Health Checkups in Korea for Korean Americans

During the pandemic years from 2021 to 2023, one of the first groups of Americans we saw turning to health checkups in Korea was Korean Americans — especially those who were born in the U.S. or spent most of their school years there. Many were in their mid-30s to 50s, already making key financial and healthcare decisions for their families.

At first, many booked their appointments through Korean-speaking family members living in Korea. These relatives knew the local healthcare system and could help navigate reservations in Korean, often through KakaoTalk or phone call. For many Korean Americans, this felt like the safest way to access Korea’s health checkup system. 

KMI Gwangju: William, Himedi’s co-founder, is also a Korean American who first discovered Korea’s health checkup system at KMI Gwangju in 2023. 

A Shift Toward Self-Directed Care

But we have noticed a shift: many Korean Americans no longer want to rely entirely on family members. They want to understand their options and experience Korean healthcare on their own terms.

• Personalized Choice: They already know Korean health checkups are excellent. Now, they want to choose a package that fits their own needs. To do that, the experience needs to be fully supported in English from the very beginning — from comparing checkup centers and packages online to understanding what each test includes. When needed, they should also be able to discuss their personal health concerns in English before making a decision. 
• Medical Privacy: Even when family members are trying to help, certain health information can be uncomfortable to share. This may include OB-GYN exams such as cervical cancer screening, urology exams, polyps found during a colonoscopy, past medical history, or psychiatric medication use.
• Better Experience: Some customers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience. They may want a more private environment or a 1:1 interpreter escort throughout their visit.

We have found that local Koreans and Korean Americans who have spent most of their lives in the U.S. often have different priorities. For Korean Americans who are more comfortable in English and live busy lives in the U.S., time in Korea is valuable. Because of this, they often want to make the most of their visit by taking advantage of Korea’s efficiency and receiving more comprehensive testing while they are here. It is also very important for many of them to receive digital imaging files, so they can share their results with their doctors in the U.S. after returning home.

Building a Better Checkup Experience

Himedi will continue improving its service for Korean Americans who may not have easy access to local Korean medical information. Our goal is to make health checkups in Korea easier to understand, book, and experience — in English, with privacy, and with support before, during, and after the visit.

About the Author

Donkyo Seo — Co-founder & CEO, Himedi

For the past 9 years, Donkyo has helped international patients navigate Korean healthcare. Himedi is licensed by Korea's Ministry of Health & Welfare (License #A-2016-01-01-2345).