Good People, Good Memories, Good Life!
"APT, APT! All you gotta do is just meet me at the APT. I’m talking drink, dance, smoke, freak, party all night. Sleep tomorrow but tonight go crazy." These lyrics from ’APT’, the globally hit K-POP song recently created by artist Rosé and pop star Bruno Mars, beautifully convey the timeless philosophy of ‘Carpe Diem’—that what truly matters most is spending today with good people and cherishing the moment. I believe that the joyful memories we create today come together to build a happy life.
As I sift through countless photographs captured over the past 30 years at TCTAP meetings, a deep sense of gratitude washes over me as I realize how many wonderful people, I have shared joyful celebrations with—each moment etched with laughter and warmth. In that reflection, I have come to learn that Good People have come together, weaving Good Memories that linger through time. I can’t help but feel that all of us, captured in those frames, are living the essence of a Good Life—one shaped by joy, connection, and shared moments.
Making the Seemingly Impossible a Reality. Since its establishment in 1989, the Department of Cardiology at Asan Medical Center has gained global recognition in just 36 years. In 2024, we achieved the highest honor—ranking first globally in the evaluations at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT). The impossible became our reality.
Looking back, at just the right time, the Division of Cardiology brought together good people—like- minded friends. Back then, we were all "No. 3s"- hungry, young dreamers. We had a clear goal: to quickly catch up with the reputation of other established university hospitals. So, we all worked hard. With the opening of the hospital, we treated countless patients and built a strong academic foundation, publishing numerous research papers. In 1991, we performed the very first Palmaz-Schatz bare-metal stent procedure in the Asia-Pacific region, and by 1994, we had begun left main stenting for patients with left main coronary artery disease. At first, skepticism and ridicule made the journey difficult. But today, according to ACC/AHA and ESC guidelines, stent procedures are considered a viable treatment option for nearly two-thirds of patients with left main disease—a reality that once seemed unimaginable. Academically, we published our first paper in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) in 2003, and to date, we have produced over 700 papers, including nine additional publications in NEJM and one in The Lancet.
In 1995, we established the Angioplasty Summit, creating a space-much like Rosé’s ‘APT’—where colleagues could meet, share their experiences, learn from one another, and forge lasting friendships. In 2005, through collaboration with TCT in the U.S., the event evolved into TCTAP (Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Asia Pacific), which now celebrates its 30th anniversary. Today, TCTAP has grown into one of the most prestigious global conferences in interventional cardiology. What once seemed impossible—beyond the realm of imagination—has now become reality.
The reason we have grown this much is deeply rooted in the unique "philosophy of sharing" established by Chairman Chung Ju-yung, who founded the hospital with the goal of helping the poor and the sick. This founding philosophy of sharing was ultimately about supporting one another and thriving together through collaboration. From a methodological perspective, our success today has been shaped by his spirit of challenge—embodied in the question, "Have you tried it?"—as well as by a new kind of servant leadership that empowers our members to work with excitement and enthusiasm, giving them the freedom to fully engage. Furthermore, this growth was made possible because our team’s confidence and capabilities continued to expand. Most importantly, we stood together, driven by a shared vision and unwavering determination, this is collaboration.
Collaboration is the Key to Human Survival. We became number one. Now, our only competitor is ourselves. Throughout history, collaboration has been humanity’s most effective survival strategy—from our hunter-gatherer ancestors to the present day. In essence, the purpose of working together is to ensure that a team’s collective achievements far exceed what any individual could accomplish alone. From a socio-economic perspective, the greater the benefits, the higher the chances of survival. This is why humanity has endured as a group.
When viewed through the lens of history and the humanities, one of the most important factors in successful collaboration is the presence of "good people"—those who support and help one another. In other words, while we thrive as a team, each individual member plays a vital role. However, given that assembling a group of only "good people" is unrealistic, we must acknowledge that collaboration is never inherently stable! For this reason, I believe it is crucial for team members to pass down core values while continuously striving to understand, empathize with, and uphold them across generations.
On a personal level, I am deeply grateful and immensely proud to witness the unwavering dedication of Professors Park Duk-Woo, Ahn Jung-Min, and Kang Do-Yoon, along with our devoted clinical fellows who have not only preserved but also expanded upon everything we have built together. Through relentless questioning, studying, learning, supporting, and respecting one another, they have upheld our team’s values with steadfast commitment, ensuring that our legacy continues to grow even stronger. I feel incredibly happy, as if I am looking ahead to a bright and hopeful future for the next 30 years. Heartfelt thanks.
As I sift through countless photographs captured over the past 30 years at TCTAP meetings, a deep sense of gratitude washes over me as I realize how many wonderful people, I have shared joyful celebrations with—each moment etched with laughter and warmth. In that reflection, I have come to learn that Good People have come together, weaving Good Memories that linger through time. I can’t help but feel that all of us, captured in those frames, are living the essence of a Good Life—one shaped by joy, connection, and shared moments.
Making the Seemingly Impossible a Reality. Since its establishment in 1989, the Department of Cardiology at Asan Medical Center has gained global recognition in just 36 years. In 2024, we achieved the highest honor—ranking first globally in the evaluations at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT). The impossible became our reality.
Looking back, at just the right time, the Division of Cardiology brought together good people—like- minded friends. Back then, we were all "No. 3s"- hungry, young dreamers. We had a clear goal: to quickly catch up with the reputation of other established university hospitals. So, we all worked hard. With the opening of the hospital, we treated countless patients and built a strong academic foundation, publishing numerous research papers. In 1991, we performed the very first Palmaz-Schatz bare-metal stent procedure in the Asia-Pacific region, and by 1994, we had begun left main stenting for patients with left main coronary artery disease. At first, skepticism and ridicule made the journey difficult. But today, according to ACC/AHA and ESC guidelines, stent procedures are considered a viable treatment option for nearly two-thirds of patients with left main disease—a reality that once seemed unimaginable. Academically, we published our first paper in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) in 2003, and to date, we have produced over 700 papers, including nine additional publications in NEJM and one in The Lancet.
In 1995, we established the Angioplasty Summit, creating a space-much like Rosé’s ‘APT’—where colleagues could meet, share their experiences, learn from one another, and forge lasting friendships. In 2005, through collaboration with TCT in the U.S., the event evolved into TCTAP (Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Asia Pacific), which now celebrates its 30th anniversary. Today, TCTAP has grown into one of the most prestigious global conferences in interventional cardiology. What once seemed impossible—beyond the realm of imagination—has now become reality.
The reason we have grown this much is deeply rooted in the unique "philosophy of sharing" established by Chairman Chung Ju-yung, who founded the hospital with the goal of helping the poor and the sick. This founding philosophy of sharing was ultimately about supporting one another and thriving together through collaboration. From a methodological perspective, our success today has been shaped by his spirit of challenge—embodied in the question, "Have you tried it?"—as well as by a new kind of servant leadership that empowers our members to work with excitement and enthusiasm, giving them the freedom to fully engage. Furthermore, this growth was made possible because our team’s confidence and capabilities continued to expand. Most importantly, we stood together, driven by a shared vision and unwavering determination, this is collaboration.
Collaboration is the Key to Human Survival. We became number one. Now, our only competitor is ourselves. Throughout history, collaboration has been humanity’s most effective survival strategy—from our hunter-gatherer ancestors to the present day. In essence, the purpose of working together is to ensure that a team’s collective achievements far exceed what any individual could accomplish alone. From a socio-economic perspective, the greater the benefits, the higher the chances of survival. This is why humanity has endured as a group.
When viewed through the lens of history and the humanities, one of the most important factors in successful collaboration is the presence of "good people"—those who support and help one another. In other words, while we thrive as a team, each individual member plays a vital role. However, given that assembling a group of only "good people" is unrealistic, we must acknowledge that collaboration is never inherently stable! For this reason, I believe it is crucial for team members to pass down core values while continuously striving to understand, empathize with, and uphold them across generations.
On a personal level, I am deeply grateful and immensely proud to witness the unwavering dedication of Professors Park Duk-Woo, Ahn Jung-Min, and Kang Do-Yoon, along with our devoted clinical fellows who have not only preserved but also expanded upon everything we have built together. Through relentless questioning, studying, learning, supporting, and respecting one another, they have upheld our team’s values with steadfast commitment, ensuring that our legacy continues to grow even stronger. I feel incredibly happy, as if I am looking ahead to a bright and hopeful future for the next 30 years. Heartfelt thanks.
Seung-Jung Park, MD
Chair Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center
Chairman, CardioVascular Research Foundation (CVRF)
Director, TCTAP
Editor-in-Chief, Photo Album
