50-year timeline
From a small clinic in Busan to 160,000+ users worldwide. The key milestones along the way.
- 1947
Born in Busan, Korea
Father ran the Pyunkang clinic; Dr. Seo was exposed to traditional Korean herbal compounding and clinical practice from childhood.
- 1966Education
Kyung Hee University · top-ranked admission
Top-ranked nationally for admission to Kyung Hee University's College of Korean Medicine — the highest-ranked Korean medicine college in the country at the time.
- 1972Milestone
Pyunkang-Hwan formula finalised
Returned to Busan to take over his father's clinic and finalised the 20+ herb composition of Pyunkang-Hwan. Unchanged for 50 years.
- 1998Milestone
Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital founded
Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital opened in Korea; Dr. Seo systematically organised his prior lung-clearing clinical experience. Over time the hospital grew to six branches in Korea (Seoul Seocho main branch, Myeongdong, Sanbon, Ansan, Daegu, Busan).
- 2010Media
Korean KBS / MBC / SBS coverage
Korea's three major public broadcasters covered Dr. Seo's lung-clearing clinical perspective.
- 2011Award
Chosun Ilbo · Quality Satisfaction Award (start of 15-year streak)
Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital received the Chosun Ilbo annual “Quality Satisfaction Award” in the Korean Medicine Hospital category for the first time. The hospital then won this award for 15 consecutive years through 2025 — the sole 15-year streak for this award in Korea.
- 2014Milestone
Global Service Center established in New York
The Pyunkang-Hwan Global Service Center was established in New York as the sole overseas partner of Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital, serving North America and the global Chinese-speaking community.
- 2015Award
Ministry of Health & Welfare Award + Medical Asia
Received the Medical Asia Minister of Health & Welfare Award; that same year, was invited by alma mater Kyung Hee University to lecture postgraduate Korean medicine students on lungs and respiration.
- 2017Award
Korean Ministry of Food & Drug Safety Award
The Korean Ministry of Food & Drug Safety (MFDS) — the country's highest pharmaceutical regulator — honoured Pyunkang Korean Medicine Hospital for long-term commitment to traditional Korean medicine quality management and consumer safety.
- 2018
Cumulative users pass 100,000 worldwide
Pyunkang-Hwan reached customers in North America, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia.
- 2019Award
Republic of Korea Challenge Festival · Distinguished Recognition
Received the Republic of Korea Challenge Festival's distinguished-figure recognition for Dr. Seo's contribution to internationalising Korean medicine.
- 2021Award
Medical Asia · Korean Medicine Globalisation Contribution Award
Received the Medical Asia Korean Medicine Globalisation Contribution Award, recognising the international reach of Pyunkang-Hwan in overseas Chinese-speaking communities.
- 2022Award
Korean National Citizen Award + NY State Assembly Citation + NY Lecture
Received the Korean National Citizen Award (Medical Development category); the New York State Assembly issued an official citation, presented in person by NY State Assemblyman Ron Kim; that same year, the Pyunkang-Hwan 50th-anniversary health lecture was held in New York with additional sessions added by demand.
- 2025Award
PBS Feature + Andy Kim Senate Letter of Recognition
Featured on PBS US public television in a special titled “Lung Health · The Korean Way”; that same year, received a Letter of Recognition from US Senator Andy Kim (New Jersey, the first Korean American US Senator).
- 2026
Pyunkang-Hwan global website redesign
To mark the brand's 50th anniversary, launched a new global website serving Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and English audiences.