Lee Soo-geun, who is married to Park Ji-yeon, empathizes with the story of a shaman's son.
On the October 16th episode of KBS Joy's 'Ask Anything', airing at 8 PM, a veteran shaman who has been practicing for 40 years and upholding Korea's shamanic traditions appears as a guest.
The guest shares the struggles faced due to people's blind faith and prejudices, expressing how challenging it can be. He recounts personal anecdotes, admitting, "I feel burdened when people ask me about every trivial decision."
He candidly shares, "In everyday life, it could be personal choice or coincidence, but the blind faith in trivial matters is overwhelming." He adds, "I want to rest like a regular person, but people constantly seek answers from me," expressing his concerns.
Listening to this, Lee Soo-geun recalls, "When I was young, I would ask my mom, 'How will this year be for me?' instead of just asking how she was." He adds, "Even a shaman's son asks his mother such questions." He further comments, "I think of shamans as counselors. It's a counseling technique rooted in tradition."
Seo Jang-hoon advises the guest, "You need to completely separate your work as a shaman from your personal life. Only offer consultations when seated in the shrine, and tell people not to ask such questions outside of that time." He emphasizes the importance of maintaining boundaries, suggesting, "If someone continues to ask, it might be necessary to distance yourself from them."
The episode also explores various curiosities related to shamanism, such as the reason for sprinkling salt, the custom of not returning home immediately after a funeral, and the superstition against stepping on thresholds, examining the meanings behind these shamanic beliefs and traditional customs.
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr