Specialty Highlights: High Accessibility – Plastic Surgery

Korean medical institutions offer fast and convenient healthcare services. With the number of hospital beds per 1,000 people far exceeding the OECD average, patients can easily access medical care across the country. Through hospital websites or mobile apps, they can check doctors’ credentials, treatment reviews, and costs in advance—and even make reservations online. Experience world-class medical services in Korea, where trust and convenience come together.

A doctor consulting with a patient ⓒclipartkorea

Why Korean Plastic Surgery Stands Out?

Korean plastic surgery clinics excel not only in popular procedures like double eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty but also in advanced operations such as facial contouring, liposuction, and breast augmentation. They’re also at the forefront of reconstructive surgery—using stem cell therapy and 3D printing technology to restore areas damaged by illness, accidents, or congenital conditions. Despite the high level of skill and technology, the cost is roughly one-third of that in the United States, and patient satisfaction is exceptionally high. Each year, countless international patients visit Korea for surgery—in 2024 alone, around 665,000 out of 1.17 million foreign patients received treatment at plastic surgery clinics.¹
1) Source: 2024 Foreign Patient Attraction Statistical Analysis Report, Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI)

What are the most popular plastic surgeries among foreign patients in Korea?

Everyone’s eyes have their own unique features ⓒclipartkorea

• ① Double Eyelid Surgery

  This surgery creates a crease on the eyelid, making the eyes look larger and more defined. While it’s often done for cosmetic reasons, it can also correct conditions like ptosis or entropion. There are two main methods: the non-incisional (buried suture) technique, which heals quickly and leaves almost no visible scar but may loosen over time, and the incisional technique, which involves cutting the eyelid to create a crease and removing excess fat or muscle if needed. The non-incisional method works best for those with thin eyelids and little sagging, while the incisional method is recommended for thicker eyelids, more fat or drooping skin, or for patients needing eye-shape correction or revision surgery.

• ② Rhinoplasty

  Rhinoplasty improves the shape, height, and length of the nose using either the patient’s own cartilage or an implant. There are two main approaches: closed rhinoplasty, where the incision is made inside the nostrils, leaving almost no visible scar, and open rhinoplasty, which involves making a small incision along the tissue strip (columella) between the nostrils to lift the nasal skin for better precision. Closed rhinoplasty is ideal for simpler procedures such as refining the nasal tip, raising the bridge, or narrowing the nostrils. Open rhinoplasty is better suited for more detailed corrections, like adjusting the overall shape from the bridge to the tip or fixing a deviated or humped nose.

A patient preparing for a lifting procedure ⓒClipartkorea

• ① Endoscopic Forehead Lift

  This surgery lifts sagging brows and forehead skin caused by aging. Small incisions are made along the hairline, where they’re easily hidden, and an endoscope is used to guide the procedure—which minimizes scarring and discomfort. Because the incisions are smaller than in traditional lifts, swelling and bruising are reduced, and recovery is quicker. Most patients can return to normal activities in about a week, though full recovery, including scalp sensation, may take a few weeks.

Liposuction equipment ⓒBIO Plastic Surgery Clinic, Hospital Director Hyung-bo Sim

• ① Liposuction

  Liposuction removes excess fat from areas like the abdomen, love handles, and underarms. The fat is first softened using suction-assisted, ultrasound, or laser techniques, then carefully removed through a thin cannula. While fat cells are permanently removed, weight can still return if healthy habits aren’t maintained. Because liposuction is a surgical procedure, some swelling and bruising—usually lasting about a month—are common. You may also experience temporary numbness or mild unevenness in the skin as you heal.

Ready to show off your new confidence?

Discover the perfect places to celebrate—and capture—the new you.

Byukchoji Gardens ⓒTravel Leader 14th Term, Yu-Bin Lee

Byukchoji Gardens ⓒVISITKOREA

This arboretum covers 120,000 pyeong (about 396,000 square meters) and is home to six themed gardens and 27 others inspired by both Eastern and Western styles. Over a thousand plant species bloom and fade with the changing seasons, creating a colorful landscape year-round. Inside, there’s an exhibition hall that tells the story of Byukchoji, a photo gallery capturing its beauty through the four seasons, and a flower shop where you can buy blooms and plants. You might also spot familiar scenes from popular dramas like Vincenzo and Descendants of the Sun, which were filmed here.

Naksan Park ⓒVISITKOREA

Naksan Park ⓒSeoul Tourism Organization

This spot was featured in the Netflix animation KPop Demon Hunters, where the main characters, Rumi and Jinu, walk along the Seoul City Wall. The old stone pathway and sweeping views of the city create a special atmosphere where history and modern life meet. Nearby, the Dongdaemun section of the Seoul City Wall and the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) offer a chance to experience both the old and the new sides of Seoul.