In the US, going to the doctor is a luxury event. You book it weeks in advance, wait for hours, and then pay $200 just to say “Hello.” In Korea, going to the doctor is like going to a convenience store. It is fast, efficient, and shockingly cheap.
But there is a catch. Korean doctors are obsessed with speed. And they love giving you pills. Lots of pills.
If you go in for a sniffle and come out with a bag full of colorful drugs, don’t panic. You aren’t dying. You are just experiencing the “Ppali-Ppali” (Hurry-Hurry) medical culture.
Welcome to Level 1. Let me tell you about the time I thought I had a terminal illness because of a runny nose.
The Level 1 Logs: The Pill Explosion
Flashback: 2 years ago. Local ENT Clinic.
I had a mild sore throat. Just a little scratchy. I walked into an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) Clinic. No appointment. I waited 5 minutes. The doctor called me in. He looked at my throat for 3 seconds, sprayed something minty, and typed on his computer at lightning speed. “Okay, done. Go to the pharmacy.”
Total time with doctor: 2 minutes. Total cost: 5,000 KRW ($4).
I went to the pharmacy downstairs. They gave me a paper bag with 3 days of medicine. I opened one packet. There were 7 pills inside. Seven pills? For a sore throat? Is it cancer? Is it a super-virus? I was too scared to swallow them.
Enter “Ssam” (The Health Advisor)
I called Ssam in a panic. “Ssam, the doctor gave me 21 pills for 3 days! I think I’m really sick.”
Ssam laughed. “Alice, relax. That’s just a standard set.”
He explained the Korean Prescription Style: “Korean patients want instant results. So doctors prescribe a cocktail: one for the throat, one for the nose, one for digestion (to protect the stomach from the other pills), and one for inflammation. It’s an all-in-one attack.”
Level 3 Wisdom: How to Use the System
Don’t be scared of the speed or the pills. Embrace the efficiency.
1. No Appointment Needed (Usually)
For general sickness (cold, stomach ache, eye infection), you don’t need to book. Just find a clinic nearby.
- Naekwa (내과): Internal Medicine (Stomach, general cold).
- Ibi-inhuka (이비인후과): ENT (Throat, nose, ears). This is the best place for colds.
- Ankwa (안과): Eye doctor.
2. The “3-Minute” Culture
Do not expect a 20-minute chat about your lifestyle. Korean doctors see 50+ patients a day. They diagnose fast and prescribe fast. Tip: Have your symptoms translated in Papago before you enter. Show the screen. It saves time.
3. National Health Insurance (NHI)
If you are a registered foreigner (ARC holder), you have insurance. This is why your bill is $4 instead of $100. Always bring your ARC card. Without it, you pay full price (which is still cheaper than the US, honestly).
Alice’s Bottom Line: Take the Pills (Mostly)
The pills are usually mild. The one for “digestion” is basically herbal. You don’t have to take them all if you feel better, but trust the system. You will be cured in 2 days.
And seriously, enjoy the $4 bill. That is the real magic.
Survival Hangul: At the Hospital
- “목이 아파요. (Mog-i a-pa-yo.)”
- Meaning: “My throat hurts.”
- “콧물이 나요. (Kot-mul-i na-yo.)”
- Meaning: “I have a runny nose.”
- “영어 되나요? (Yeong-eo doe-na-yo?)”
- Meaning: “Do you speak English?” (Many doctors speak great English).
Read This Next (Before You Make Another Mistake)
Got your medicine? Now rest up and plan your next move.