Try to keep a balance between work and relaxation.
Dentist | Junho Lee
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in dentistry?
At first, I had no interest in becoming a doctor.
Instead, I often found myself wondering,
"What is the best way to live
a meaningful and successful life?"
That curiosity eventually
led me to study biotechnology,
a field that had always fascinated me.
During my studies,
I was fortunate enough to complete
an internship at MD Anderson Cancer Center,
one of the world's leading cancer
treatment and research institutions.
It was there that I witnessed physicians
working tirelessly to care for their patients.
Watching them in action was incredibly inspiring.
What moved me most was the realization that,
while doctors are not superheroes,
they have the ability to save lives and
make a profound difference in the lives of others.
After that experience,
I became determined to pursue a career
in medicine and even dreamed of
becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon.
I learned that the field often requires
exceptional dexterity with both hands,
so despite being naturally right-handed,
I spent years training myself to use my left hand eating,
writing, and performing everyday tasks
until I eventually became ambidextrous.
However, as an international
student in the United States,
I soon realized that the path to becoming
a physician was not as straightforward as I had hoped.
After many conversations
with my professors and mentors,
I came to understand that dentistry offered
a more realistic and accessible professional pathway.
As someone who had always been skilled
with my hands and enjoyed detailed,
precise work,
I quickly developed a genuine interest in dentistry.
What began as an alternative path gradually
became a true passion, and that journey
ultimately led me to where I am today.
Q. What hobbies help bring energy
and balance to your life as a dentist?
I enjoy both creating and appreciating art.
Drawing and viewing artwork
have always been important hobbies of mine,
as they allow me to relax, reflect,
and find inspiration outside of my professional life.
I also have a deep passion
for sports and physical activities,
particularly cycling and speed skating.
Recently, I have become especially
enthusiastic about scuba diving.
In fact, I enjoy it so much that
I have no problem taking on demanding
travel schedules just to spend more time diving.
Another passion of mine is traveling.
Whenever I visit a new country,
I have a personal philosophy: "Become a local."
Rather than experiencing a destination as a tourist,
I try to immerse myself in the local culture
and daily life as much as possible.
I rarely use international roaming services
and prefer to navigate each
place the way local residents do.
For me, the most meaningful
travel experiences come from living,
even briefly, as though I belong there.
Q. Is there a place you've traveled
to that still fills you with excitement
whenever you think back on it?
Q. Is there a travel destination
that still makes your heart flutter
whenever you think back on it?
I first visited Venice as a child,
and it left a profound impression on me.
When I arrived at St. Mark's Square,
I felt as though I had discovered a part of
my own character and sensibility reflected in the city.
Watching people sit outside
the cafés surrounding the square,
leisurely sipping coffee or wine
and simply enjoying the moment,
felt incredibly refreshing
and unfamiliar to me at the time.
There was a beauty in that unhurried
way of life that deeply resonated with me.
More than twenty years later,
I had the opportunity to return in 2017.
What struck me most was that Venice
had not lost any of the charm I remembered.
It was still relaxed, beautiful, and full of life.
Even now, when I think back on that city,
I remember the happiness
and sense of wonder I felt there.
Venice remains one of the most
unforgettable places I have ever visited.
Q. How would you describe Lee Junho's
personal fashion style outside
of his role as a dentist?
I can answer that very simply
I prefer a clean and minimalist style.
Whether it's a shirt paired with trousers
or a simple T-shirt with chinos,
I'm drawn to outfits that are neat, comfortable,
and effortless. I don't tend to follow trends closely;
instead, I prefer timeless pieces that
are easy to wear and feel natural to me.
Simplicity has always been
at the core of my personal style.
Q. Is there a particular fragrance
or perfume that you enjoy wearing?
Because of my profession,
I rarely wear perfume while working.
Instead, I focus on creating an environment
where patients are as comfortable as possible
and where the typical clinical smell associated
with dental offices is minimized.
When I do wear fragrance outside of work,
I generally prefer subtle and understated scents
rather than anything overpowering.
Some of the brands I enjoy include Le Labo,
Diptyque, and Jo Malone London.
I appreciate fragrances that feel refined,
clean, and naturally elegant.
Q. What was your impression of Acmesh
after experiencing the brand firsthand?
My first impression was simple
it is incredibly comfortable.
Compared to conventional scrub tops and pants,
which often restrict movement,
Acmesh offers excellent stretch and flexibility,
allowing for complete freedom
of movement throughout the day.
What impressed me most, however, was the fabric.
You can immediately recognize a
premium garment simply by looking
at it or feeling it in your hands.
Just as clothing that looks good often feels good to wear,
the quality of the fabric is evident
from the moment you put it on.
Another standout feature is the design.
It feels unique and unlike anything else
I have seen in medical apparel
anywhere in the world.
The combination of comfort,
premium materials, and distinctive design
makes Acmesh truly stand out.
It honestly made me wonder why medical
wear like this had not existed sooner.
I believe Acmesh has tremendous potential
and a very bright future ahead.
Q. Is there any advice you would like
to share with others in your profession?
Beauty is deeply important to many people,
and as healthcare professionals,
we have a responsibility to understand
our patients' goals and expectations
in as much detail as possible.
It is essential to listen carefully
not only to what patients want, but also to
how strongly they feel about achieving
a particular outcome.
Understanding those nuances is a crucial
part of providing exceptional care.
Most importantly, we must always strive
to see things from the patient's perspective.
In aesthetic treatment, there is often
no single definition of the "right" result.
Beauty is inherently subjective, which is
why listening to our patients and respecting
their individual preferences is so important.
The more we pay attention to what our patients
are telling us, the better we can help them
achieve results that are meaningful
and satisfying to them.
