Kim Hyung-ho arrived in China from the Republic of Korea on Aug 24,1992, which happened to be the same day that the two countries officially established diplomatic relations. Kim, just 19 at the time, came to China to study traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a medical system with thousands of years of history and which enjoys popularity in many countries. 

Kim's passion for TCM took root in his teenage years after he had a twisted ankle treated with acupuncture. "It's incredible that a little needle can have such magical powers. That experience inspired me to learn authentic TCM in the place from which it originated, " recalls Kim.

In 2013, he was hired as a TCM specialist by the international clinic of Qingdao Municipal Hospital. "Doctor Kim is a professional, hardworking and nice, " says Sun Jie, director of the clinic. "He also helps bridge the communication gap between our staff and Korean patients. " For those who have difficulty moving around, Kim will go to the patient's home to offer treatment.

Apart from his daily work, Kim has also volunteered to provide free medical consultations in the countryside. He found that many rural people have been suffering from long time diseases such as high blood pressure, but are not aware of their conditions, let alone attend regular checkups. As a result, Kim led fellow volunteers to collect lists of people from different villages. The lists were handed to local authorities to keep track of the patients' treatment. Kim also provided guidance for village doctors, which helped improve the standard of treatment in the area.

Three decades have passed since Kim set foot in China, and he's very grateful for what he has gained in the country. "Medicine does not have boundaries. As a TCM doctor, I will continue to communicate with doctors in Korea and other countries to help it spread and flourish even further, so that more people can understand its excellence, " says Kim.