared quiet.

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] "They say everything is going well this year."

On the 2nd, Kim Yeon-jeong (28, pseudonym), who came out of a fortune-telling shop in front of Exit 2 of Konkuk University Station, sighed with relief. Unlike previous years, Kim, whom I met in a quiet alley, is planning a new business this year after struggling to find a job last year. Since it is her first business, she came to the fortune-telling alley around Konkuk University to learn about her future with mixed feelings of worry and expectation. Kim said, "2020 was an unusually unlucky year," and added, "I came to get some encouragement, and I think I came to the right place."

Although the new year 2021 has arrived, the fortune-telling street in front of Konkuk University Station was generally quiet. There were a few people like Kim who came to seek some small comfort, but compared to previous years, the number of people was almost none. After Kim left the fortune-telling shop, it took about an hour for the next customer to arrive.

This is the result of a decrease in foot traffic due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Fortune-tellers operating the shops complained of business difficulties due to the reduced number of customers.

The area in front of Konkuk University Station visited that day had more people than other places as it is a nightlife district frequented by young people. However, according to local business owners, even this has significantly decreased compared to last year. Kim Min-ji (36, pseudonym), who sells street food in the fortune-telling alley, said, "The number of people walking on the street has decreased to one-third compared to last New Year," and added, "Young people who lined up to get their fortunes told used to fill the street, but it is hard to find such scenes this year."

On the 2nd, a fortune teller was waiting for customers at a fortune-telling shop near Konkuk University Station in Seoul.

◆The number of people drastically decreased in front of Konkuk University Station fortune-telling street... "Concerned about fortune-telling shop quarantine"= In fact, there were fewer people inside the fortune-telling shops compared to the foot traffic. As of 6 p.m. that day, out of a total of 39 fortune-telling shops, all but six were open, but only about ten shops had customers. Only one shop had a line of people waiting. Shops without customers were just looking at their smartphones or moving the position of a useless heater.

Kang Jin-hyun (28, pseudonym), who came to check compatibility with his girlfriend, explained, "This place is usually where friends come to drink and casually get their fortunes told or tarot readings," and added, "Because of COVID-19, the number of people has decreased, so now you can choose which fortune-telling shop to enter."

Some people also expressed concerns about quarantine. Due to the nature of fortune-telling shops, the space is narrow, and fortune-tellers and customers have to be close to each other. Yet, most places had no partitions installed at all. Occasionally, fortune-tellers and customers were seen adjusting their masks and exposing their mouths and noses. Hwang Jeong-hee (27, pseudonym) said, "I used to like getting fortunes told and visited every year, but now with over 1,000 confirmed cases daily, I decided not to go to fortune-telling shops that do not properly implement quarantine measures this year."

◆Although fewer people visit... some come to vent their frustrations = In response, fortune-tellers expressed difficulties in running their businesses. Yang Do-hyun (60, pseudonym), who operates a fortune-telling shop on the street in front of Konkuk University Station, said, "Fortune-tellers usually earn most of their income at the beginning and end of the year, but the number of customers has decreased by about 70% compared to last year," and added, "Since the number of confirmed cases increased to the 1,000s, there are days when no one comes at all."

People struggling due to COVID-19 came to meet fortune-tellers as if grasping at straws. Hong Ji-min (25, pseudonym), who was standing in line in front of a fortune-telling shop, said, "I work as a health trainer, but with social distancing measures tightened, I have been out of work for a month," and added, "I came to see my New Year's fortune because I feel frustrated."

Yang explained, "Many people complain of depression, perhaps because of COVID-19," and said, "Even if a bad fortune comes out, I try to explain it in a positive way. While I predict the future, I also serve as a counselor who gives hope."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.