Modern shamanism in South Korea

Though shamanism is often something assumed to be from the past, in South Korea it is more popular than one might think. Nowadays, the estimated number of Shamans in South Korea is 300.000, and it is quite common to seek help from one. Some of the main tasks of shamans are the healing of sick people and the prevention of disasters. A shaman can also serve as a fortune teller. A shaman has a holistic approach, which means they see the person as a whole. This approach is different from that of psychologists, who treat people based on specific problems. Some people in South Korea prefer the shamanistic approach over that of psychologists, also because of the mental illness stigma that is still present in today’s Korean society. The most common reasons for people nowadays to visit a shaman are to treat physical or mental illness or to prevent disaster and find luck.

As shamanism is a common and well-known practice in South Korea, it can also be seen in popular media such as drama series. Many Korean drama series feature shamans, both in historical and modern settings. Main characters are often seen trying to contact deceased loved ones or having their future predicted. Usually, it is not seen as something weird or special, but rather as an ordinary activity. Sometimes the shaman women in Korean dramas are portrayed as slightly crazy, joking around with the shaman's ability. Still, the shaman ritual is taken quite seriously. Besides the fortune-telling rituals, characters in tv shows can often be seen using talismans made by shamans, which protect against bad luck and bad spirits.