Ham Ik-byeong: “You Must Pursue Money to Get Rich”

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong emphasized that to become wealthy, one must set clear goals. He stated that simply having a vague idea of 'wanting to be rich' won't make one wealthy; if one is determined to earn money, they must clearly see that money and pursue that goal. He advised setting specific goals like money, power, or success and acting accordingly.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong presented his unique criteria for wealth. He explained that being wealthy isn't about specific amounts like bank balances or house prices, but rather being able to eat what one wants at a restaurant without worrying about the cost. This implies that the ability to spend freely without being bound by money is the true mark of a wealthy person.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong revealed that from his early 30s to 45, for about 10 years, he worked every day without a single Sunday off. As a doctor, he dedicated himself to his work 365 days a year during this period, focusing on building assets. This high-intensity work demonstrates his will and effort to become wealthy.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong spoke about the choice between a salaried life and a goal-oriented life. He explained that a doctor's life is also a choice, and one can pursue their goals, but choosing a stable life might lead to remaining an ordinary salaried worker. He added that if one is determined to become an executive or CEO of a large corporation, significant sacrifice is required, demanding a resolution beyond simply going to work.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong stated that 'deficiency' is what maximizes a person's intellect and abilities. When there is poverty or some lack, and a goal is set, one works to resolve that deficiency. He cited his own experience of working intensively with a specific retirement goal between ages 45 and 50, emphasizing that deficiency can be a powerful motivator.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong revealed that in 1995, he pioneered a new market by introducing skin laser scaling, which was then unfamiliar in Korea. He quickly expanded his clinic by involving friends and junior/senior colleagues, making a bold investment by purchasing five expensive laser devices, each costing over 100 million won at the time. He explained that preempting new medical technology and aggressively investing played a major role in wealth creation.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong once again emphasized the importance of deficiency. He stated that if one is hungry, they will run towards their goal regardless of the risk of failure. He added that witnessing things firsthand creates a conviction of 'I can do it too,' suggesting that seeing and experiencing things firsthand is a strong motivator for achieving goals.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong diagnosed that employees cannot get rich on salary alone. Therefore, he advised preparing for entrepreneurship while working for a company. He stressed utilizing company work as a training course for starting a business, saving seed money through financial tech, and seeking expert help. He also suggested specific financial tech methods, such as using loans for real estate purchases.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong said that the optimal time for starting a business or changing jobs is at the manager or assistant manager level, rather than at the department head level. This is because companies tend to minimize management positions at or above department head, so the point at which one has developed enough skills to leave on their own is at the manager or assistant manager level. He stressed that it's difficult to start a business as a department head and advised that it's more advantageous to find a suitable organization or start a business. He also added that younger generations should recognize that while salaries are stable, they have a set upper limit, and entrepreneurship is needed to overcome that limit.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong emphasized that working hard to earn income and stably maintaining that income is also a skill. He stated that one should not deny market evaluations but accept them, viewing the market as fundamentally fair. Thus, his message was that one's efforts and abilities are connected to legitimate income, and consistently maintaining this is a skill in itself.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong explained that opportunities for success after age 40 depend on one's reputation in relationships with others. He mentioned an example of someone who showed consideration during a golf round and gained business opportunities, emphasizing the importance of reputation in unseen places. In other words, if one gains the trust of others and maintains a good reputation even in their 40s, they can create new opportunities for advancement. He added that forming such relationships is the foundation for long-term success.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong stated that people who seem to suddenly succeed in their 40s or 50s have actually laid the groundwork for success, such as human networks and assets, since their 30s. He explained that already prepared individuals achieve success through entrepreneurship or new challenges. Conversely, he gave realistic advice that if one is still contemplating what to do in their 40s, it is more economically beneficial to continue working for a company.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong explained the mechanism by which advances in medical technology expand the market. He stated that the cost of medical technology, initially high, gradually decreases, making it accessible to the entire population, which further expands the market. He also added that popular medical technologies or services increase demand for foreign medical tourism, contributing to market expansion. He explained that the market grows through such a naturally circulating virtuous cycle.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong pointed out that the main cause of summer skin troubles is late sleeping habits and the resulting lack of sleep. He explained that in summer, the sun rises early, so going to bed late shortens actual sleep time, which can worsen skin health. He stated that if one goes to bed at 10 PM, they can get 7 and a half hours of sleep even if the sun rises at 5:30 AM, but if they go to bed at 12 or 1 AM every night, they only get 4-5 hours of sleep, which is bad for their health. He emphasized that sufficient sleep is necessary for skin tone and vitality, and for healthy skin. In other words, he conveyed the message that lifestyle habits have a greater impact on the skin than simply sun exposure or external environment.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong emphasized that melasma is largely genetic and tends to recur with sun exposure, so management is more important than a complete cure. He advised that it is effective to start melasma treatment during periods of weaker UV radiation, such as September or October after summer vacation ends. He explained that applying medication or undergoing laser treatment at this time can improve melasma, maintaining a good condition through winter and the following spring. He added that whitening cream requires a doctor's prescription and should ideally be used only for 6-8 months of the year.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong pointed out that the idea that expensive skin procedures like Ultherapy and Rejuran are essential comes from a commercial perspective. He explained that it is impossible to fundamentally change one's innate skin type, and the effects of such procedures are only temporary. He emphasized that maintaining basic care according to one's skin type and living healthily is important, and that considering one's time and cost, the cost-effectiveness of procedures can be low.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong recommended taking an hour's walk in a dense forest instead of worrying about hospital procedures. He said that spending time in nature is far more effective for skin and body health than visiting a hospital due to the stresses of city life. He emphasized that simply walking in a place where the forest is so thick that the sky is not visible can improve things sufficiently, explaining that this is true self-care.

Dr. Ham Ik-byeong asserted that health cannot be perfectly bought with money. He cited Steve Jobs as an example, saying that if money could buy health, he would not have died so early. He also pointed out that the average lifespan of the top 10 richest chaebol chairmen in Korea tends to be lower than the national average. This suggests the negative impact of excessive work and chronic fatigue on health, conveying the message that wealth does not guarantee health.