Many Korean physicians are dissatisfied with their socioeconomic status. While they report high levels of pride in their chosen profession, Korean physicians tend to have a poor understanding of ethical issues, weak social skills, confusion about their job identity, and high levels of anxiety toward the future. These problems are partly addressed by current medical school curricula, most of which provide students with at least some basic training in medical ethics. However, this article argues that in order to resolve the aforementioned problems fully, greater awareness is needed of the concept of medical professionalism. Awareness of the requirements of medical professionalism would not only assist physicians in their practice of medicine, but would also help physicians gain greater levels public trust and thereby improve their standing in society.