Ep 21. Korean Men's Club

Dr. Ken season 1 episode 21 is titled "Korean Men's Club." This episode revolves around Ken, who is determined to join the Korean Men's Club in hopes of getting closer to his dad. His motives are pure, but the process of admission is opaque and tricky.

The Korean Men's Club is an exclusive club that Ken's father belongs to. It's a place for Korean men to bond over traditional activities and share their culture. Ken's dad is a revered member of the club, and Ken has always felt left out. He wants to reconcile with his father, who he feels is distant from him. Ken's wife, Allison, encourages him to join the club, but Ken is hesitant.

During his first attempt to join the club, Ken is turned away by the members. The club's president, Mr. Kim, tells Ken that he needs to attend a secret ritual to prove his worthiness. Ken learns that the initiation is a grueling 12-hour process that involves fasting, martial arts, and other traditional Korean activities. Ken is determined to complete the ritual and make his father proud.

Meanwhile, at Welltopia, the clinic where Ken works, Molly is plagued by a new intern, Ben, who thinks he knows it all and is full of energy. Damona sees this as an opportunity to prove her worth as she has a way that she can put the intern to work. However, she is hesitant because of her lack of experience in human resources, but she takes the sisterly advice of Julie and it works out in the end.

The Korean Men's Club initiation brings out the competitive nature in Ken, who, despite his physical limitations, wants to prove that he is worthy of joining the club. He struggles through the initiation, which includes drinking a spittoon filled with water and herbs and learning a traditional Korean dance, but he persists. Ken's dad observes from the sidelines and is secretly impressed by his determined son.

Back at the clinic, the intern Ben turns out to be downright annoying to everyone, including Ken, but Damona's tactic of putting him to work pays off and they start working together well.

As Ken completes the final task of the initiation, Mr. Kim arrives with the other members to witness his accomplishment. They invite him to join the club, but Ken has an epiphany and realizes that he doesn't need the club to gain his father's approval. He declines the invitation instead, and thanks to his determination and love for his father, they bond over the incident and there is a heartfelt moment that brings them closer together.

In summary, "Korean Men's Club" is a touching episode that is all about family and the lengths that people will go to make amends. It shows the importance of heritage and tradition, while also reminding us that what matters most is the love between family members.