Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 190

Fifth Vital Sign – Episode 190 (190/502)

190. Nationwide Tag

“Go Don-jin!?”

“Who is that?”

As Euijin finished speaking, looking clueless, Lee Dong-hoon’s eyes widened, and he jumped up to answer.

“The chairman of Shinhwa University Hospital.”

“The chairman?”

“Yeah. If we want to prevent something like this from happening again, we need someone above Go Gye-deuk, and the chairman is the only one.”

In a large hospital like Shinhwa University Hospital, the most powerful and only person who could easily influence the director was the chairman.

In the hospital, the chairman’s power was absolute, regardless of rank, age, or connections. He was someone who could overturn everything with a single word and do as he pleased.

“I guess the chairman does have absolute power in the hospital.”

“I don’t mean to be a downer, but you seem to be mistaken about something.”

Lee Dong-hoon, who had been more enthusiastic than anyone, continued with a serious expression.

“It was Go Don-jin who appointed Go Gye-deuk as the hospital director, and it was Go Don-jin who ultimately approved his reappointment. Go Gye-deuk has the chairman’s trust.”

Everything Lee Dong-hoon said was true.

It’s similar in any workplace, but companies don’t care much if someone is bad-mannered as long as they do their job well. The reason is simple: they do their job well.

If you had to choose between someone who is bad at their job but kind and someone who is rude but good at their job, most people would choose the latter.

That’s how much of a plus it is to be competent in an organization, and it means you have many opportunities to be recognized and move forward.

The same goes for hospitals.

It didn’t matter if a doctor was rude as long as they were skilled and good at treating patients. Even if they had ethical issues, the hospital wouldn’t interfere as long as they were skilled and made money.

Go Gye-deuk was like that. His personality was terrible, but he was sharp in managing the hospital as director.

Unlike regular companies, it’s not easy for a large hospital to make a profit. However, Go Gye-deuk cared more about the hospital’s profits than the patients, and that pleased the chairman, who controlled the hospital’s finances.

The chairman also knew what kind of person Go Gye-deuk was. Go Don-jin, who knew this and still approved his reappointment as director, was arguably of a similar ilk [similar type or nature].

Therefore, even if he knew what Go Gye-deuk had done, it was questionable whether he would take action.

Lee Dong-hoon was worried about this and spoke up.

“I don’t know if it’s true, but there was talk that the chairman favors him even more because they’re distant relatives with the same last name. Tae-kyung, you know this too. Go Don-jin is the same kind of guy. And the chairman is in the United States right now.”

Lee Dong-hoon raised his voice in frustration.

“How many of the top dogs at big hospitals really care about the patients? Huh? They’re all just after money! Money!”

“If I summarize what Dr. Lee Dong-hoon has said, it means that even if the chairman knows about this, it won’t matter. And he’s not even in Korea right now.”

“That’s why we need to make it matter, so that the chairman in the United States can find out about this.”

“Stop stalling and tell me quickly. I’m dying of curiosity.”

“This is how we can get Go Gye-deuk removed from the director’s position, which he values so much.”

Tae-kyung took out a business card from his gown and handed it to the two of them.

-SBC Entertainment Bureau PD [Production Director] Park Pil-seung

“Broadcasting?”

“Sunbae [senior colleague/mentor], are you going to appear on that entertainment program?”

Tae-kyung thought about how to protect Lee Soo-jung and the patient while also giving Go Gye-deuk a lesson, and he concluded that appearing on TV was the answer.

No matter how powerful the chairman was, he wouldn’t be able to embrace a troublesome figure who had become a social issue.

“But Tae-kyung, are you going to be okay?”

Lee Dong-hoon suddenly said with a serious face.

“When the broadcast airs, people will think of you as a conscientious doctor, but on the other hand, some doctors might not like it.”

“I agree with Dr. Lee Dong-hoon. There might be internal backlash.”

Tae-kyung had already thought about it.

Some people would say, ‘Why is he going on TV and acting righteous when we could just turn a blind eye to each other?’ But it didn’t matter.

He wasn’t afraid of maggots preventing him from making soy sauce [an idiom meaning he wouldn’t let minor annoyances stop him], and he had already experienced such exclusive views enough to not be afraid at all.

“Aren’t you two worrying too much? I was an outsider at Shinhwa University Hospital anyway. It’s okay.”

“Yeah, what’s the big deal about being a doctor? We just need to think about the patients. And Tae-kyung, you’re not an outsider.”

“That’s right. In our hospital, you’re the leader at the center of everything, no matter what anyone says.”

The two understood Tae-kyung’s intentions and decided to help him.

“Wow! This broadcast is about our Director Kim, but I’m as excited as if I were appearing on it myself.”

“Me too. But Sunbae, what are you going to say on the broadcast?”

“I’m going to make Go Gye-deuk the tagger.”

“The tagger?”

Tae-kyung gave Euijin a meaningful smile and first called Lee Soo-jung to tell her about how things would proceed.

* * *

Clang-

“Writer Wang?”

As Park Pil-seung opened the car door and entered, Writer Wang asked with a worried expression.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“No, I feel like I’m going to die. Is there something wrong with me?”

Park Pil-seung, whose face had become gaunt in a day, was constantly going in and out of the bathroom, emptying his bowels.

“Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with you.”

“No. I think they gave me the wrong medicine. There’s no way I could go to the bathroom this much otherwise. Now, as soon as my butt touches the toilet, water comes out.”

“That’s what the medicine is supposed to do. PD-nim, is this your first colonoscopy?”

“Yeah. It’s my first time. My family has been singing for me to get it, but I haven’t been. I didn’t know it would be this hard.”

“That’s why I told you not to do it. I already told Dr. Kim Tae-kyung everything, but why did you insist on getting a colonoscopy and make yourself suffer?”

“Then what should I do!”

The reason why Park Pil-seung, following Writer Wang, had to get a colonoscopy was also because of the issue of casting Tae-kyung.

It seemed that the only time they could have a conversation with Tae-kyung, who was busy seeing patients and practically living at the hospital, was when they had to get a test.

“Writer Wang did it too. I told her to do it, so I couldn’t back out. And I have to show this much sincerity to move the doctor’s heart.”

“What time is your test, PD-nim?”

“I don’t know. I think I have some time left.”

“You’re going to have a colonoscopy late at night. You’re going through a lot.”

“I came out of the meeting at the broadcasting station earlier, and the youngest one was subtly suggesting that we mention the prize money.”

“Who? To Dr. Kim?”

“Yes.”

“Hey. No way. He even turned down an advertisement offer from a probiotic company. He’s not someone who can be moved by money.”

“I said the same thing. The youngest one is new, so he doesn’t know.”

“But how much prize money have we accumulated?”

“After taxes, it’ll be about 50 million won [approximately $40,000 USD].”

“That’s a lot.”

“It’s been piling up because no one has answered the last question for two years. Don’t you think the prize money winner will appear this time?”

“Who? Dr. Kim Tae-kyung?”

“Yes, if he appears, I think there’s a good chance. He graduated from medical school, the end-game of science, and got three licenses, so he’s unparalleled in terms of brains.”

“Hey, have only smart people appeared on our show for a day or two? You need luck too.”

“I guess so. By the way, PD-nim, isn’t it almost time for your test?”

“I should go in soon. But Writer Wang, aren’t you going home? Are you worried about me?”

“Are you drunk from the colonoscopy medicine? I stayed behind to persuade you together after your test.”

“Sorry. I’m not in my right mind right now. Give me my phone over there.”

Park Pil-seung was preparing to enter the hospital as his test time approached.

“Why are you taking your phone with you when you’re going to get a test?”

“I have to answer the director’s call. He’ll get angry again if I don’t.”

“……!”

“Writer Wang? What are you doing? Give me the phone.”

“P, PD-nim? You have a call?”

“Who? The director? He can’t help being a noble [acting important]. He’s probably calling to nag about the casting.”

“No. It’s Dr. Kim Tae-kyung calling.”

“What!?”

Writer Wang held the phone screen in front of Park Pil-seung’s eyes.

“Give it to me quickly. Hello?”

Park Pil-seung answered hastily, afraid that the call would be disconnected.

“Yes, Doctor. Yes? No. I’m in the hospital parking lot. Of course. Yes, yes. I understand.”

“Why? What does he say?”

“He’s asking if we can talk for a moment?”

“What are you doing? Go in quickly.”

The two ran straight into Tae-kyung’s office.

Clang-

“Welcome. Please sit here, you two.”

Park Pil-seung and Writer Wang sat down on the chairs, looking at Tae-kyung, who greeted them warmly.

“PD-nim, you have a test soon, right?”

“Yes, Doctor. It’s my first colonoscopy, and I almost crossed the Jordan River [a metaphor for nearly dying] while taking the medicine. This is no ordinary task.”

“You’ve worked hard. I’ll take good care of you during the test later.”

“Thank you. But Doctor. Why did you suddenly ask to see us…? Writer Wang and I came all the way here from the parking lot with excited hearts.”

“Have you decided to appear on the broadcast?”

“Yes, I will appear.”

“Yes?”

“Really?”

The two stood up simultaneously and looked surprised at Tae-kyung’s answer, who had clearly stated his intention to appear.

“R, really?”

“Writer Wang, sit down first. Huh? Let’s sit down. You’re not kidding, are you?”

“Of course not. I’m not kidding.”

“Thank you so much.”

“You saved our lives, Doctor.”

The two were at a loss for what to do and rejoiced.

“But why did you suddenly change your mind…?”

They were curious as to why Tae-kyung, who was like an iron fortress, had suddenly decided to appear.

“It’s because of a patient. To be honest, I decided to appear in order to help that patient, and to do that, I need the help of our PD-nim and writer.”

“We’re people who work in broadcasting, so I don’t understand how Writer Wang and I can help a patient?”

“Can you tell us more details?”

“A hit-and-run accident happened a few months ago.”

Tae-kyung, who had already finished talking to Lee Soo-jung, told Park Pil-seung and Writer Wang about the hit-and-run incident and about Go Gye-deuk.

Of course, he didn’t directly mention Go Gye-deuk’s name or mention Shinhwa University Hospital. It wasn’t because he didn’t trust the two of them.

He was worried that if he revealed everything from the beginning, Lee Soo-jung and Cha Dae-han’s family’s personal information would be revealed and cause uncomfortable things to happen. And if that happened, people’s attention would likely be directed to the family rather than Go Gye-deuk.

Tae-kyung was planning to indirectly introduce Go Gye-deuk’s work through the broadcast, and as a result, he planned to make Go Gye-deuk a tagger chased by the entire nation.

The netizens [internet citizens] of Korea are people who are skilled at finding the figures in issues that become issues, to the point where there is a joke comparing them to investigative teams.

Therefore, even if he didn’t mention Go Gye-deuk’s name, it was only a matter of time before the protagonist of the incident was revealed once the broadcast aired.

Go Gye-deuk, who is playing tag with the entire nation, will probably have a terrible time as time goes on.

“It’s bitter to target sick people and their guardians.”

“There are always terrible people wherever you go. Don’t worry, Doctor. Writer Wang, me, and our production team will set the stage properly.”

“Thank you.”

“Writer Wang, are we working overtime starting today?”

“Of course. This kind of overtime is always welcome.”

After that, Park Pil-seung, who had successfully completed the colonoscopy, stayed at the hospital with Writer Wang until dawn, putting their heads together with Tae-kyung for the broadcast.

That’s how the three people’s collaboration began.