Trusted honest treatment
In the vibrant heart of Hongdae,
filled with youthful energy,
I met a Korean medicine doctor
who listened with calmness and genuine warmth.
Armed with honesty, skill, and quiet confidence,
he had a remarkable ability to truly listen to people.
It was through that sincerity that he built trust,
allowing him to enjoy and embrace
each day with fulfillment.
Korean Medicine Dermatologist | Jung Sangwoo
Q. I read that you proudly mentioned
having zero complaints last year.
What do you think is the reason behind that?
When it comes to skin treatment,
dramatic transformations
are rarely possible overnight.
However, many patients come in after
being promised unrealistic results elsewhere,
only to feel disappointed when the outcome
falls short of expectations.
That’s why I always believe in being
completely honest with my patients.
I make sure to clearly explain what level
of improvement is realistically possible and
what can truly be achieved through treatment.
Of course, some patients leave because
a realistic answer may not be what they want to hear.
But I believe honesty builds trust.
And because I consistently deliver the results
I discuss during consultation or
often even better I think that’s
why my patients leave feeling satisfied.
Q. Even so, how do you usually
relieve stress from work?
I make it a point to travel once every quarter.
Having those trips to look forward
to helps me reset and manage stress.
I also enjoy workouts that really make me sweat,
and lately, I’ve started boxing.
Even back in school,
I was never the type to get pushed around.
But during sparring practice here,
I definitely take quite a few hits.
It’s not always the most enjoyable
experience, to be honest.
Still, after pushing myself and working up
a serious sweat, I always feel refreshed
and it’s one of the best ways for me to relieve stress.
Q. Being a doctor is often seen as
a profession without a retirement age,
but do you have any dreams
for the next chapter of your life?
During my three years of alternative
military service in Samcheok,
I worked at a small public health clinic.
At the time, with the permission of local residents,
I used an empty plot of land nearby
to grow corn, potatoes, and watermelons.
Of course, not everything grew successfully.
But even so, those moments spending
quiet pockets of time close to nature
while caring for patients remain
some of my fondest memories.
As I grow older,
I hope to one day live in a small village
along Korea’s East Coast, tending a farm.
I imagine listening to the everyday stories
of the people who come and go,
while caring for them and helping ease their pain.
That, to me, feels like a very meaningful way to live.
Q. Then what are you doing now
to prepare for that future?
I haven’t even bought a single piece
of land in Samcheok yet.
For now, I’m focused on enjoying
the present and living each day to the fullest.
Q. What is your favorite food? People
often assume doctors only eat healthy food.
That’s not necessarily true.
I actually enjoy foods like fried dishes,
fried chicken, and samgyeopsal. Samgyeopsal
But as I get older, I’ve become more aware
of the importance of taking care of my health.
So these days, I try to make more conscious
choices and seek out healthier foods.
Q. What do you usually do on your days off?
I do believe that sometimes doing
absolutely nothing is a form of rest.
At the same time,
when I remind myself that today
is the youngest I will ever be again,
I feel motivated to make the most of it.
Even if it’s something simple,
I like to go for a jog along
the Han River or take a drive.
That’s usually how I like to spend my time.
The air quality hasn’t been great lately,
so I don’t go out as often as I’d like.
But spending time by the Han River
is always refreshing.
Q. If Western medicine has something
like the Hippocratic Oath,
is there anything comparable
in Korean medicine?
There isn’t really a direct equivalent.
My journey into Korean medicine
was actually quite unique.
I initially studied veterinary medicine.
In medical fields, there’s often
an entirely different language to learn.
Even in veterinary school, people
wouldn’t simply say “cow” or “pig.”
It almost felt like there was a completely
separate world of terminology
used only within the profession.
Korean medicine is no different.
Instead of English terminology,
we are faced with countless classical
Chinese characters and medical terms
many of which are unfamiliar even to those
who are confident in reading Chinese characters.
At first, it can feel overwhelming.
But over time, as you continue studying
and working with these terms,
they gradually become familiar.
My decision to move from veterinary medicine
to Korean medicine wasn’t simply about language.
But looking back,
I feel this path suits me much better.
And choosing dermatology
within Korean medicine was an even
better decision one I’m especially glad I made.
Q. What was the lowest grade
or class rank you ever
had during your school years?
At my best in high school,
I was usually ranked around 7th or 8th in my class.
At my lowest, I think I dropped to around 30th.
It was a highly competitive school,
though roughly one-third of each class
went on to medical school.
So overall, it was definitely a very
academically demanding environment.
Q. Did you become a doctor
because you had the grades for it,
or did you work to achieve the grades
because you wanted to become a doctor?
I think there are people who fall into either category.
For me, it was somewhere in between.
I’d say it was about half and half.
Q. Is there anything you pay particular
attention to for your patients
during consultations
such as the way you speak, dress,
style your hair, or even scent?
In the beginning,
I used to wear perfume.
Since treatments often require working
in very close proximity to patients,
I initially wore it partly to make sure
I always smelled pleasant.
At some point, though,
I stopped wearing fragrance.
Interestingly, after that,
I realized patients began
remembering me not just visually,
but even through scent and presence.
At the clinic, I always try to maintain a clean,
polished, and professional appearance.
Outside of work, however,
my style is completely different.
I prefer casual, comfortable streetwear
sometimes to the point where I probably
look more like an athlete than a doctor.
In fact,
I sometimes wonder if the security guard
in this building sees me and thinks,
“That doctor dresses more like
a professional athlete.”
My parents have always encouraged me
to dress more neatly and look
more like a doctor, even in daily life.
But for now, I still prefer comfort
at least when I’m outside the clinic.
Q. What are your thoughts on Acmé de la Vie?
Because my work often involves constant
movement especially during procedures
such as acupuncture
I need clothing that allows me
to move freely and comfortably.
That’s what I appreciate
most about Acmé de la Vie.
The clothing moves naturally
with me without ever feeling restrictive.
I also really like the sophisticated color palette
and the overall quality and finish of the garments.
It’s rare to find true-to-size clothing
that feels this comfortable,
which makes a real difference in daily practice.
I’ve been with Acmé de la Vie
for quite some time now,
and it’s a brand I genuinely look
forward to continuing with.
I’ve even recommended it
enthusiastically to our associate director,
and it has effectively become part
of our clinic’s uniform.
I’ll continue cheering for Acmé de la Vie
and hope to see the brand keep growing.
