Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 1

Fifth Vital Sign – Episode 1 (1/502)

Episode 1. Kim Tae-kyung, the Unfortunate Genius Doctor

Director’s office, Shinhwa University Hospital.

“Yes, yes, Chairman. Of course.”

Knock, knock-

The hospital director, who was bowing his head while talking on the phone, gestured for the head of surgery, who entered after knocking, to sit down.

“I actually met with the Chairman of the Board yesterday. If such a talent were to come to our hospital, we would be grateful. Of course. Don’t worry.”

Hanging up the phone, the director gave an awkward smile and sat across from the head of surgery.

“Professor Lee, welcome. I called you in, but the call ran long.”

“It’s alright. But the reason you asked to see me, is there something else you wanted to discuss…?”

“Ah, yes, about the professor appointment.”

“I submitted the documents yesterday.”

“I saw them too. This candidate, right?”

The director picked up the documents on his desk and handed them over.

“Doctor Kim Tae-kyung.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I hear this candidate is quite well-known in our hospital.”

“He’s unnecessarily meddlesome with patients, but his skills are excellent.”

“I’ve heard a lot about his great skills. And his reputation among patients is very good.”

“His reputation with patients is good, yes.”

“But why is such a talent repeatedly passed over for professor appointments and still a fellow [a doctor who has completed residency and is receiving advanced training] after several years?”

At the director’s sudden question, Professor Lee’s voice trailed off.

“Well, that’s…”

“Anyway, professor appointments are under the authority of the department heads, so there’s no need to feel sorry. By the way, the reason I asked to see you today is because of our surgery department’s performance report.”

Doctors are generally known to be dedicated to the noble cause of saving patients’ lives without any ulterior motives. But the director of Shinhwa University Hospital was not like that at all.

To him, patients were a source of money, and his sole goal was the hospital’s profit. This was the reality of major university hospitals.

“As you know, the first-half results came out this morning.”

The director’s snake-like eyes formed an unpleasant smile, but Professor Lee did not tense up.

The surgery department’s performance in the first half was good.

“The surgery department’s performance is good. The number of surgeries has increased by 35% compared to last year. Professor, you’ve worked hard.”

“It’s nothing. It’s the result of the doctors’ joint efforts.”

“But, Professor?”

“Yes, Director.”

“This is a bit troubling… about Doctor Kim Tae-kyung.”

“Yes?”

“This candidate’s surgery performance last year, let alone the first half of this year, is the lowest in our hospital.”

Thump-

The director threw Tae-kyung’s surgery performance report, marked with a red circle, in front of Professor Lee as if to show it off.

“If you have eyes, take a look.”

Tae-kyung had performed the most surgeries, but the ironic result was that his performance was the worst.

“How is it that he hasn’t performed a single robotic surgery?”

That’s right. The performance the director was talking about was the expensive robotic surgeries.

“Professor Lee, are you really going to recommend this Kim Tae-kyung for a professor position?”

“Doctor Kim has been a fellow for quite a while and has taken care of all the surgery department’s grunt work.”

Professor Lee answered the director’s question with a complicated expression.

“He’s had some bad luck, but if you look at his skills alone, he should have become a professor long ago.”

Professor Lee was arguably the main reason behind Tae-kyung’s extended fellow status, but he still had a conscience. He defended Tae-kyung, who was undeniably skilled.

“It’s not just luck; it’s because he doesn’t have the academic connections, influential contacts, or doctor parents that would pave the way for him to become a professor. That’s why he’s been pushed back until now.”

“……”

Professor Lee was silent, stung by the accurate assessment.

“Am I wrong?”

“I’m sorry, Director.”

“So, I’m going to give you a chance to make up for your sorry feelings. Get rid of Kim Tae-kyung.”

“Yes? No, Director, what are you talking about…?”

It was difficult to understand the director’s words to kick him out without any legitimate reason.

“Suddenly kick him out?”

“The son of the chairman of the board’s friend wants to become a professor in our hospital’s surgery department.”

However, the moment the words ‘Chairman of the Board’ were uttered, he had no choice but to understand.

“That friend will support the surgery equipment and Professor Lee’s personal research expenses for three years, separately from the hospital development fund.”

“My personal research expenses?”

“Of course. The amount will probably be substantial.”

When the specific talk of money came up, Professor Lee smacked his lips, just like the director, and pondered.

He was wondering how to secure personal research funds anyway, so he thought it was a good opportunity.

“Professor Lee, our hospital doesn’t need skilled doctors. We can easily create popular doctors who make money through media exposure. You know that.”

That was right. With the power of the media, it was easy to create star doctors who generated revenue.

“We need money, not skills. How can we possibly keep Kim Tae-kyung in the hospital after this?”

“Of course not. Who is Kim Tae-kyung, anyway?”

It was an answer without a second’s hesitation. Professor Lee’s feelings of guilt toward Tae-kyung vanished in an instant.

* * *

Resident on-call room.

Click-

“Wow! Awesome.”

A resident made a fuss and burst open the door to the on-call room.

“Big news! Do you know what I’ve been doing?”

“Hey, turn off the light.”

A colleague who was exhausted and asleep reacted sensitively.

“Now is not the time to be sleeping.”

“Crazy bastard. I came in exactly 10 minutes ago after working for 20 hours.”

“I know. But I brought you some great news.”

“Oh, get lost! There’s nothing more important than sleep right now. So turn off the light and…”

“Doctor Kim Tae-kyung is getting kicked out.”

“What!?”

The colleague, who had been reacting sharply, was surprised by the news of Tae-kyung and raised his upper body.

“Doctor Kim’s professor appointment is supposed to be happening today or tomorrow. It’s for real this time, right?”

“*Was* real.”

“What are you saying? Explain it so I can understand.”

“The thing is, the chairman of the board’s friend is a congressman, and his son is coming to take the position.”

“Wow! Crazy, there’s no way to win against that. How can you beat the chairman of the board’s friend and the congressman’s son?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“What’s the point of being called a genius and having a triple board certification [certification in three different medical specialties]?”

“He spent his precious time as a fellow and was used like a slave, but in the end, he was dumped because he had no money or connections.”

“But honestly, I think Doctor Kim has a problem too.”

The resident, who had been feeling sorry along with his colleague, suddenly blamed Tae-kyung.

“Doctor Kim has a problem?”

“I mean, come on. Why is he still sticking around?”

“Of course, he stayed at the hospital to become a professor.”

“Is it easy for kids from poor families with no connections to become medical school professors? If it were me, I would have already gone out and started a private practice and made a lot of money with that skill.”

“He’s a good person. If he wasn’t, would he even spend his own money to help patients?”

Tae-kyung was in a difficult financial situation for various reasons. But even in the midst of that, he had paid for the hospital bills of patients who couldn’t afford them several times.

He was praised among the patients, but as time went on, he also heard quite a few people in the hospital say that he was making a fuss.

“Is he a charity worker? I heard his family is also having a hard time… he’s just damn foolish.”

“Hey, watch your mouth.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’m frustrated because Doctor Kim is getting screwed over. Anyway, the higher-ups are always the problem.”

“Watch your mouth. What if someone hears you?”

“Who’s going to hear me? It’s just you and me.”

Rrrrrrrrrrr

Suddenly, a cell phone rang between the two people who were talking excitedly.

“Hey, I think you got a call.”

“Huh? It’s not my phone?”

“Wait, I’ll answer it.”

Suddenly, a man’s voice was heard between the two people who took out their cell phones to check.

“Now, surgery? Have you tried calling another doctor?”

The two people’s eyes turned to the bunk bed in the corner where the voice was coming from.

“A VIP patient needs surgery, so they’re trying to get me to do it… is that so?”

A man with a haggard face got up, pushing aside the blanket that covered his head. The man’s identity was Tae-kyung, who had been the subject of the residents’ conversation.

“Then I should do it since I don’t need to impress anyone. Yes, I’ll go now.”

The two people who saw Tae-kyung getting up in the resident on-call room froze like icicles in the middle of winter.

“D, Doctor… I’m sorry!”

“I’m sorry. We were out of line.”

The two bowed their heads and apologized to Tae-kyung, who passed by them without saying a word.

“What are you sorry for? It’s all true. I’m the one who’s foolish, so don’t be like me. Don’t end up like me.”

Click-

“Damn it.”

A low curse was heard along with the sound of the door closing. It was the first curse that came out in a place other than the operating room.

It wasn’t a curse directed at the juniors who spoke behind his back. He was frustrated by the fact that he had to leave the hospital, where he had worked like a dog, as if he was being kicked out. Along with the frustration, the words that the juniors had said a little while ago came to mind.

‘Is it easy for kids from poor families with no connections to become medical school professors?’

I know. All I had to offer was my skill. But you can’t become a professor at a major university hospital with just skill. That’s why I became a dog to the hospital and professors and desperately tried to prove my loyalty.

I did cigarette runs that I used to do when I was an intern, and I even acted as a chauffeur, taking them home when they were drunk.

‘If it were me, I would have already gone out and started a private practice and made a lot of money with that skill.’

Start a private practice. That’s a luxury.

It was impossible for Tae-kyung, who was a credit delinquent and had a lot of debt to pay off.

“The chairman of the board’s friend and the congressman’s son… they’re completely invincible.”

Tae-kyung muttered the words as if he was giving up.

In fact, a few minutes ago, Tae-kyung received a message from Professor Lee, the head of the department. It was a long message, but the conclusion was one.

-I’m sorry, Doctor Kim. I tried my best, but I can’t help it because it’s the chairman of the board’s will. You’ll have to leave the hospital. Thank you for your hard work.

The most important thing to become a professor at a major university hospital was not outstanding skills or an excellent personality.

It was connections, family ties, and money. That was why Tae-kyung, who was once called a genius, remained a fellow indefinitely.

“Ha!”

A heavy footstep that cut through the heavy sigh headed to the operating room.