Low-Price Saju Ads and Extra Fees in South Korea: Why a 10,000-Won Reading Can Cost More
In October 2026, South Korea’s SBS reported on some fortune-telling shops that attracted customers with a low price and then added charges during the consultation, citing more questions or a different service. The sign and the final bill did not match. Customers sometimes learned the total only after sitting down and sharing private concerns.
The issue does not depend on whether a reading is accurate. It begins with the right to know the price. A provider should explain the scope, duration, itemized charges and total before the service starts. A customer should be able to refuse add-ons without pressure.
What the report says about complaint figures
SBS reported on October 13, 2026 that applications for consumer-relief assistance concerning fortune-telling services at the Korea Consumer Agency numbered 0 in 2021, 7 in 2022, 18 in 2023, 6 in 2024 and 20 in 2025. These applications are not a complete count of all consumer disputes and do not establish the industry-wide rate of violations.
Issues described in the report included a mismatch between advertised low prices and the amount charged, extra items added during a consultation and difficulty estimating the final bill in advance. When presenting the figures, it is important to say they are officially received consumer-relief applications, not all complaints or cases confirmed by a court.
Why added charges can be hard to refuse
Once a customer has shared concerns about a relationship, family or work, a provider may suggest “looking at one more thing.” The customer may worry about missing important information. Paying a low price to begin can also create a sense that leaving would waste the time and private details already shared.
This is not unique to fortune-telling shops. Beauty services, repairs, consulting and online entertainment can all involve unclear quotes. The key is to make the price predictable before the service, rather than disclosing it only after a person is emotionally invested or feels they have already paid a sunk cost.
What to confirm before a consultation
Before entering, ask what the base price covers and for how long, whether fees change by question or item, and whether packages, recordings, reports or follow-up services cost extra. If a new service is suggested, ask for the full price before deciding whether to continue. Starting a consultation does not obligate a customer to accept every add-on.
Providers should display prices clearly and give written confirmation. Customers should be able to end a service at any point. Online booking and payment pages should show the price next to the payment action, without virtual currency or vague units obscuring the real amount.
What transparent pricing should look like at Mystilink
A digital divination tool can list its features and prices directly: what is free, when a subscription renews, what a one-time service includes and how to cancel or request a refund. If AI chat is billed by usage, it should show the amount already spent and the expected cost. Any claim that something is “free” should explain its limits.
This is a concrete standard Mystilink can use to distinguish its own service. There is no need to accuse all in-person practitioners. State the total price, scope and data practices clearly, and make sure the page matches what customers are actually charged.
Clear prices make consent meaningful
A 10,000-won sign that does not explain add-on conditions makes it hard to compare services. The SBS report is a reminder to practitioners and platforms that price transparency is not fine print at checkout. Customers need that information before deciding to enter the service.