LoveBeautyHow to choose a clinic for plastic surgery in South Korea for the first time? My experiences visiting three different hospitals
When it comes to considering plastic surgery in South Korea, I believe many people, like me, feel both excited and anxious at the beginning. The amount of information available online is overwhelming – every hospital claims to be the best, but which one is right for you? Last year, I visited South Korea for the first time and spent an entire week exploring over a dozen plastic surgery clinics in the Gangnam area. In the end, I selected three hospitals with distinct styles and unique offerings: kimjongseo Plastic Surgery, Ruby Plastic Surgery, and SEHYUN AESTHETIC Plastic Surgery. This article is not intended to provide professional medical advice; rather, it reflects the genuine experiences of an ordinary tourist, hoping to offer some insights to those who are still hesitating.
Kimjongseo Plastic Surgery: An expert in contour surgery
Kimjongseo Plastic Surgery is located in the Apgujeong area, and it only takes about five minutes to get there from the subway station. What impressed me most about this hospital is its history—it has been in operation since 2000, which means it is considered one of the oldest and most established institutions in South Korea’s plastic surgery industry.
The director himself, kimjongseo, graduated from the Department of Medicine at Yonsei University and is quite renowned in South Korea’s plastic surgery community. When I made an appointment for a consultation, the office manager specifically emphasized their expertise in facial contour Surgery, particularly the 3D Zygoma Reduction Surgery and 3S Zygoma Reduction Surgery. It is said that they even received the title of “Outstanding Facial Contour Hospital” in 2009. During the consultation, the director showed me many before-and-after photos, and I indeed noticed that the results looked very natural, without any obvious signs that bones had been manipulated.
In terms of the hospital environment, the clinic is located on the second floor of a building. The area is not particularly large, but it is kept very clean. In the waiting area, you can see many people with foreign faces; the Chinese-speaking manager mentioned that a significant proportion of their patients are foreigners, so there shouldn’t be any concerns regarding communication. Regarding prices, contouring surgeries are considered relatively expensive procedures. However, since I haven’t received the specific price list, it is recommended that you consult the clinic in person for more accurate information.
Jinzhongrui Plastic Surgery
BeautsGO 認證
📍 2nd Floor, 842 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Apgujeong
Building)
🚇 Nearb
y Apgujeong Station
🕐 Monday to Friday: 10:00-19:00 / Saturday: 10:00-15:00
| Recommended projects | Reference price |
|---|---|
| 3D zygomatic Reduction surgery | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. |
| Comprehensive nasal treatments | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. |
| Eyeb cosmetic surgery | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. |
Ruby Plastic Surgery: The choice of the younger generation in Sinsa-dong
Compared to kimjongseo’s more steady and traditional style, Ruby Plastic Surgery gives me the impression of being younger and more fashionable. This clinic is located in the Rex Tower at Sinsa Station; you can simply exit from Exit 2 of Subway Line 2 and walk straight along the main road until you see the building where Starbucks is located – it’s very easy to find.
Ruby’s department head told me that their specialty lies in eye repair and liposuction. The “Natural Adhesion Method” for Double eyelid surgery, developed by the chief physician Xu Huanyu, is said to have a shorter recovery period and produce more natural results. Another chief physician, He Qihuan, specializes in nasal plastic surgery, promoting the concept of a “naturally shaped nose,” emphasizing that the nose shape should be designed according to an individual’s facial proportions rather than following the uniform standards of popular celebrity noses.
I observed in the waiting area that the guests here tend to be relatively young, with many being South Korean girls in their early twenties. The hospital’s decor is also modern and minimalist, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. It’s worth mentioning that they provide Chinese translation services, which is very convenient for tourists who don’t speak Korean.
In terms of prices, Ruby is relatively transparent. I was able to find the approximate costs online: the Double eyelid surgery costs around 2.2 million Korean won at least, the nasal comprehensive procedure starts from 4 million Korean won, and the abdominal liposuction procedure costs approximately 6 million Korean won. Of course, the actual prices can only be determined after a face-to-face consultation, but at least this gives you some idea of what to expect.
Ruby Plastic Surgery
BeautsGO 認證
📍 11th Floor, 238 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Sky Sun B
uilding)
🚇 About 300 meters walk
from Exit 2 of Sinsa Station
🕐 Monday to Thursday: 10:00-19:00 / Friday: 10:00-20:00 / Saturday: 10:00-15:00
| Recommended projects | Reference price |
|---|---|
| Double eyelid surgery using the Full incision method | Starting from ¥22.2 million |
| Nasal comprehensive surgery (Gore-Tex + nose tip) | Starting from ₩4 million |
| Liposuction of the waist and abdomen | Starting from 96 million yen |
| Manto Implant Breast Augmentation | Starting from 8 million yen |
SEHYUN AESTHETIC Plastic Surgery: A delicate approach to achieving small but beautiful results
SEHYUN AESTHETIC Plastic Surgery is the smallest of the three clinics, located on the fourth floor of the Medical Bank building in Sinsa-dong. Although it is not as well-known as the other two clinics, such smaller and more intimate practices tend to place greater emphasis on personalized services.
My first impression of this hospital was that it was “quiet”. There weren’t many people in the waiting area, and the department head was very patient as he listened carefully to my needs and expectations. Their main specialties are eye and nose plastic surgery as well as anti-aging treatments. The hospital director has a more conservative and steady approach and doesn’t try to push unnecessary procedures on patients.
What I particularly like about SEHYUN AESTHETIC is their post-treatment follow-up service. The manager said that even foreign customers can consult about their recovery progress at any time via WeChat after returning to their home countries, and any questions will be answered promptly. Such a long-term commitment to customer service is quite rare in the plastic surgery industry in South Korea.
Due to its smaller scale, the prices at SEHYUN AESTHETIC are relatively more affordable, but the specific fees can only be determined after a face-to-face consultation. If you are looking for the experience associated with visiting large hospitals, this place might not be suitable for you; however, if you prefer a quiet and private environment and hope that the doctor will take more time to communicate with you, SEHYUN AESTHETIC is worth considering.
SEHYUN AESTHETIC Plastic Surgery
BeautsGO 認證
📍 4th Floor, Medical Bank, 620-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seo
ul
🚇 Near Sins
a Station
🕐 Monday to Friday: 10:00-18:00 / Saturday: 10:00-16:00
| Recommended projects | Reference price |
|---|---|
| Double eyelid surgery | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. |
| Rhinoplasty | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. |
| Facial Lifting | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. |
A comparative summary of three hospitals
For the sake of providing everyone with an easy way to compare these options, I have prepared a simple table:
| dimension | Kimjongseo Plastic Surgery | Ruby Plastic Surgery | SEHYUN AESTHETIC Plastic Surgery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Established and experienced | Young and fashionable | Small but exquisite |
| Areas of expertise | Facial contours, nose | Eye repair, liposuction | Eyebrows, nose, anti-aging treatments |
| geographical location | Apgujeong | Sinsa Station | Sinsa-dong |
| Chinese-language services | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
My personal recommendation
If I were to consider undergoing contour surgery (on the zygomatic bone or the angle of the mandible), I would give priority to kimjongseo – after all, his more than 20 years of experience are undeniable. For eye and nose Revision rhinoplasty or liposuction and body shaping procedures, Ruby’s skills and services are excellent, and the prices are transparent. If I am looking for good value for money and personalized services, SEHYUN AESTHETIC is also a great option.
Ultimately, there is no absolute good or bad when it comes to plastic surgery; it’s all about whether it is suitable for you. I strongly recommend that those who have the means go for a personal consultation, communicate extensively with the doctor, and see the actual facilities of the hospital before making a decision. After all, this involves performing surgery on your own face, so it’s always wise to be cautious.
How to make a reservation through BeautsGO
Finally, I would like to share with you my booking methods. For these three hospitals, I made all my bookings through the BeautsGO platform. The advantage is that I didn’t have to contact each hospital individually; the platform helped me connect with the Chinese-speaking managers, which greatly improved the efficiency of communication. In addition, they provided various reminders before and after the procedures, which was really considerate for those going to South Korea for plastic surgery for the first time.
The reservation process is also very simple: simply download the BeautsGO APP or follow the WeChat mini-program, and search for the name of the hospital to access detailed information and the reservation page. The platform also offers various promotional activities from time to time, so it is recommended to consult the customer service before making a reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How far in advance should one make reservations at these three hospita
ls?
A: It is recommended to reserve at least 1-2 weeks in advance; during peak periods (on weekends or holidays), it may be necessary to book even earlier. Making reservations through BeautsGO usually ensures more rapid confirmation of available timeslots.
Q2: Is there a fee for in-person consulta
tions?
A: In-person consultations are free at all three hospitals. However, additional costs may apply if CT scans or other tests are required.
Q3: How long can one stay in South Korea after the procedure?
A: It is
generally recommended to stay for at least 7–10 days after the surgery and return home only after the stitches have been removed. The specific duration depends on the type of surgery; your doctor will provide detailed advice during the consultation.
Q4: Which of these three hospitals offers the best value for money?
A: In
terms of price alone, SEHYUN AESTHETIC is relatively affordable; considering the overall value for money, Ruby boasts transparent pricing and excellent service. However, the concept of “best value for money” is subjective, so it is recommended to make your own judgment after a personal consultation, based on the doctor’s recommendations and the quoted prices.
Q5: What if I don’t speak Korean?
A: All three h
ospitals have Chinese-speaking supervisors or translation services available, so communication should not be a problem. Of course, it would be more efficient to prepare a list of the questions you want to ask in advance.
Disclaimer
This article is merely a personal experience and sharing, and does not constitute medical advice. Plastic surgery carries certain risks; therefore, it is essential to choose a reputable medical institution, communicate thoroughly before the procedure, and make an informed decision. If you have any health concerns, please consult a professional doctor.
