Chapter 77
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Lion's Roar Treatment
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Even though we hit it off right away, Kim Chunsik and I were meeting for the first time today.
I still had no idea if I could actually help him. For now, I decided to hear his story first.
"It's almost been a full year since I opened my clinic, but the red ink months outnumber the black ones. Ha, really... Staying cooped up at the university made me a real frog in a well."
"So that's why you're considering a network franchise?"
"Mm. While I was racking my brain, my former student and advisor Professor Jo Hoyeong suggested joining Haneul Clinic's network. It started to seem like a good idea. But..."
"Haneul Clinic doesn't quite appeal to you."
"Mm, it felt like there'd be too many hurdles for someone like me."
He hadn't outright badmouthed them in front of all these other Korean medicine doctors, but I could guess what he meant.
As a doctor, he probably didn't like the lack of respect for his clinical judgment and autonomy—not to mention their heavy focus on aesthetic treatments.
He seemed like the old-school type who prescribed in the traditional way.
"I looked into networks specializing in digestive issues or rhinitis, but... hm... Being in Songpa, they turned me down saying there were already too many branches nearby. The younger ones expanding now were wary of my age, too."
"I see."
I nodded.
Networks varied widely—some just shared marketing, others added academic exchanges, and some micromanaged everything from a central system.
But facing business woes, he wanted help fixing the system without control over his prescriptions.
"You're confident in your treatments and want autonomy guaranteed, right?"
"Exactly. Some sales support would be great."
His needs were crystal clear.
I could adjust my flexible system to fit, at least somewhat.
Just as Professor Lee Minseok had said, this could turn into a solid deal.
'So why isn't it working? There's definite demand for a kindly old grandfather doctor.'
I hesitated before jumping at the offer.
Traditional methods might not mesh with a downtown spot. If so, he'd need consulting on upscale interiors and modern terminology in consultations.
But what if his skills weren't as good as he thought?
"Would it be okay if I observe at your clinic this Tuesday? I can check for issues and see what I can help with. If it looks feasible, we can proceed."
If I couldn't fix that, there was nothing I could do.
Choo Miyeong had the will to learn, but stubbornness without skill wouldn't follow orders.
"Oh, that would be a huge help!"
Free consulting was nothing to turn down from his side. He agreed readily.
'I hope it's just a bit of sales skill he's lacking... We'll see.'
After the afterparty wrapped up and I spent the evening with friends, I headed back to Busan.
I had clinic duties on Monday.
Then Tuesday morning, I caught the first flight back to Seoul.
Destination: Kim Chunsik's clinic, of course.
It was right by the station and a massive apartment complex—prime location. The interior screamed money spent; even the sign was eye-catching.
'Is it really just a marketing issue?'
He seemed to handle basic blog management outsourced to an agency. Was that not enough? If so, I wasn't exactly an expert.
I finished prepping while scoping the area.
"You can watch from over there. Make yourself comfortable."
"Yes, Director."
Like Choo Miyeong and Hwang Sanghun before me, I observed politely from the corner of the exam room.
And I quickly pinpointed the business slump's cause.
"Gal!!!!!"
Kim Chunsik's bellow shook the clinic.
...I nearly blacked out.
The first patient seemed fine at first.
"How was your weekend? Nothing too strenuous, I hope?"
My thought: Even at his age, maybe tone down the casual speech a bit.
"Haha, I wanted to skip golf, but the director insisted on rounds twice, so I had no choice..."
But soon I realized a sixty-something doctor using informal speech was the least of it.
As the patient made excuses, a lion's roar erupted.
"Hey! Cut the excuses! Are you trying to get better or not? I warned you it'd be a big strain! How does someone with elbow pain go golfing?!"
"...I'm sorry."
It was the most intense presence I'd seen since returning to Korea.
I half-expected it was a Safa thug storming Haeggeomji Pool with a sword!
Haeggeomji was a small pond at the Wudang Sect's mountain gate; to enter, you had to disarm out of respect for their founder, Zhang Sanfeng.
Kim Chunsik's aura was just like an elder roaring over a holy site desecrated.
Professor Lee Minseok and Park Younggil had charisma, but compared to this? Nothing.
Worlds apart—like elder versus grand-disciple.
'Whoa...'
Dizzy, I clutched my neck.
What's the opposite of "kindly consultation"?
The answer: "roaring consultation."
Exactly as it sounds—berating patients during treatment.
It covered yelling therapeutically at non-compliant patients, like Kim just did, or just nasty temper tantrums.
Truth be told, murim had tons of such clinics.
...Confession time: I did it too.
But it couldn't be helped. Murim folk treated doctors' words like dog food, so sometimes roars—or even violence—were needed.
It worked there.
Why? Because I was the Divine Physician Han Yeowon. Hate it? Go elsewhere!
Even without the title, no problem. One doctor per village—what're you gonna do? One per tens of thousands, probably.
But that's murim world stuff.
Kim's clinic was in a downtown office district, with two other Korean medicine clinics next door.
In modern Korea, kind consultations are baseline.
No need to say roaring ones tank business hard!
'In Korea, it might've flown decades ago.'
Some couldn't ditch habits from when doctors were top dogs. Professors especially—their pay didn't tie to revenue.
In underserved rural spots without competition, it lingers... but Songpa?
No way it'd thrive, skills or not.
'Such a kindly face... Polite to Professor Lee Minseok and me...'
Unbelievable.
He roared at the first elbow patient and everyone ignoring advice.
"Healing seems a bit slow."
"I told you from the start to do injections!!!!"
Injections are great. But if pricey and they refuse, you needle more! What else?
That patient won't return tomorrow. Even I'd pick the neighbor saying, "Aw, must hurt, huh?"
Observing fully, his skills were flawless.
Diagnosis spot-on, needles precise.
The one herbal patient today followed orders, so consult smooth; prescription matched my thinking.
"Heh heh, what'd you think? Location seems solid. Paid 200 million in key money; previous director saw at least 30 patients daily. Advertising issue? Or diversify non-covered services? Revisit rate's low 'cause cures are fast—raise prices?"
Observation over, he asked my take.
He thought patients ghosted because they healed?
"Professor, it's not about pricing."
No shame on his face. Not anger issues.
He genuinely didn't know.
"How can you yell at patients? They're not students!"
I spoke the truth.
"Yelling's the problem?"
First-time feedback face.
"Yes! You scared the first one half to death!"
"The elbow case? But golfing nonstop—treat all you want, won't heal."
I get it.
Once smacked a hamstring-tear patient dancing in bed.
"It's all for the patient's sake..."
But delivery matters as much as intent.
"Gal!!!!! You can say it politely anytime. Excuses!"
I infused inner power into a lion's roar.
Kugugugung.
Kim Chunsik staggered, feeling the earth quake—an illusion, but effective.
Oh, nailed it. Almost Martial Alliance Leader vibes.
"Feel good when I yell? Will that patient quit golf or switch clinics?"
"Uh, switch cli..."
"Exactly. Or ortho. Even mindless PT beats paying to get chewed out."
Of course, this style works sometimes.
Hit online lecturers, paid self-help YouTubers.
Or my shock therapy consulting now.
But not what elbow patients expect.
"Fix this or no network saves you. Advertise forever—they'll try once and bail. One bad review and it's over. Unless you're scamming with sky-high prices and scams, quit now."
"..."
Deep in thought, he went quiet.
"This way, you couldn't hack being an employee, let alone solo. Ten daily patients only 'cause location's gold. Change style or wrap up quick and hunt night shifts."
I went hard on purpose.
His skills deserved real change—for him and his patients.
Straight talk beat sweet-talking for him.
"Ah, ahh..."
Something clicked; he mumbled nonstop.
"You're... right. I..."
But not fully processed yet.
"Hard to ditch decades overnight. Decide and call. I'll help full throttle."
I gave him time.
Change potential: there.
Not a bad guy. If just venting, he'd hide it from me.
He roared because he believed it necessary. Realize otherwise? He'll fix it.
Asking a kid like me for help showed openness.
The warm observation ended solemnly.
I flew to Busan evening for next day's clinic.
Three days later.
Kim Chunsik called—faster than expected.
- What approach gets patients committed to treatment?
Loaded with reflection.
"Your genuine desire to heal them has to shine through."
- Not sure how to show it. Mind if I observe your clinic?
Hands-on.
Observation's easy. Did it for Choo and Hwang.
But spilling trade secrets to a stranger? Nah.
"Sign the franchise, and A-to-Z intel's yours."
I pulled the "talk is cheap?" card.
- Obviously. I'll do whatever. Let's make it work together.
"Sending prelim contract—review, then weekend visit. I'll have our deputy observe too. We'll tweak your style step-by-step."
- Deal.
He sounded fully resolved.
Determination carried over the line.