A Good Show to Watch Today
Cheongcheon-myeon Public Health Center, staff quarters.
Chayoung was busy inputting Jia’s final data into a table and converting it into a graph, a task Kyungwoo had assigned her. Once finished, she took a deep breath and opened the folder on Bee Venom Acupuncture, which was packed with a dizzying amount of data.
Between preparing for the new clinic, working on the CRPS case study, and checking on her every day, the senior had already started preparing a new research paper. And he was doing it with an Oriental medicine doctor from another region who was an expert in bee venom.
"No wonder they call him a legend. He even let me participate in this paper, so I really have to work hard!"
From the perspective of Chayoung, who didn't know that 'the growth of a disciple' was essential for Kyungwoo’s situation, she could only be deeply grateful.
While she was diligently tearing through the data with wide, rabbit-like eyes, her phone rang.
"What does he want to talk about now?"
They were classmates, but not particularly close ones. However, they had been assigned to public health service around the same time, and since rural life was boring, he often called for no reason.
"I’m busy. What is it?"
"What could a public health doctor in a remote mountain village possibly be busy with? Did a lover come to visit?"
"I have tons of studying to do. Keep it brief."
"Wow. You’re really Gong Chayoung, studying even after becoming a public health doctor. We have two months left until discharge—have you decided where you’re going?"
Two months until discharge. It was a busy time for public health doctors. Those dreaming of opening their own clinics were diligently scouting locations and looking at transfer listings, while those wanting employment were having interviews and deciding their futures.
But for Gong Chayoung, all of that was unnecessary. Because... her own clinic was already waiting for her!
"I’ve decided to open my own clinic."
As Chayoung said this with a hint of pride, Shin Manjae was startled.
"I was going to brag about getting accepted as an associate doctor... but she’s opening a clinic? Where? Don't tell me, in Seoul?"
It was an era where not just universities, but even clinic locations in Seoul were coveted. Shin Manjae suppressed his envy and asked.
"Where?"
"Right here in this neighborhood."
"This neighborhood... you mean Goesan, Chungbuk?"
Shin Manjae let out a scoff, unable to help himself.
"Hey, Gong Chayoung. You’ve done three years of public health service, aren't you sick of it? Money is good, but you want to live in the countryside even longer? How much is the premium?"
"It’s free."
"What? If it’s a free transfer, the redemption won't be much either. Why take something like that? Honestly, you have no sense of reality—"
"Ugh, you’re loud. What about you?"
Gong Chayoung might lack meta-cognition, but she wasn't oblivious. Usually, when someone calls first to ask where you’re going, it’s just a setup to brag. Sure enough, Shin Manjae boasted.
"I got accepted as an associate doctor."
"Oh, you have two months left, and you already got it?"
"It wasn't an official posting, but through a referral. It’s a place run by a senior from our school, and they only hire Gyeong-hyeon University graduates as associate doctors. They don't trust the skills of kids from other places."
"That’s great. Congratulations."
Shin Manjae hurriedly added to her unenthusiastic congratulations.
"But it’s a Somyung chain, you know?"
"Somyung Oriental Medicine Network?"
"Yeah. It’s the Gwanggyo branch. It seems if you work as an associate doctor at the chain for a few years and get lucky, you get a branch. The senior here—no, the director here—followed that route too. This place is doing insanely well. All the other Oriental medicine clinics in the area have been wiped out."
Shin Manjae’s voice was filled with pride. It was understandable. Just because you get your license at the same time doesn't mean you start at the same line. Successful chain clinics don't just hand out branches because you pay the franchise fee. The number of branches is limited, and since opportunities often go to existing associate doctors, the competition for associate positions is fierce.
But there was something else Gong Chayoung thought was important.
"Learn well. I’ve found that your first mentor is really important."
Since it was a Gyeong-hyeon University senior there, she thought that perhaps, just as she had met Hyun Kyungwoo, Shin Manjae might have found such an opportunity too. Shin Manjae asked back at her strange remark.
"Mentor? Are you going somewhere to learn something these days?"
"Yeah. That leg... no, the director who is near this branch."
Chayoung hid the identity of the '10-class legend' whom Shin Manjae would surely know. She didn't know for sure, but... perhaps the reason Kyungwoo had come down to this countryside and strictly limited his appointments for a while was because he didn't want his whereabouts known.
"What could you possibly learn from a countryside director like that? Is that why you’re opening a clinic there? Think again. With your grades, you could get into Somyung too."
"But I don't want to go to Somyung?"
When her blank, honest answer came back, Shin Manjae felt frustrated. A person who was always better than him without even trying. He had hoped that this time, she might be a little envious...
"Don't come crying to me later when you regret it."
The call cut off abruptly. Chayoung tilted her head once and began organizing the data again. Late that day, the completed data was delivered to Kyungwoo. After a final review of the paper, Kyungwoo went to the Korean Oriental Medicine Science Society website and proceeded with the submission.
Click—
The submission was complete.
The following weekend, Kyungwoo went up to Bundang.
[Somyung Oriental Medicine Clinic, Suwon Gwanggyo Branch]
"He managed to get a branch like this."
According to the mechanics of franchises he’d heard from friends, even in the Gyeonggi area, such prime locations rarely came up. He found out that when the previous director quit for personal reasons, Lee Taeyoung’s turn had luckily come up.
"Thanks to him, I’m grateful."
Even if he was an annoying classmate, he couldn't go all the way to the provinces just to shut that guy’s mouth. It was fortunate that he was thriving without crisis in a prime spot close to Seoul. Because that success was perfect for him to trample underfoot.
"A corner building at a subway station intersection. The rent must be astronomical."
Second floor of a medical building. The flashy sign that surely violated regulations and the full-window wrapping displayed numerous diseases that Somyung claimed to 'specialize' in. Along with that...
[Saving patients is our calling.]
The disgusting catchphrase plastered in large letters caught his eye. Kyungwoo almost spat out a curse.
"I really need to get that sign taken down soon."
Vowing once more, Kyungwoo took in the entire intersection where the Somyung clinic was located. There was one building at each corner of the intersection. The one with the most foot traffic was the medical building where Somyung was located.
"I wouldn't be able to get into the same building..."
Kyungwoo crossed the street and toured the other three buildings one by one. The first building was an old commercial building with a 24-hour convenience store and a snack bar on the first floor. A 'For Lease' sign on the window caught his eye, but the cramped space in the corner of the second floor didn't seem suitable for an Oriental medicine clinic.
The second building was a clean-looking complex that seemed to have been recently remodeled. A brand-name clothing store occupied the first floor, and the second and third floors housed academies, a dermatology clinic, and a dental clinic. There was a lot of foot traffic, but no vacancy signs were visible.
His gaze stopped at the third building. It was a building with a modern design; the first floor housed a large pharmacy, a cafe, and a real estate office on the side, while an orthopedic clinic and a dermatology clinic were visible on the second floor. And on the third floor, a large corner space had a 'For Lease' banner hanging.
Kyungwoo went up to that building. The front of the empty unit was made of floor-to-ceiling glass, so Somyung’s large sign was clearly visible from here as well.
"This is it."
A smile spread across Kyungwoo’s lips. The wide-open view from the corner location was aimed precisely at Somyung. It was a space that even had the strategic advantage of looking down from a floor higher than Somyung.
"The problem is the rent."
If it’s a decent location but vacant, could it be because the rent is too high? The real estate agent on the first floor solved that question.
"The vacancy on the third floor, is this listed with you?"
"Yes. Why?"
"I’m interested. How much are the deposit and rent?"
"What are you planning to do?"
"An Oriental medicine clinic."
"Ah, they probably won't accept an Oriental medicine clinic."
Kyungwoo’s brow twitched. He had heard of such things before. Stories of building owners who didn't like Oriental medicine clinics moving into their medical buildings, or those who demanded off-site herbal medicine preparation because of the smell.
"Does the building owner have bad feelings toward Oriental medicine clinics?"
"It’s not that... but you’d be better off looking elsewhere. There’s a famous franchise Oriental medicine clinic right in front of your nose."
"You mean Somyung?"
"Ever since that moved in, all the Oriental medicine clinics around here have gone bankrupt. It’s like a big-box store moving into a market where small shops were sharing the business."
"Is that the reason they won't accept an Oriental medicine clinic?"
The agent nodded.
"The third floor here is strangely a spot that has failed a few times... the building owner told me to find a business that will last a long time next. He said he doesn't care if it stays vacant for a few months."
"Sounds like a guy with some money."
But Kyungwoo wasn't in a position to back down. He had already chosen his target, and this was the only place suitable in terms of location.
"Why don't you give him a call?"
"Hey, I told you it won't work. The building owner here is someone who doesn't need anything."
"I’ll talk to him."
The agent, who had tried to stop him a few times, reluctantly picked up the phone and punched in the numbers. After a few rings, a younger-than-expected man’s voice leaked from the receiver.
"What is it?"
"A client came for the third-floor vacancy at Haesol Building. He says the business is an Oriental medicine clinic..."
"Are you trying to make this place known as a spot where businesses fail? Refuse him and send him away."
"You heard him, right?"
But Kyungwoo snatched the receiver from the agent’s hand.
"Hello. I’m the Oriental medicine doctor who inquired. I like this place very much."
"...Sigh, um, how should I explain this... It’s true that Somyung is the only Oriental medicine clinic at that intersection. You might have calculated that you could make a living just by taking the leftover patients, but they’ve all gone bankrupt and disappeared. The vacancy on the second floor of the Myeongshin Building across the street was also an Oriental medicine clinic."
His explanation was kind compared to his blunt tone.
"From my perspective, it might be a profitable deal to have anyone move in and fill the vacancy quickly, but in the long term, it’s not great. It’s not like I can nag for rent once or twice when it’s obvious there’s no revenue. I’m telling you this for your own sake. This isn't a good neighborhood for an Oriental medicine clinic, so look for another spot."
"But... his tone is strangely familiar."
"I’m confident I can do well."
"Everyone is full of confidence before they open. Somyung is right in front of you, what are you going to do, stay open 365 days a year?"
"No."
"Then a place with several associate doctors, fancy physical therapy equipment, and lots of service?"
"No. Just a regular Oriental medicine clinic."
He had no intention of competing on price or service. He couldn't win against the sheer volume of a large franchise anyway. But why did this person know so much about Oriental medicine clinics?
"Then how can you compete?"
"I just have to be good at treatment, right?"
Puhahaha—
Laughter burst out from the other side of the receiver, unable to be contained.
"You’re a teacher full of dreams and ideals. Try fixing me once. Then I’ll give you the spot."
It was a mocking remark, but Kyungwoo replied without flinching.
"If you’re nearby, come over. I’ll fix you."
A sound like he was barely holding back laughter flowed out again.
"Where are you going to treat me?"
"There’s a nice sofa at the real estate office. We can do it there."
"What about acupuncture?"
"I carry it with me. How long will it take you?"
"I can't move very fast, so about 40 minutes?"
"I need to see the atmosphere here too, so take your time. Let’s meet at 3:00."
As Kyungwoo calmly gave him some leeway and hung up, the real estate owner clapped his hands.
"Wow, great confidence. I’m going to see a good show today."
3:00 PM.
"You’re here, Mr. Shin."
Shin Nakhyun, the owner of Haesol Building, sauntered into the real estate office. Wearing sweatpants and Crocs, anyone would think he was just a neighborhood bum, but his true identity was a silver-spoon building owner...
"Where’s that Oriental medicine doctor?"
"He went out to look around the neighborhood a bit more."
Shin Nakhyun thought he wouldn't return.
"I thought I’d met an interesting character for the first time in a while."
He might have had a sudden realization after hearing his explanation, or maybe he realized this wasn't it while looking around the neighborhood again. Well... it wasn't surprising, as there were plenty of people who acted like they would sign a contract right away and then disappear, but it was a bit of a shame since he’d come all this way.
Jingle—
But at 3:05, while he was talking to the real estate owner about tenant issues, the door opened.
"Oh, you’re here!"
"I apologize. I went into an alley and there was no way out, so I had to go all the way around."
But... the side profile of the man talking to the real estate agent was familiar...?
Shin Nakhyun stood up abruptly without realizing it.
"Director Hyun Kyungwoo?"
Shin Nakhyun wore an expression of disbelief. The Oriental medicine doctor who had treated his illness the best. The person he hadn't been able to find no matter how much he searched after he quit was standing right in front of his eyes.