Meet Koen Woo (Ken) Kim of WebACU Acupuncture Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Koen Woo (Ken) Kim.

Hi Koen Woo (Ken), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, I’m Kim, Koen W. (L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.), a licensed acupuncturist based in Beverly Hills, California, where I have been in clinical practice since 2005. I was born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1970, and my journey into acupuncture began in a very personal way.

I began training in Taekwondo at the age of 9 under the encouragement of my mother, a high school modern ballet teacher, and eventually earned a 5th-degree black belt along with Master certification from Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters, South Korea). Years of intensive training led to repeated injuries, and through those experiences, I was introduced to acupuncture as a patient. The effectiveness of the treatment left a deep impression on me and ultimately shaped my decision to pursue this path professionally.

In addition to my clinical work, I have been actively involved in emergency response education. As an instructor with the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, I have taught CPR and First Aid to healthcare professionals, educators, students, and community members—experiences that have allowed me to contribute to real-life emergency situations.

Today, I specialize in treating sports injuries, chronic pain, and stress-related conditions such as anxiety, with a focus on patients who have not found lasting relief through conventional treatments.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been an easy path. My journey began as a patient dealing with injuries, which gave me firsthand experience of pain and recovery. Transitioning from patient to practitioner required years of rigorous training, discipline, and the development of deep clinical experience.

Even after completing my master’s degree in 2005, I realized how much more there was to learn. That realization continues to drive me. In 2024, I began pursuing a doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, with an expected graduation in 2027. My research focuses on pain, mental health and metabolic diseases, including obesity, through root-cause and integrative treatment approaches.

Beyond my clinical work, I have also taken on leadership roles in the field, including serving as Director of Education for the California Korean Acupuncture Association and as President of a California Korean Sports Acupuncture organization. I have worked to expand training programs and bring structured education in sports acupuncture to California.

Looking ahead, I am preparing a team of practitioners with the goal of supporting South Korea athletes at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games and, more broadly, introducing Korean acupuncture medicine to a global audience.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
What distinguishes WebACU Acupuncture Group is our commitment to treating not just symptoms, but the root causes of disease.
My clinical philosophy is grounded in a principle I learned from my mentor:

“All things originate from the mind.” (一切唯心造)
This reflects the belief that physical health, emotional state, and lifestyle are deeply interconnected. In practice, I approach conditions such as chronic pain, obesity, PTSD, anxiety, and metabolic disorders through an integrated lens—treating both the body and the mind.
My background in Taekwondo and sports medicine also shapes my approach. I focus not only on reducing pain, but on restoring movement, improving function, and preventing recurrence.

For patients who have not found relief through surgery or medication, I design highly personalized treatment plans that may include acupuncture, cupping therapy, manual therapy, herbal medicine, and structured weight optimization programs.

Practicing in Beverly Hills, where patients have high expectations and diverse backgrounds, I combine traditional Korean medicine with modern functional medicine perspectives. Rather than simply asking “Where does it hurt?”, I focus on understanding why the problem continues—analyzing lifestyle, stress, and metabolic factors to identify the root cause.

Ultimately, our goal is to help patients return to healthier, more functional lives through sustainable, long-term healing.

Can you share a memorable experience from your work?
One of the most meaningful aspects of my work has been treating veterans through the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Medical Center. Many patients come in with physical pain, but over time it becomes clear that they are also dealing with deep psychological trauma, including PTSD from combat experiences.

By approaching treatment through a mind-body framework and developing structured care plans, I have seen meaningful improvements not only in pain levels, but also in daily functioning and quality of life. Those moments are incredibly rewarding and remind me why I chose this profession.

At the same time, there are also challenges. For example, working with cancer patients experiencing fatigue and pain from chemotherapy can be difficult, as results are not always immediate. In these cases, I focus on providing supportive, integrative care that complements conventional treatment and improves overall well-being.

Both the successes and the challenges continue to shape my approach and push me to keep learning.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who or what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I owe a great deal of my journey to my mentor, the late Dr. Kim, Hong-kyung (1950~2021)

Early in my career, I recognized the limits of my knowledge and returned to Seoul, Korea, to study directly under him. During that time, I learned not only clinical techniques but also a deeper philosophy of care. Together with him and fellow students, I participated in medical volunteer work across underserved communities, treating patients in regions with limited access to care. It was during this time that I fully understood his teaching: healing is not only a technical skill, but a responsibility.

To this day, I carry the principle of “심의 (心醫)”—a true healer who treats both the body and the mind—with me in every patient interaction.

WebACU Acupuncture Group

• WebACU Acupuncture Group
• 291 S. La Cienega Blvd #203
• Tel) 213-605-0004
• Fax) 213-376-1004
• WebAcu7@gmail.com

Pricing:
We accept most insurance plans and Car accident cases.

• Pain & Mental Health

          Initial Exam + Acupuncture: $150
          Follow-up Acupuncture: $110
          Manual Therapy (Add-on): $35
          Cupping Therapy: $80
          Herbal Medicine: $30–$300

• Natural Weight Optimization Program

          Initial Visit: $150 (Includes InBody Analysis, Herbal Formula, Consultation)

• Customized packages available:
  • 1 Month Intensive Weight Loss  + 5 Months Maintenance
  • 2 Months Intensive Weight Loss + 8 Months Maintenance
  • 3 Months Intensive Weight Loss + 10 Months Maintenance

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.webacu.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/webacu.acupuncture/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/webacu7?mibextid=ZbWKwL