We translated the original interview from Nate, a Korean news website. Here's the original Korean text.
Why a Genius Dentist Gives up Poker Earnings
We met dentist Park Hyun-seok (박현석), who is considered a genius with an IQ of over 156. He is the winner of the 'Brain Survival Program', but he smiled awkwardly as he said that he experienced failure six times in the college entrance exam.
A Certified Genius
In the mid-2010s, the entertainment industry was hit by a brain survival program craze.
Park is actually a winner of one of these brain survival programs . Park appeared on "Society Game 2," produced by PD Jeong Jong-yeon and won with an overwhelming performance against about 20 strong competitors, as well as taking home the largest prize money of the entire season (50 million won – around USD $37,000).
However, even Mr. Park, who is so smart, was quite bad at studying.
"I took the college entrance exam three times and the dental school entrance exam three times. I didn't know how to study. I got 45 points in social studies and 29 points in home economics... I would sit down and solve the workbook, but I had no idea what to do. However, I had a talent for math. No matter what the problem was, I just solved it and it was right. In middle school, I won first place in the school's math talent contest, and in high school, I even won a prize in a competition hosted by my university. Even in the entrance exam, where I suffered defeat several times, I got a perfect score in math."
It is not known whether it was because of his innate intelligence, but Mr. Park appeared on TV, studied, and even did a magazine photoshoot for a sports brand advertisement that no one asked him to do (for reference, he is 184cm tall). In any case, he graduated from the dental school after a turbulent life. Listening to his story, I wonder if he is a bit absent-minded... As expected, even after becoming a dentist, Mr. Park continued to dabble in other things.
A Part-Time Gambler
After winning 'Society Game 2', there were many calls from similar programs, but Park chose to enlist in the military. Although he missed the opportunity to become famous, the reason his TV appearance had such a big impact on his life was because of something else. That was because he got into poker (Texas Hold'em) at the recommendation of Jang Dong-min, a broadcaster who appeared with him at the time . Currently, Park is actively participating in domestic and international competitions as a poker player in addition to his main job as a dentist.
"I don't think poker is just a card game. To put it simply, it's a game with a mechanism where you calculate in your head based on the expected results or probability, make possible inferences, and then determine the win or loss based on the actions you take. When I bet or fold and the result matches my calculations, I get a feeling similar to when I solve a math problem and get the answer right . I'm the type of person who really enjoys the situation where my brain is working, so when the result is good, I get a sense of satisfaction, a kind of pleasure."
In addition to poker, Park plays basketball with his acquaintances every week. At first glance, Park, who constantly engages in various activities, seems like someone who can't stand to have his brain or body still.
"But I'm definitely not the type to seek pleasure through games. My play style is 'stable' to the point of being boring. I don't take risks. I'm not the type to make a lot of money by betting a lot on one game. I'm not the type to trade my main job as a dentist just because I like poker. I'm not the type of person who does anything reckless."
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A Simple Man
He also expressed his affection for his main job, saying, "I'm a dentist who gives painless anesthesia."
"Many people are afraid of dental treatment. Most of it is because of the stinging and painful anesthesia injection, but if you think about the fundamental purpose of using anesthesia injections, it's not to give more pain than the painful moment, right? But paradoxically, most people are afraid of anesthesia injections. In order for patients to receive treatment without fear and with a comfortable mind, I want to give anesthesia without pain, even if it takes a little longer and takes a little more time and effort."
Let's go back to poker. The general public's view is probably somewhat negative, such as 'Why does someone with a good job gamble (poker)? Recently, with the popularity of Hold'em clubs, neon signs are shining in the streets filled with the smell of alcohol, but the public's view of poker (hold'em) is strictly speaking 'dark'.
"Poker is basically a mind sport, but it is highly addictive. Because of the nature of the game where you pay a large entry fee to win a larger prize, you cannot ignore the gambling aspect. Among the players sitting at the poker table, there are those who lose self-control and get excited or lose their sense of reason and get absorbed in the game depending on the results of the game. When I see those people, I actually worry that I might be doing something wrong.
I love poker so much, but I considered retiring."
Around this time, Park visited an orphanage where he usually volunteered for Children's Day. While he was there, an idea crossed his mind.
"I decided to donate all the prize money I won from the poker tournament I participated in to the orphanage. It's like an indulgence... It could be a compensation for the gambling feelings that come from playing. I also thought that it could have a positive effect on people who play poker and the public's view of poker. When I do that, I feel like I play with a light heart.
I plan to donate 10% of the money I receive from poker every time . It's like a tithe.'"
