[Caring the Korean Way] The curious case of Korea’s luxury fatigue fighter gongjin-dan

What does it mean to care -- deeply, instinctively, and culturally?  In this series, "Caring the Korean Way," we explore the distinct practices, beliefs, and values that shape how Koreans care for themselves and each other. From time-honored folk remedies to modern reinterpretations of healing, each story offers a window into the unique ways care is expressed in Korean life. -- Ed.

Moon Joo-hyun, a 46-year-old housekeeper in southern Seoul, swears by gongjin-dan -- the shiny golden herbal pill that, she says, brought her father back to life after Covid-19 complications left him weak and drained.

A few years ago, her father, now 80, was struggling with sluggishness and a slow recovery from pneumonia. Desperate to help, Moon rushed to Kwangdong Hospital, which offers integrated Western and Korean traditional medicine, and shelled out 500,000 won ($360) for 10 pills of gongjin-dan.

“My father ate one after breakfast every day for 10 days. Then, magically, he said he felt much better and energized,” Moon told Korea Biomedical Review.

Her father was so impressed that he later bought another 10 pills himself. Not to be left behind, Moon tried it too, picking up five for herself.

“It had a bitter, sticky, crumbly caramel texture -- but definitely not sweet,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not really sure it was effective on me, but I’m pretty sure it worked so well for my father.”

What’s inside this magic pill?

The basic four ingredients for gongjin-dan are deer antler velvet, musk, angelica root, and cornus officinalis. Korean traditional medicine clinics use these four ingredients as primary materials, with the types and quantities of herbal medicines varying according to the practitioner's discretion. The classic ratio is eight parts deer antler velvet, eight parts angelica root, eight parts cornus officinalis, and one part musk.

What makes gongjin-dan so pricey isn’t the gold foil wrapping, but the ingredients inside. Take musk, for instance — once harvested from the glands of male musk deer and now heavily restricted, it’s famed in Korean traditional medicine for boosting circulation and reducing inflammation. Then there’s deer antler velvet, the ultimate yang booster, long tied to vitality and, yes, male stamina. Angelica root provides pain relief and menstrual cramp support, while cornus officinalis is said to strengthen the kidneys and bladder. Together, these herbs create a potent -- and very expensive -- little pill of energy.

According to Kim Kye-jin, director of Four Season Korean Medicine in Euljiro, central Seoul, deer antler velvet is the key ingredient in gongjin-dan.

“When people consume something, the energy must enter the cerebrospinal fluid in some form. The cerebrospinal fluid circulates up and down along the spine. If the spinal joints are stiff, circulation is poor. Deer antler velvet alleviates that stiffness. Musk helps boost the effect of the deer antler velvet,” said Kim, a former spokesperson for the Association of Korean Medicine.

“For patients who are critically ill or severely weakened, musk has traditionally been considered an essential part of gongjin-dan. These days, however, the remedy is widely prescribed even without it. The ingredient with the greatest weight in the formula is actually deer antler velvet, which not only dominates in volume but is also regarded as the most vital component.”

Consumers can get their hands on gongjin-dan in two ways: at pharmacies, where over-the-counter products from makers like Kwangdong Pharmaceutical and Iksu Pharmaceutical are sold, or at Korean traditional medical clinics, where practitioners craft it themselves.

Gongjin-dan sold at Korean medicine clinics varies in price per pill from 30,000 to 40,000 won up to 200,000 won, depending on the musk content and pill size (3g-6g). 

According to Kim, gongjin-dan is meant to restore vitality -- but these days, many people have too much of certain things rather than too little.

“Taking it unnecessarily could bump up your blood pressure or blood sugar, so it’s smart to check first,” he said.

For newbies, Kim suggests getting a prescription from a clinic, and if it suits you, you can later grab it over the counter.

Does it actually make you a superhero?

Well, maybe not with literal capes or superpowers -- but the science suggests it just might help you feel like one in subtle ways.

In a recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2024, 90 people suffering from chronic fatigue reported significant improvements in social functioning after taking gongjin-dan for four weeks. That means better mood, more energy to connect with others, and feeling a bit more you again.

Another study in 2024 focused on gongjin-dan's effect on 33 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease and found that 100-day treatment of gongjin-dan increased their cognitive ability.

“Taking gongjin-dan clears the eyes, head, and ears, and strengthens the waist and legs. It also benefits those with declining cognitive function. It is effective for individuals with dementia or Parkinson's disease. All these effects stem from the deer antler,” Kim explained.

However, Kim warned that healthy individuals might not notice much benefit, making it an unnecessary expense.

“Gongjin-dan is generally safe with low risk of liver toxicity. Very healthy people often don’t feel a significant effect, but those in poorer health experience the benefits much more noticeably,” he said.

Koreans gifting it like gold

With some boxes priced in the thousands of dollars, gongjin-dan is hardly your average vitamin. In Korea, gifting it to parents, bosses, or even celebrities carries a double message: “I care about your health -- and your status.”

A vivid example came in 2023, when TV personality Jang Yeong-ran, whose husband is a Korean traditional medicine practitioner, brought a box of gongjin-dan to singer Lee Seung-chul during a visit to Lee’s place on a TV show. “This is a 1.4 million won ($1,000) gift. If you take this, you’ll feel completely different tomorrow morning,” she said, signaling the highest level of respect.

Korean celebrities rely on gongjin-dan, popping the golden pills before big events, long trips, or when gifting something truly special.

Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo revealed on YouTube four years ago that he keeps gongjin-dan in his car, reaching for it whenever fatigue hits.

BTS’ Jungkook reportedly took it before his 2017 MAMA Hong Kong stage, while J-Hope said on YouTube three years ago that he packs it for Las Vegas concerts.

Even singer-songwriter and actress IU has been spotted giving gongjin-dan as a thoughtful gift to both senior and junior entertainers, proving it’s the ultimate star-approved pick-me-up.