Seo Seong Nak
Harbin Deer Antler

Can you tell us your name, age and hometown?

My name is Seo Seong Nak, and my birthdate is September 14, 1949. I was born in Harbin, China.

Please tell us about your childhood.

My mother and father went to Manchuria from Korea during the Japanese colonial era, but they couldn't return to their hometown because of the Korean War, so they stayed. They raised five children there. I am the fourth child out of five siblings, with one older brother, two older sisters, and one younger sibling.

What do you remember most about your parents? What kind of work did your parents do?

My father struggled a lot in Manchuria during the Japanese colonial era because he couldn't speak Chinese. My older brother and sisters also only spoke Korean, which caused us a lot of difficulties and discrimination from the Chinese people around us. 

I was good at sports, especially soccer, and I played for the industrial team of the Railway Bureau. My [older] brother also played soccer, and my younger brother was on the Chinese military national team.

How did you come to the United States?

My parents received a letter from home saying that my aunt was in the United States. My aunt invited my parents and me to come to the U.S. My parents eventually returned to China, but I stayed in L.A. When we first arrived [in 1987], we had $35 each. We spent some money on snacks in Japan, and after buying a pack of cigarettes for my father and myself, I had $15 left when I entered the U.S. My aunt paid the first month's rent but told me to find a way to pay the next month's rent on my own, so I started looking for work.

Can you tell us about your first job? How else did you find employment?

My first job was at a glass shop, but it didn’t last long. Since I played soccer, I joined a soccer club and was introduced to various jobs through them. I tried plumbing for a while. My wife, whom I invited from China, had studied nursing but couldn't work as a nurse in the U.S. because of her English skills. A friend of mine was running a construction materials business, and my wife and I started working there. Eventually, we opened our own construction materials store.

We initially opened our store inside a mall on Olympic Boulevard, but it didn't do well because there wasn't much foot traffic. In 1989, we found our current location on Western Avenue. At that time, the rent was affordable because the area wasn't as busy as it is now. Over the years, Koreatown has grown, and now we have many Korean markets and more business activity.

Where did you learn about traditional Eastern medicine?

I studied at Samra University in the U.S. for four years, and my older sister is also a doctor in China.

Why did you name your business Harbin Pharmacy?

I named it after my birthplace, Harbin.

What is the perception of Traditional Chinese Medicine in American society?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is still not widely recognized in American society. Older Asians know about it, but younger people aren’t very familiar with it. However, due to its natural, plant-based ingredients, interest in it is gradually growing. Many people are surprised to learn that it doesn’t contain chemical compounds, is not harmful to the body, and is effective for conditions like constipation and digestive issues. The outlook is very bright if young people start taking an interest in traditional herbal medicine. Since herbal medicine is a natural product that is not harmful to the body and has excellent efficacy, it will hold an important place in American society in the future.

I hope more people, including non-Koreans, become interested in traditional Eastern medicine and understand its benefits.

What kind of diseases do people typically come to you for?

Many people come for constipation, joint pain, and muscle spasms. Constipation medicine is especially important for the elderly. About 80% of elderly people suffer from constipation, and it often leads to high blood pressure, so it is essential for them to take medicine for constipation.

What is the most popular medicine in your business?

The most well-known medicines are constipation medicine and digestive aids. The constipation medicine has been effective for 20 years, and the digestive aid is made from herbs instead of chemical ingredients like Western medicine. Joint pain medicine and cold medicine are also popular.

How do you use deer antlers in your treatments?

Deer antlers were traditionally used to improve blood circulation, and now they are also known for their cosmetic benefits.

Do you have any advice for those who want to start a traditional herbal medicine business?

Traditional herbal medicine is more complex than other businesses. You need to understand the ingredients of the herbs, how to use them, and how to adjust them according to each person’s constitution. Because of this, it’s important to study thoroughly and be well-prepared.

How have Western Avenue and the Korean community influenced your business over the past 20 years?

The relationship between China and the U.S. has affected the price of herbal medicine, which has increased tenfold. With the current economic situation, people have less money to spend and buy less medicine. This has made it difficult for all the herbal medicine stores in the area, not just ours.

How did the IMF crisis and COVID-19 affect your business?

The IMF crisis and the downturn in the U.S. economy caused real estate prices to drop. Just when things seemed to be improving, COVID-19 hit, and our business slowed down significantly. We’ve managed to keep the store running by also selling herbal medicines. The overall economy has been tough, especially in Koreatown.

Can you tell us about the relationships with other businesses and the community on Western Avenue?

We have a good relationship with other businesses and the community. Many people have a favorable opinion of our store because of the traditional herbal medicines we offer. However, due to economic limitations, people buy less medicine than they used to.

When we first opened, the language barrier made things difficult, but over time, we built strong relationships and support within the community, which has helped us sustain our business.

What are the most significant changes you’ve seen in the Koreatown community?

I’ve been running this store for 25 years in the U.S. If we go back about 20 years, Koreatown was small, and there were just a few people around. But now, the area has expanded, and people’s economic situation has become more restricted, so they’ve started to distance themselves. Koreatown has also grown, and people around here seem nostalgic about the past. For example, a simple item like ribs, which used to cost $1.99 per pound 15 or 20 years ago, now costs $12 or $13 per pound.

Back in the day, when we were all into soccer, our soccer league in Orange County would hold a monthly tournament, and 35 teams would participate. In those days, when the games were really popular, we had three teams competing at the same time. But now, it’s becoming harder to organize these kinds of events. Teams are increasingly not attending tournaments because one team's participation costs about $300. For three teams, that’s $900, and with food and other expenses, it would be at least $3,000. So, slowly but surely, the teams have been falling apart.

Finally, do you have any message you would like to share with the Korean community?

I hope Koreatown becomes more vibrant and develops into a community that leaves a positive image for the second and third generations. I hope we can continue preserving our Korean identity while developing into a better Korean community in American society.

What do you expect for your business in the next 10 years?

In 10 years, I plan to retire and pass the business on to my son and daughter-in-law while still being involved in some capacity.