Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
INTERVIEW Charbulanc seeking to enhance country's wellbeing treatments
Gerald Roden, CEO of Charbulanc, speaks at Korea University Medical Center in Seoul, Monday, about setting up a wellness center to better treat local patients. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Gerald Roden, CEO of Charbulanc which specializes in luxury wellness brands, is seeking to work with Korea University Medical Center (KUMC) in hopes of launching a wellness center.
Wellness treatments are mostly used pre- and post-surgery using natural methods including massage, aromatherapy and ceramics to help patients recover.
“The big idea is to treat people but also to make them happy. You have to prepare patients before, during and after the treatment. We want to work in collaboration with Korea University Medical Hospital and try to develop a global concept of wellbeing for people,” Roden said.
Charbulanc, established in 2016 in Switzerland, is hoping to collaborate with the university to develop specialized products for Korean patients.
“I have expertise in Switzerland and France but I can't say that about Korea, and which line of products best suits the people,” he said. “To figure out how people will live longer and better is best known by medical experts. That is why we want to work with this university hospital and develop a wellness center and learn the knowhow.”
Some KUMC professors believe Charbulanc could help enhance the institution's wellbeing programs and treatments.
“We look at Charbulanc as a wellbeing platform from Europe, not low but high quality. Even some of the high-quality products need to go through verification to see if they fit the Korean public, that is why Charbulanc is seeking our help in the medical field,” said Park Kun-woo, director of neurology at the KUMC Device Innovation Center.
Roden wants to set Korea as its Asia Hub and plans to develop products that could be exported to nearby Asian nations including China and Japan.
“We will start with Korea as an experience base and after four or five years they can give us the direction on how to better bring happiness and wellbeing to other people. From the university's knowhow and testing, there will be medical evidence available. On that basis, we plan to develop products that suit Koreans and nearby countries,” Roden said.
The negotiation between Charbulanc and KUMC is in the beginning stages and the university will look into the possibility of investing in the firm, according to a KUMC official.
Roden graduated from the University of Franche-Comte with a bachelor's degree in marketing and found success in the field of luxury goods including watches, jewelry and cosmetics.
He served as the CEO of Watches and Jewelry and as the executive vice president of Swiss Festina Group.