Interest in Eastern face reading has surged among Korea’s younger generation, fueled by a growing sense of uncertainty about the future. To explore this cultural phenomenon, Howdy Korea host Yasmin visited Kim Min-jung, a face-reading expert with 35 years of experience.
Face reading, known in Korean as gwansang, is an ancient East Asian belief that one’s destiny can be revealed through facial features and expressions. In Korea, the practice dates back to ancient times. It remains relevant in popular culture and everyday conversations.
For the first part of the session, Kim did a blind reading of a photo featuring an American man, Luigi Mangione.
Mangione made global headlines in late 2024 after being charged with fatally shooting former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the United States. Describing the health care system as “parasitic,” Mangione framed the act as a symbolic protest. While some viewed him as a rebel challenging medical capitalism, others condemned him as a criminal. He now faces federal and state-level charges, with a potential death sentence if convicted.
Based on his facial features alone, Kim concluded that Mangione had low cheekbones — indicating weak social fortune — and unusually thick eyebrows, which could lead to burnout or overwhelming personal strain. A broken forehead line, she explained, hinted at career instability. However, a beauty mark on his cheek signified natural charm and public likability — something that, she noted, made people instinctively warm to him. Yasmin, visibly impressed, exclaimed, “That’s amazing.”
Next, it was Yasmin’s turn. Sitting nervously in front of Kim, she was told that her high, rounded nose and clearly defined lips signaled strong fortune in both wealth and love. Kim emphasized that such lips often point to a fulfilling marriage and an ability to accumulate assets over time.
Kim then pointed out a set of fine, branching lines next to Yasmin’s nasolabial folds. These, she explained, are often found in people who aren’t content sticking to a single profession — individuals who thrive when juggling multiple roles. Yasmin, who works across various creative fields, was astonished at the accuracy, saying it captured her personality perfectly.
But the reading didn’t stop at surface-level observations. Kim stressed that face reading should serve as a tool for self-understanding, not just fortune-telling. “You have to get closer to yourself, trust your own path, and live a life that’s truly yours,” she said.
“I’ll remember those words for the rest of my life," Yasmin responded.
What started as a cultural experiment turned into a reflective and emotional experience. In a world filled with doubt, many are seeking ways to navigate their path, and for some, ancient traditions like face reading are offering surprising moments of clarity.