"I Turned It On Again Out of Frustration"... Chinese Youth Hooked on 20,000 Won AI Fortune-Telling Services [Z-World Now]

AI-Powered Fortune-Telling Services Gain Popularity in China

Low Cost and High Accessibility Fuel Rapid Increase in Usage

Critics Argue, "Results Are Vague... Difficult to Trust"

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The number of young people in China using fortune-telling services powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise. These services are gaining popularity because they are less expensive than consulting a fortune-teller in person and deliver results quickly. However, some critics point out that these AI-generated results can lack consistency, making them difficult to trust.

"You can't even book a famous fortune-teller without a referral"... The Popularity of 'AI Fortune-Telling'

AI Generated Image

According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP), the hashtag '#deepseeksuanming' (DeepSeek Fortune-Telling) has surpassed 55 million views on Chinese social networking services (SNS), signaling a widespread AI fortune-telling craze. DeepSeek is a Chinese AI model series launched in 2023.

Younger generations are using AI to access a wide range of fortune-telling services at once, including traditional Chinese astrology (Ziwei Doushu), tarot readings, and palmistry or physiognomy analysis. Whereas in the past, users had to pay separately for each type of fortune-telling and consult a fortune-teller, today, AI enables them to access multiple fortune-telling results simultaneously.

Users generally do not mind that the results are generated by AI. The ability to use the services conveniently at any time is fueling their popularity among young people. Some users are even actively using paid services. For example, one user paid 60 yuan (about 13,000 won) to view a detailed report from an AI fortune-telling application, while another reportedly spent 90 yuan (about 20,000 won) to purchase a smartphone fortune-telling grip device equipped with an AI chip.

This trend appears to be influenced by the traditionally closed structure of the fortune-telling market. While street fortune-tellers are still present in China, some of the most reputable ones only accept appointments through referrals, creating a high barrier to entry.

"Personalized Fortune-Telling" vs. "Fraud"... Debate Over AI Fortune-Telling

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Pixabay

Some users say that AI's responses feel like personalized results just for them. Particularly in physiognomy or palmistry analysis, users note that AI can directly identify specific features in photos and rapidly analyze vast amounts of data, which leads some to view it as more scientific and precise than traditional fortune-telling.

On the other hand, there is no shortage of critical views. Critics argue that AI-generated fortune-telling results remain ambiguous and generic, and that the content lacks depth. Some even go as far as to call it "no different from fraud." In reality, some users have received negative predictions such as "you could die soon." However, some users casually share these results on social networking services (SNS) and consume them lightly.

Debate continues over AI fortune-telling, and user opinions remain divided. One user commented, "Whether it's a human or AI, fortune-telling is ultimately a kind of sales pitch. The more you want to believe, the more convincing it feels." Another said, "I know it may not be accurate, but it still gives me confidence and peace of mind."

As interest in AI fortune-telling grows, the related market is rapidly expanding. According to market research firm iiMedia Research, the size of China's AI metaphysics (fortune-telling, horoscopes, etc.) market reached 12 billion yuan (about 2.6358 trillion won) in 2024, with more than 70% of users found to be between the ages of 18 and 30.

Experts analyze that, as pressures related to academics, employment, and marriage intensify, young people in China are increasingly consuming fortune-telling as a source of psychological comfort and a means of escapism. As of March 2026, the youth unemployment rate among those aged 16 to 24 (excluding students) in China stood at 16.9%, meaning that more than one in six young people were unable to find a job.

AI Fortune-Telling Services Spread in Korea as Well

Meanwhile, among young people in Korea, the use of AI-powered saju (traditional fortune-telling) and horoscope services is also increasing. According to a “2026 New Year’s Plans and Fortune-Telling Service Usage” survey conducted in January by Embrain Trend Monitor, a specialized market research firm, on 1,000 men and women nationwide aged 19 to 59, 85.5% of all respondents said they had used fortune-telling services. The most frequently cited types of services used were smartphone fortune-telling apps (59.3%, multiple responses allowed) and AI services (40.7%), both of which offer easy accessibility.

In particular, usage rates of AI-based fortune-telling services were significantly higher among younger age groups. Usage rates by age group were: 52.1% among those in their 20s, 45.1% in their 30s, 36.4% in their 40s, and 25.5% in their 50s. This reflects the demand among younger generations to seek advice and psychological comfort about an uncertain future through easily accessible AI fortune-telling services.

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