‘Smile therapy’ professor Hwang Soo-kwan dies

Hwang Soo-kwan, 67, a medical professor who was widely known as “Shinbaram (excitement) Professor,” died of blood poisoning Sunday.

After having breathing difficulties, Hwang had had heart surgery on Dec. 12 at Gangnam Severance Hospital in southern Seoul.

The medical school professor at Yonsei University in Seoul gained popularity for his positive character as he promoted “smile therapy” on several TV programs in the late 1990s.

He also worked as a senior advisor for the ruling Saenuri Party in 2012.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)