My life of learning and sharing
Dentist | Yumi Jung
Q. Aside from the clinic,
where do you think best
represents who you are?
Without a doubt, the equestrian center.
Being there with people
who share the same passion,
yet come from completely different
professions and life experiences,
makes me feel truly happy and free.
Last year, I earned my horseback riding
certification and now also work
as an instructor teaching children.
Being around bright, cheerful
kids brings me so much joy.
I’ve been involved in volunteer work
as a dentist for many years, but participating
in therapeutic horseback riding for people
with disabilities has taught me
so much on a deeper level.
It allows me to grow not just as a doctor,
but as Yumi—the person.
Spending my Sundays at the stable,
connecting with people and bonding with horses,
gives me a sense of peace and joy.
That time helps relieve the stress
of the week and gives me the energy
to start the next one fully recharged.
Sometimes I think that if I ever stop being a dentist,
I could see myself living a life centered
around teaching and learning horseback riding.
Q. While pursuing various hobbies,
when have you felt your sense of achievement
most strongly? Why do you think that is?
Recently, I felt that most strongly
when I began competing in
horseback riding competitions.
Once I start something, I’m the type of person
who wants to see it through to the end.
When I truly want to excel at something,
I use every bit of spare time I have
as long as it doesn’t affect my patient schedule.
Early mornings, evenings, weekends
I invest all of that time.
I’m very good at managing my time.
When you start breaking your schedule down,
sometimes you end up planning
your day in five-minute increments.
But that’s also how I make
the most of every moment.
I believe effort always leads to something.
Even if it doesn’t bring the absolute best result,
it will always come back in the form
of meaningful progress.
Q. What drew you to horseback riding?
Q. As someone who enjoys
taking on new challenges,
I imagine you’ve discovered unfamiliar
sides of yourself along the way.
When was the moment you felt
most unfamiliar to yourself?
I’ve always been a positive person.
Even when things don’t go as planned,
I rarely dwell on disappointment.
Instead, I focus on preparing better
and taking on the next challenge.
But there was one moment
that made me realize I wasn’t
only the person I thought I was.
I’m usually very gentle and careful
with both my words and actions.
But during one particularly cold day
at a riding competition,
my horse was much more tense
and unsettled than I had expected.
Perhaps because I was nervous myself,
I ended up handling the horse
more harshly than I realized.
After the competition,
I found out my horse had developed
a wound inside its mouth.
There had even been bleeding during the event,
which resulted in a score deduction.
In dressage, if a horse is injured during competition,
it can lead to disqualification or penalties.
But beyond the result,
what hurt me most was knowing
that I had caused pain to my horse.
I felt deeply sorry and spent
a long time regretting my actions.
Since then, I’ve become even more mindful,
caring, and loving toward my horse.
But the version of myself
I saw that day felt truly unfamiliar.
Q. As a doctor, what do you think
makes you different from others?
Q. What is a question you would most
like to hear from your patients,
and what compliment means the most to you?
If I had to choose a question, it would be:
“What are your limits, Dr. Yumi Jung?”
And the compliments that mean
the most to me are words like these:
“I’m so grateful I found you for my treatment.”
“I’m truly satisfied with the results.”
“Now I can smile with confidence.”
Hearing those words reminds
me why I do what I do.
Q. Is there a patient experience
that remains especially memorable to you?
One of the most unforgettable experiences
from my career was during a TV makeover
program called Let Me In.
There was a participant named Kim Baekju.
(She has since changed her name.)
She had lost her parents at a young age,
and because her damaged teeth
had been left untreated for years, most of them
were severely broken or affected by decay.
She had even lost her front teeth,
which made it difficult for her to smile
and caused repeated setbacks during job interviews.
Over the course of the three-month program,
she underwent implant treatment
and 28 cosmetic dental procedures.
After the show, I also continued helping
her with orthodontic treatment.
What moved me most wasn’t
only her physical transformation.
She became more confident, happier,
and eventually pursued a completely
new path in life.
She later became a nursing assistant,
choosing a profession where she could help
and care for others just as
she had once been helped.
She told me that the treatment
had changed her life.
Even after the program ended,
we stayed in touch.
When she passed her nursing assistant exam,
I was one of the first people she contacted.
Whenever I think of her,
I’m reminded that even the most difficult
treatments and challenging patients can be
healed not only through my hands,
but also through genuine care.
That experience gave me profound
confidence in the work I do.
Q. Outside of your work as a doctor,
what is one thing you could never
give up in your limited time?
Q. Outside of the clinic,
what do you think brings out the most
charming side of you as Yumi Jung?
Q. As Yumi Jung the individual,
and as Dr. Yumi Jung,
how would you like to be remembered?
As Yumi, I hope to be remembered
in many meaningful ways.
As someone people would want to meet
again, even in another lifetime.
As someone who makes others
feel good simply by being around.
As someone loyal, constantly learning,
and always striving to grow.
As someone who is thoughtful,
generous, and genuinely cares for others.
I also hope to be remembered as someone
who knows how to work hard,
rest well, and enjoy life
yet still has unexpected imperfections
that make me human and relatable.
As Dr. Yumi Jung,
I hope to be remembered as someone skilled,
attentive, and deeply thoughtful.
Someone who communicates well,
empathizes sincerely, and approaches
every patient with compassion
and a spirit of service.
More than anything,
I hope people leave with one simple thought:
“She is truly a warm-hearted doctor.”
