Director Kim Jae-chul of La Dental Clinic, who has led the popularization of implant procedures in Korea. He is known as a renowned collector in the cultural scene. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

Director Kim Jae-chul of La Dental Clinic, who has led the popularization of implant procedures in Korea. He is known as a renowned collector in the cultural scene.  

La Dental Clinic, nestled in a five-story building in Songjeong-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, is so filled with countless artworks that it would not be an exaggeration to say the entire building is an art museum.

Director Kim is not only a collector but also an active artist. While most dental clinics use their first floor for patient reception or waiting areas, the first floor of La Dental Clinic serves as an art exhibition space and Director Kim's studio.

Next to a vintage truck model used by the luxury brand Louis Vuitton for its Christmas display, a painting by Director Kim rests on an easel. The large face painted with a big jar in the center of the studio is also Director Kim's work. 

“People are confused whether it’s a dental clinic or an art museum”

The exterior of La Dental Clinic (top left) and the first-floor atelier and exhibition space (top right). The waiting area is also filled with ceramics and paintings. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

On the first floor, visitors can encounter various exhibits, including a jukebox actually used in Japan in the early 20th century and early ballet photographs by Moon Hun-sook, the director of the Universal Ballet.

Ascending to the upper floors via stairs adorned with jars, old books, and sculptures, more artworks await.

The paintings by Lee Ufan, Lee Jong-hak, and Cheon Kyung-ja encountered on the top floor were particularly striking. However, it was unique that most of the artworks, except for a few, were simply laid out on the floor haphazardly. Even the valuable "Beauty" by Cheon Kyung-ja and "Woman" by Choi Young-rim were casually placed on the floor. 

One might wonder if this is due to the sheer volume of his collection. However, beyond the abundance of his collection, there was a reason for Director Kim's way of storing the artworks. 

“I don't like to frame and hang artworks on the wall. I prefer a more relaxed arrangement and casual appreciation, even if it appears a bit disorganized.”

In other words, this layered display was Director Kim's unique style. 

Paintings by artist Lee Ufan encountered at La Dental Clinic. ⒸHanmi Ilbo 

The third floor features a music listening room and a small live stage. ⒸHanmi IlboMeeting works by over 500 artists, both domestic and international, from the first-generation modernist artist Chung Gyu (1923-1971) to photographer Lee Byung-sang, and including Lee Ki-bong, Park Mi-ran, Yoshimoto Nara, Lee Dae-won, Hwang Ju-ri, Oh Se-young, Kim Il-tae, Kim Hyo-sook, Kim Man-geun, Kim Sung-geun, and Hwang Gyu-baek, is an unparalleled pleasure for visitors.

The third floor houses a music listening room and a small live stage. He recently held gatherings with acquaintances here. This space, which can accommodate up to 50 people, houses the well-worn guitar that Kim Kwang-seok played and sang with. While the exhibition spaces have a relaxed atmosphere, this area is decorated in a grand and elegant manner. 

Director Kim was wearing a red scarf that day. The building of La Dental Clinic, which he operates, is also predominantly red. Across from his clinic is "Cafe La," which he also runs. Cafe La is also entirely red. 

“Red is the color of the sun. In Egyptian mythology, red symbolizes Ra, the sun god. La Dental Clinic and Cafe La were named with inspiration from 'Ra.' Ra is not only the sun god but also a god who creates the world and governs order.”

While the name of the sun god 'Ra,' depicted with a falcon's head topped with a solar disk, as a dental clinic name was somewhat surprising, it made sense. Director Kim lives his life passionately and autonomously from dawn till dusk, much like the sun god Ra. 

“The female body is the Creator’s greatest work”

"After creating woman, God put a period on creation." Photo by Kim Jae-chul

In the photo studio. Photo courtesy of Kim Jae-chul 

Director Kim Jae-chul is also a skilled saxophonist. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

While operating La Dental Clinic, he is active as an art collector, painter, nude photographer, and saxophonist. This alone is impressive, but he also currently manages Cafe La and serves as the chairman of the Seongdong-gu Welfare Center's sponsorship committee.

Regarding his foray into nude photography, he stated, "Of all the Creator's creations, humans are the most beautiful. After creating woman, God put a period on creation. I felt sad about the gaze that views such a beautiful female body as merely sexual, and I wanted to show it properly."

The lyrics from (G)I-DLE's song "Nxde," released at the end of 2022 and with over 375 million views to date, include the following lines:

“Excuse me, if everyone here expects a raunchy work, Oh I’m sorry, there’s none of that.”

“Why you think that ’bout nude. ’Cause your view’s so rude. Think outside the box.”

“My beautiful nude, my gorgeous nude, I’m born nude. You are the pervert.”

Perhaps he wanted to protect the female form from the rude gaze of the world, much like the K-pop lyrics. For Director Kim, the female body is a source of inspiration and a sacred subject. He explained, "The female body is the origin of all things. It is the place where we are born. The female body is a beautiful place that conceives life. The female body does not lie."

He also emphasized, "There needs to be an environment where nude photography is viewed purely as an artwork. Because adult perspectives are skewed, people are reluctant to show nude paintings or photographs to children. From a young age, we need to cultivate an eye for nude art. The more something is taboo, the more values become distorted."

Regarding the significant influence of left-leaning ideologies in the current cultural scene, he stated, "I feel that the current perspective on culture is overly rigid and confrontational. A more relaxed atmosphere for appreciating art needs to be formed." He added that "the freedom of the right-wing" is desirable when approaching culture. 

It is well-known that the left has historically viewed culture as a tool for social change, emphasizing equality, the destruction of tradition, and criticism of the establishment. Many people are concerned that this kind of cultural power grabs alienates the public from art or blurs its essence. 

'Cafe La' operated by Director Kim Jae-chul. Like his dental clinic, it is presented as a cafe and art museum. ⒸHanmi Ilbo 

Finally, he remarked, "Although we are making a name for ourselves in K-pop and the game industry, it is still too early to call ourselves a cultural powerhouse. The United States accounts for 42% of the global art market. China, including Hong Kong (19%), and the United Kingdom (17%) follow. These three countries dominate the world art market. Korea's share is less than 1%," emphasizing the need to see, create, promote, and enjoy more. 

Director Kim Jae-chul, an eternal art lover and an eternal free spirit. His dream is to build a proper museum to exhibit the collection he has amassed throughout his life. Until then, he will continue to draw, collect, and share his appreciation of art with many people. 

Reporter Lim Yo-hee