Pet owners in Seoul are paying for tarot-card readings at fortune-telling shops to understand the thoughts of their animals [1].

The trend reflects a shifting social landscape in South Korea, where pets are increasingly filling the roles traditionally held by children. This surge in animal companionship is driven by the world’s lowest birth rate and the prohibitive costs of housing and education [3].

At specialized shops in the capital, owners bring their pets to seek guidance on their animals' emotional states or needs. One such client brought a greyhound named Khan to a session to glean insights into the dog's perspective [1].

These readings are becoming a niche service within the broader fortune-telling industry. As the cost of living rises, more residents are opting for pets over parenthood, a transition that has created a market for specialized animal-centric spiritual services [1], [3].

While traditional tarot focuses on human fate and romance, these sessions pivot toward the bond between humans and their pets. The practice allows owners to project care and curiosity onto their animals in a structured environment [2].

This cultural shift is not isolated to Seoul but is visible across the country as the demographic crisis continues to reshape the domestic sphere [3]. The rise of "pet-parenting" has led to a variety of high-end services designed to treat animals as family members [1].

“South Koreans are paying for pet-tarot readings at fortune-telling shops.”

The emergence of pet tarot readings is a symptom of South Korea's profound demographic crisis. As economic pressures and high education costs drive the birth rate to historic lows, the emotional investment previously reserved for children is being transferred to pets. This creates a new economic ecosystem where spiritual and psychological services are adapted to accommodate the 'pet-parent' identity.