There’s a Korean reality TV show called Battle of Fates that recently sparked discussion among occult enthusiasts. The show features a group of occult practitioners who gather to solve spirit-related challenges. The popularity of this genre can be traced back to the influential Russian reality series Battle of the Psychics. But did you know that Hong Kong‘s TVB channel has also produced an occult- and metaphysics-themed competition reality show that’s also winning in popularity?
The show is called Psychic King, and was produced back in 2022 before launching a second season the very next year, thanks to its success. It was hosted by Spencer Leung Sze Ho, a celebrity known for his performances in popular TVB drama series before transitioning primarily into hosting. Even before Psychic King, he had already earned the nickname “King of Ghosts” after hosting another HK-based paranormal show, The Unbelievable, for over 10 years. His bold and fearless hosting style has long been widely discussed, with antics like drinking water mixed with burned spell papers helping build that reputation.
As for Psychic King, Leung brought these distinct characteristics into the show, adding to its entertainment. The first season featured 15 participants from different schools of Chinese and Western spiritual practices. This diversity was a major reason why the series was so well received, as it became a modern showcase of ancient and often underrepresented techniques from both Eastern and Western traditions.
Some used Chinese horoscope systems and Thai ritual magic practices to calculate birth years and significant life events, attempting to guess when guests experienced major turning points, both bad and good, such as car accidents or marriages. Others relied on Kung Fu practices or Maya psychic traditions to sense and connect with the “upper life,” guessing which box contained a hidden object or which house was haunted. The show also accepted requests for help from the public. For example, the self-proclaimed witch Huihui helped a girl who had suffered multiple miscarriages release her unresolved attachment. As with any competition, there’s a winner—but we won’t do any spoilers here!
The second season, unfortunately, lost much of this diversity in psychic techniques and became comparatively bland. Nevertheless, Psychic King provides valuable documentation of both ancient and modern, Eastern and Western metaphysical practices. Whether you believe in the occult or not, it is fascinating to see how human values and pursuits shape belief systems—and how people seek emotional support through religion or psychic connections. As participants said in the program, these practices are not meant to change fate or make someone rich. They see themselves as intermediaries, using their perceived connection with unexplained spirits to help people who feel lost or in despair, which is arguably the most powerful aspect of the show.
Catch a glimpse of the show in the clip below, but you may need to do some psychic stuff yourself to understand what’s going on if you can’t speak or read Cantonese…
Cover Image via YouTube.
