The Inspiring Legacy of Dr. Sunwoo Kyung-sik: A Life Dedicated to the Marginalized

Singer Lee Chan-won was moved to tears by the benevolence of the late Dr. Sunwoo Kyung-sik.

On April 7th at 8:30 PM, KBS2's 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret' episode 51 will air, showcasing the life of Dr. Sunwoo Kyung-sik, a doctor who left behind a guaranteed life to dedicate himself to caring for the homeless and marginalized. The episode will delve into his movie-like life and the profound impact he left behind.

In 1997, in a narrow alley in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, there was a peculiar clinic where patients lined up even before it opened. At the entrance, unexpected breathalyzer tests were conducted, and the reception area displayed unusual notices like 'Welcoming those without resident registration' and 'Health insurance holders, please use another hospital.'

The man behind this clinic was Dr. Sunwoo Kyung-sik, who had trained at a university hospital in the United States. Unlike any other hospital, from the entrance to the consultation rooms, this place was filled with daily scuffles and arguments with patients. What exactly was happening at this hospital?

During his medical school days in Korea, Sunwoo was a student who would vomit at the mere smell of blood. Despite being told that being a doctor didn't suit his personality or aptitude, he returned as an internal medicine specialist after studying in the U.S. However, in the early 1980s, when even basic medical insurance was unavailable, he was disheartened by patients who couldn't afford surgery. His sole creed became, 'I will not be a doctor for a living.'

Despite warnings that he wouldn't last three months, Sunwoo established a free clinic for the poor. His prescriptions were unique from the start. Lee Chan-won shared, 'Dr. Sunwoo's prescriptions included winter jackets, eggs, and even pocket money,' which stirred the studio. Oh My Girl's Hyojung expressed amazement, wondering if he ran the hospital as a hobby, while announcer Um Ji-in speculated if Dr. Sunwoo was part of a wealthy family upon seeing personal photos with Samsung's Lee Jae-yong.

Dr. Ko Young-cho of Joseph Clinic recalled, 'Dr. Sunwoo loved seeing patients eat to their heart's content.' The story of how he decided to volunteer after being captivated by Dr. Sunwoo's cheerful demeanor while dining amidst the hospital's foul odor was also shared.

Many of the patients at Joseph Clinic were alcohol-dependent individuals living on the streets. For those who were hospitalized and discharged over 60 times, Dr. Sunwoo offered more than just simple prescriptions. He persistently asked, 'What did you do in the past?' and 'What are you best at?' in the consultation room. His desire to restore dignity by uncovering each patient's hidden talents translated into action. Lee Chan-won, upon hearing this story, was moved to tears, and announcer Um Ji-in remarked, 'He truly gave them a second chance at life.'

Dr. Sunwoo treated approximately 430,000 patients in his lifetime. When he passed away on April 18, 2008, at the age of 63, after battling stomach cancer, it was the patients he had saved who bid him farewell. The cast, including Lee Chan-won, was left speechless and visibly moved by this story.

Catch this inspiring story on KBS2's 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret' on April 7th at 8:30 PM.

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, Ten Asia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr