“I don’t believe in fate reading. I wonder if this is really true?” This remarks by actress and singer Kang Jiyeong caused mixed reactions, with some feeling uncomfortable and others wanting to prove her wrong. Her remarks are in relation to the new reality show on Disney+, Battle of Fates.

Since its premiere, the reality show has skyrocketed to become one of the most-watched series on Disney+. After seeing a few viral snippets, I just had to dive in to see what the hype was about. The show has been grabbing everyone’s attention with its eerie, fascinating deep dives into health, wealth and the supernatural.

The show features a panel of celebrity Fate Reapers such as Jeon Hyunmoo, Park Narae, Shindong, Lee Hosun and Kang Jiyeong. Their role is to verify the “truths” the contestants uncover by cross-referencing them with top-secret files kept right at their judging panels.

It is a massive production featuring 49 competitors who are masters of everything from shamanism and tarot to face and foot reading. They go head-to-head in challenges designed to push their intuition to the limit. It is fascinating to see the tools they used. You will get to see someone communing with spirit guides using traditional bells and dowsing rods one minute, and then someone else breaking down data on a modern-day laptop.

What really surprised me was the sheer variety of people involved. The contestants come from all walks of life, ranging from a professional archer and a corporate office worker to a dancer and even a PhD holder from KAIST, competing alongside the country’s most influential shamans. It becomes a compelling character study that intensifies as the stakes rise.

Battle of Fates is now streaming on Disney+!