Do you know in NCT’s Johnny’s Communication Center (JCC), Johnny and Doyoung celebrated the New Year by visiting a saju and tarot café? Doyoung was surprised to find his career luck aligned with his comeback schedule, while Johnny found it fascinating how colorful his life could be. Inspired by their excitement, I decided to visit two fortune-telling spots myself. If you're curious about your destiny or want a unique experience in Korea, I recommend giving it a try—but remember, it’s all just for fun and not scientifically backed!

| Modern Witches of Saju Tarot Love Compatibility

Credit: Modern Witches of Saju Tarot Love Compatibility

The first café I visited was ‘Modern Witches of Saju Tarot Love Compatibility.’ I chose this café because it’s known for offering consultations in English and Chinese. It’s also frequently visited by celebrities, including NCT members Johnny and Doyoung, my favorite idols. The café's popularity in a bustling area means it often has walk-in visitors, but its cozy space—complete with charms and roulette games—ensures you won’t get bored while waiting.

At this café, you can pick between comprehensive fortune-telling, love fortunes, or career fortunes using either saju or tarot. I went with the comprehensive Saju reading, the café’s most popular option. Since I’d shared my gender, birth date, and birth time when making the reservation, the session kicked off right away. For 30 minutes, I got to hear interpretations of my fortune and jot down notes—such an engaging experience!

I wasn’t expecting much at first, but as the session went on, I found myself leaning in, fully captivated. The consultant’s interpretation of my innate personality and values closely matched what I already thought about myself, which was quite surprising. I’d been grappling with some career concerns, so it was reassuring to hear that my current job suits my aptitude. As for my love fortune, I was told there’s a high chance I’ll meet and marry someone within the next three years, which already has me excited about what’s to come!

The reading felt more credible because the consultant didn’t sugarcoat things, addressing not only the positives but also the challenges that came with them. Rather than approaching it with the intention of making major life decisions, I’d recommend visiting when you’re seeking advice for smaller concerns.

| Healing Saju Tarot Miracle

After learning more about myself, I couldn’t help but wonder what my favorite idol’s personality might be like. That curiosity led me to ‘Healing Saju Tarot Miracle,’ a café famous for its fan tarot readings. By simply sharing your idol’s birth date, you can get a fun peek into their personality traits—just for fun, of course! One wall of the café was covered in fan-written messages to their idols, showing just how many people had visited for the same reason as me. There were even letters in foreign languages, likely because they also offer consultations in English and Japanese. Reading through them one by one was also entertaining!

This café takes reservations by the hour. I booked a 30-minute tarot session, which typically allows for three questions. If you’re unsure what to ask, there’s a handy questionnaire to guide you. I used it myself and asked: ① what my favorite idol’s hidden personality is, ② how long I’d stay a fan, and ③ who I’m more compatible with—my top favorite or my second favorite.

The consultant calculated a “birthday number” from my idol’s birth date and drew several tarot cards to interpret the results. Here’s what I learned: ① My favorite idol is good at managing anger but tends to worry a lot. ② (Thankfully) I can decide how long I stay a fan. ③ Interestingly, I’m more compatible with my second favorite idol. Since I’d been torn about which one to focus on lately, this clarity felt oddly comforting!

Though fan tarot may seem absurd, it was a unique and meaningful experience. I felt both validated as a fan and acknowledged for my affection for someone. If you want to learn more about your favorite idol, I recommend giving it a try for fun!

* This column was last updated in November 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to confirm details before visiting.