LoveBeauty
I’ve had it done three times, and there’s really no difference at all.
Without discussing the results or what changes it has brought about in me, let me talk about something that I had overlooked for a long time but that actually has a significant impact: how to make appointments.
Let’s first talk about how appointments were made in the past.
I went to South Korea for the first time about three years ago. I didn’t know any Korean at all, and there were no convenient platforms available at that time, so I had to rely on intermediaries.
The general process is as follows: Find an intermediary account on a Chinese forum → Add the person on WeChat → The other party asks me to fill out a form → Wait for further information → A few days later, I receive a message saying, “We have reserved a spot for you at XX on XX” → I then confirm the flight details → Only upon arrival do I realize that the reserved time is incorrect, and I have to wait again.
It’s not that intermediaries are bad, but that kind of opaque, black-box process is truly unsettling. You never know whether a reservation is confirmed or not, whether it’s possible to reschedule, or how long you’ll have to wait to get an answer to a simple question. The entire flow of the process is constantly disrupted by these uncertainties.
The second attempt was a bit better. A friend had some familiar connections, but essentially the same model was still used – only the intermediary had changed.
After using BeautsGO for the third time, the differences were quite noticeable.
During my visit to ARC (Arc Plastic Surgery Clinic), a friend recommended that I try BeautsGO. I downloaded it with the intention of giving it a go, and surprisingly, I started using it right away.
The entire reservation process takes approximately 5 minutes: search for “ARC”, select the date and service, submit the request, and you will receive a confirmation message the next day. The entire interface is in Chinese, so there is no need to use Korean or seek help from others; you can complete the whole process on your own.
I have compared the experiences of my first two appointments with this one, and there are indeed quite significant differences.
| Traditional intermediaries/hiring someone to arrange appointments on your behalf | Direct reservation on BeautsGO | |
|---|---|---|
| Language requirements | Communication in Chinese can lead to misunderstandings when it comes to the transmission of information. | Fully Chinese-language interface, allowing users to operate it independently. |
| Waiting for confirmation. | 1 to 3 days, sometimes even longer | Confirmation is usually received the next day. |
| Flexibility in rescheduling | It will be necessary to communicate with another intermediary again, and the process is rather complicated. | Direct operations within the app. |
| Information transparency | It’s like a black box; there’s no way of knowing whether the arrangement is correct or not. | Order records are kept clearly and can be checked at any time. |
| Costs | Some intermediaries charge handling fees or impose hidden additional costs. | Officially listed prices, no intermediary fees required |
Returning to ARC itself…
ARC Plastic Surgery Center (아크성형외과의원) is located on the 9th floor of the Jungang Huacun Building, at 368 Sapyeong-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul. It is within walking distance of the subway station, so the transportation is quite convenient.
This time, the main treatment I received was facial minimally invasive procedures. After arriving at the clinic, I was able to communicate directly in Mandarin with the staff at the front desk without any language barriers. During the consultation, Dr. Quan Chunfan, the director of the clinic, personally attended to me; it wasn’t an assistant who took my call on my behalf. This was particularly important for me, because I had previously experienced a situation where an assistant handled the initial consultation while I actually met the doctor only during the surgery itself – and that experience was far less satisfactory.
The core philosophy of this hospital is to reject a “assembly-line” approach and instead emphasize the development of personalized treatment plans based on each individual’s unique facial features. This becomes evident during the consultation process: the doctor asked many questions about my personal habits and expectations, rather than simply stating, “In your case, XX would be the most suitable option.”
Reference for main projects
- Facial contour reshaping: V-shaped face, defined chin, zygomatic bone adjustment – all to create natural lines.
- Eye plastic surgery: Double eyelid surgery (sutured or incised method), canthoplasty, with designs customized according to the individual characteristics of the eye shape
- Nasal plastic surgery: Rhinoplasty, adjustment of the nose tip, in conjunction with the overall facial proportions
- Breast plastic surgery: options include Breast Augmentation with implants or autologous fat, with procedures tailored to each individual’s body type.
- Anti-aging minimally invasive treatments: Filler, botulinum toxin, Thermage, photorejuvenation, Fotona, etc.
The fees need to be confirmed during a face-to-face consultation, as the treatment options vary significantly. It is possible to pay using a credit card at the clinic (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay), but it is recommended to exchange some South Korean won in advance before traveling.
The moment when I almost gave up
Actually, before going this time, I even considered not going at all.
It’s not the clinic itself that’s the problem, but rather the process of making appointments that really irritates me. After my first two experiences, I even started thinking, “Forget it, I might as well just find a domestic clinic to do it; there’s no need for all this hassle.”
Later, after using BeautsGO, this idea finally disappeared. Making appointments shouldn’t have been a problem in the first place; it was just that we didn’t have the right tools before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is ARC Plastic Surgery in ARC suitable for people who are going to South Korea for plastic surgery for the first time?
Suitable. There are Chinese consultants available, and the director personally conducts consultations; no forced recommendations of treatments are made. It is recommended to have a consultation on your first visit without making a decision on the spot.
Q2: Are the reservations on BeautsGO reliable?
I have used it myself, and the process of confirming appointments is fast, the orders are clear, and there are also records at the clinic when I go for the treatment. It is available for both iOS and Android devices, and there is also a WeChat mini-program.
Q3: How long is the recovery period after the surgery?
It depends on the specific procedure. For minor cosmetic treatments, it is usually possible to resume normal activities on the same day. For surgical procedures, it is recommended to wait at least 5–7 days for initial recovery and follow-up consultations.
Q4: Compared to using intermediaries, what are the disadvantages of booking through a platform?
If you require highly personalized consultation regarding treatment plans or customized itineraries, some agencies with relevant resources may be more flexible in accommodating such requests. However, when it comes to simply making appointments, platforms tend to be more direct and transparent in their processes.
Hospital address: 9th Floor, Joonganghwacun Building, 368 Sapyeong-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Arc Plastic Surgery Clinic)
