What's Driving South Korea's MZ Generation To The Occult?

Viva Luna Studios / Netflix / Showbox / EDKO Films / Designed by Kpopmap

South Korea is famous for its cutting-edge technology and rapid modernization. However, as a fascinating paradox, a growing number of its MZ generation (Millennials and GenZ) are embracing ancient spiritual practices. Despite over half of the citizens identifying as non-religious, shamanism, tarot, and other Korean occult practices are experiencing a striking resurgence.

Google Trends reveals that searches for “shaman” and “fortune-telling” in Korean have nearly doubled over the past five years. Meanwhile, occult themes are dominating box offices and streaming platforms. This reflects a cultural shift where the nation's youth are turning to the supernatural for answers in an uncertain world.

 

The Resurgence of Shamanism: From Suppression to Spotlight

Shamanism in Korea, known as mu, is practiced by mudang (shamans) who mediate between humans and spirits. They perform rituals like gut, involving chanting, dancing, and sending offerings to deities such as the Mountain God or Dragon King. Historically, these practices were suppressed during Japanese colon