The Opening of Hyenin Oriental Hospital
“Cha Yeonhee...?”
As she removed her sunglasses, an undeniable aura radiated from her. She was a powerhouse actress in her mid-thirties. Though she had spent a long time in obscurity, she had become a top-tier star five years ago after her performance as a scene-stealing supporting character in the massive Netflix hit Flex, where her acting ability and star power were finally recognized.
“Are you Cha Yeonhee?”
“Yes, hello. You’re Director Hyun Kyungwoo, right? Thank you so much for treating my husband so well.”
She was even more overwhelming in person than on camera. How to put it—she wasn’t just a beautiful woman; she possessed a bewitching atmosphere where even the slightest gesture left a lingering impression. There wasn’t even a gram of the vain, attention-seeking social media star she had played in Flex.
“I didn’t realize your wife was such a famous person.”
“Haha, well, yes. A little.”
Shin Nakhyun, standing beside his wife, exuded an unmistakable sense of affection and pride.
“Lately, so many people recognize her that we don’t really go out on dates much. I was actually relieved to see that the clinic has private rooms. I thought it would be comfortable to bring Yeonhee here whenever she wasn’t feeling well.”
Kyungwoo nodded. It was a bit surprising that the wife of someone he’d been seeing frequently was a celebrity he recognized, but he wasn’t particularly stirred by it.
‘She’s just another patient, after all.’
Back at Daeo Oriental Hospital, he had seen his fair share of famous politicians and entertainers. Actually, come to think of it, he’d seen plenty back at the Kyung-hyun University Korean Medicine Hospital, too. Though back then, the attending physician had been Professor In Gyeonghak, not him.
“Since we operate on an appointment basis, please feel free to bring her in whenever you need. Shall we begin the consultation?”
The three of them headed to their respective stations. As Kyungwoo entered his office, he could hear faint sounds from outside through the gap he had intentionally left between the wall and the glass partition.
“Hello, this is Hyenin Oriental Hospital. Is this your first visit?”
“Yes.”
“Please fill out your name and personal details here.”
A moment later, guided by Kang Sera, Cha Yeonhee entered the office.
“Welcome. What brings you in today?”
“I haven’t been sleeping well lately, and the quality of my sleep has really dropped.”
“When did these symptoms start?”
“It’s been about two weeks since it got worse. I tend to get very nervous before starting a new project.”
“Let’s start by checking your pulse.”
He placed his fingers on Cha Yeonhee’s wrist. As always, information flooded in. He closed his eyes and felt the flow of the human body as it gradually became clear.
After some additional questioning, he spoke.
“You are naturally a healthy person. Because you’ve been under stress, you have severe stiffness in your neck and shoulders. We’ll resolve that, and in doing so, we’ll take care of the insomnia as well.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Then, please move to the treatment room.”
As Cha Yeonhee opened the door and stepped out, Park Miyoung was waiting right there. But... why were her arms and legs moving forward together as she walked?
“T-this way, please!”
Kyungwoo looked on, puzzled by Miyoung’s robot-like gait.
‘She hasn’t said a word since earlier... is she not feeling well?’
It was true that Miyoung’s physical state was abnormal. Her blood circulation was rapid, her pulse was racing, and her face was flushed bright red.
“Please change into these clothes and lie down here. Oh, using the chest pillow and resting your forehead here will be more comfortable.”
“Yes, thank you for your kind guidance.”
“O-o-oh, it’s nothing!”
Park Miyoung walked out again, stiffly clanking along. After the hot pack and physical therapy were finished, Kyungwoo entered the treatment room.
“I will begin the acupuncture treatment.”
Kyungwoo started with her neck and shoulders.
Swish—
The Fengchi point to release tension in the neck. The Jianjing point to lower the pressure in the trapezius. After clearing the muscle trigger points with MPS and inserting needles into the trapezius Botox points he had used on Kkachi, Kyungwoo finally rolled up her pant leg.
“Did you know? One of the most important acupuncture points for Nakhyun’s treatment is located exactly opposite the point I’m about to use for you, Yeonhee.”
“Oh, really?”
“The Shenmai point is where the Yangqiao vessel begins; it has the function of regulating the body’s Yang, making it essential for spinal-related disorders. And the Zhaohai point is...”
Kyungwoo pressed the concave area below the inner ankle bone.
“...a place that regulates the body’s Yin, making it a very important point for controlling neuropsychiatric symptoms like insomnia and anxiety.”
“Ah...”
“I’m going to stimulate this area to draw down the energy that has surged upward due to your stress. Zhaohai and Shenmai are essentially a pair of points that regulate the body’s Yin and Yang.”
“That’s fascinating. A pair of points...”
The moment the needle entered Zhaohai and a light, gentle stimulation was applied, Cha Yeonhee began to drift off into a deep sleep.
“Oh... why am I like this?”
“You haven’t been able to sleep for days. Just close your eyes while you get the treatment.”
After Kyungwoo closed the door to the treatment room, Cha Yeonhee truly fell fast asleep.
Knock, knock.
“I’m removing the needles!”
‘She actually... slept?’
Fifteen minutes had been deleted in an instant. Even though it was a short nap, it was so deep that she felt a refreshing clarity in her mind. Once Park Miyoung removed all the needles, she rotated her neck; the nape of her neck, which had felt heavy as if something were sitting on it for a long time, felt light as a feather.
“Wow, there’s a reason my husband wouldn’t stop singing your praises. Director, you are truly excellent at acupuncture.”
“Yes! Our Director is truly the best at treatment!”
Whenever she said that, Miyoung’s stiffness suddenly vanished, and she raised her voice with confidence.
Finally, after Miyoung guided Cha Yeonhee out of the treatment room, Kyungwoo asked, “So, could you tell me how you felt?”
Cha Yeonhee began to share her impressions of the treatment.
“First of all, everything was wonderful. The atmosphere of the clinic, the kindness of the staff, and the Director’s skill go without saying. I think this is a clinic anyone would want to visit again, but...”
She began her review with sincere praise. However, being a delicate actress, a sharp critique followed...
“If I had to find something to point out, the music was a bit loud. It was fine in the waiting room, but when lying down in the treatment room, I think it would be better if it were a bit quieter. Wouldn’t it be better to manage the volume of the two spaces separately?”
Kang Sera scribbled it down.
“The treatment gown was a robe style, but for women, wouldn’t a tube-top style like the ones used in skin care clinics be more comfortable? Also...”
After mentioning a few more things, Cha Yeonhee said one last thing.
“And... personally, while I liked the treatment room staff member because she was kind and cute, I think she was too nervous.”
‘Nervous...?’
Kyungwoo, who knew Park Miyoung’s personality well—she was someone who would speak her mind even in front of the county governor—was puzzled, but Park Miyoung spoke up, stuttering.
“I-it’s not that... it’s because I’m a fan...!”
“A fan? My fan?”
“Yes! I’ve liked you since I was twenty, but since I live in the countryside, this is the first time I’ve seen you in person!”
Park Miyoung’s face turned bright red. If she had liked her since she was twenty, it had been nearly seven or eight years; she was a die-hard fan from her days of obscurity.
Shin Nakhyun chimed in, looking even more delighted.
“You were a fan of Yeonhee?”
“Y-yes...”
Park Miyoung hung her head, embarrassed. Kyungwoo chuckled and made an excuse for her.
“I thought it was strange, too. She’s a hardworking and calm friend, but when she was guiding you earlier, her hands and feet were moving in sync.”
“Oh, really? That’s why...”
Cha Yeonhee smiled brightly and winked at Park Miyoung, who then clutched her chest.
“Ugh...”
“I’m so happy to meet you. Shall we take a photo together?”
“Yes? Y-yes...!”
While one lucky fan was taking a photo with her favorite actress, Shin Nakhyun said to Kyungwoo, “Oh, Director. I’d like to have some herbal medicine made for Yeonhee, too.”
“Nakhyun, you absolutely must combine your treatment with medicine, but for Yeonhee, it’s not strictly necessary.”
“She’s starting a new project soon, so I want to make sure she takes some tonics. Is the card terminal up and running?”
“Yes, it was connected starting today.”
“Then please charge for Yeonhee’s tonics and three months’ worth of my treatment medicine all at once. The best quality you have.”
After the first refreshing payment was processed, Kyungwoo thought to himself.
‘I hope I can source some high-quality medicinal ingredients for Nakhyun.’
For general illnesses, standard medicinal ingredients infused with a bit of polarity were enough to produce sufficient performance. But for intractable diseases like this, it would be great if medicinal ingredients with excellent efficacy—like the wild ginseng he used for Jia—could be the kicker...
‘I should get in touch with Kkachi.’
With that thought, Kyungwoo saw off the first patients of Hyenin Oriental Hospital.
After the two of them left...
“Huuuuh....”
Park Miyoung, completely drained of energy, melted into a puddle.
“I can’t believe Nakhyun was a ‘Gye-ju’...”
“Gye-ju?”
“A lucky fan who hit the jackpot. Their love story is famous. It’s pure, unadulterated devotion.”
Come to think of it, he had been a little curious about how Shin Nakhyun, who had been battling ankylosing spondylitis for ten years, had managed to get married.
“They got married knowing about it.”
“Knowing?”
“Yes. But it made sense, because I heard the Gye-ju had been chasing her since she was in her early twenties, back when she was a total unknown. He even begged her not to quit acting when she wanted to give up. He told her his eye for talent had never been wrong, that the world would soon recognize her, and he supported her in every way possible...”
They dated for five years, and in her late twenties, Shin Nakhyun was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Nakhyun had tried to let Yeonhee go back then...
“Even though the actress looks so soft and elegant, she has incredible backbone. She asked him what he was talking about, proposed to him right then and there, and they got married. And five years after that, just as the Gye-ju said, the world began to recognize her. I really wondered what kind of man would meet a woman like that, but...”
Whether it was loyalty or love, Park Miyoung seemed to have a firm preference for single-minded devotion. At that moment, Kang Sera tossed in a realistic comment.
“What kind of man? A building owner?”
“Aaaah! I didn’t hear that! I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that!”
Watching Park Miyoung cover her ears, the two of them chatted.
“Anyway... it’s unexpected, given her image. Fifteen years of single-minded devotion.”
“Indeed.”
“Maybe he’s so confident in his eye for talent that he’s pushing our clinic, too...”
Come to think of it, that might be true. Perhaps Shin Nakhyun had a penchant for recognizing raw gems with his own eyes and supporting them to the very end. With that fleeting thought, the day before the opening of Hyenin Oriental Hospital passed.
And the next day,
Finally, the morning of the opening D-day dawned.
***
The morning of the opening day.
Kyungwoo arrived at the clinic at the crack of dawn. Book-bugi spoke up again, sounding anxious.
“Oh healer... I am overjoyed that you have begun your work as a physician once more, but why did you see a mere two patients yesterday?”
“If your desire has not yet ripened, I shall tell you a story: The one called the Divine Physician cared for a hundred patients a day, yet did not neglect a single one. His pulse diagnosis sufficed with a single touch, and his needle brought forth waves of healing with but one prick. His fame spread like clouds, and the sick gathered from all directions, yet he never lost his beginner’s mind. You, too, possess the sufficient qualities to reach such a level of divinity.”
“Hey, now you’re comparing me to others.”
[It is not that...]
Well, he must be desperate if he’s acting like that. Kyungwoo, feeling a bit more generous since the medical text had granted his request without attaching other conditions, told him the truth.
“I’m starting official consultations from today.”
[A most excellent decision!]
‘The first consultation.’
It was a day of great significance for Kyungwoo as well. The dream he had held since he was very young: to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and become a great oriental doctor. Although that goal had changed into a mission to take down the sign of Somyeong—after his father was deceived and the name was stolen, and Somyeong had turned worldly, contrary to his grandfather’s wishes—the essence remained the same.
If he treated patients with sincerity and cured them with excellence, the things that were not would eventually fade in comparison. The most important thing was not to forget the calling to ‘cherish and care for the patient’s precious body as if it were my own.’
‘I’ll do well.’
Placing a vow to someone unknown upon his heart, Kyungwoo prepared for the first consultation of the opening day.
Rustle— rustle—
With the sound of pages turning as he returned to his beginner’s mind and flipped through the original texts of oriental medicine, the day began to brighten...
9:30 AM.
He could hear the clattering sounds from outside, likely the staff arriving for work. But... the noise that began to swell wasn’t just from one or two people...?
Beep—
A message came in from the desk.
The first day of opening.
An extraordinary event had begun!