Most people start by googling when planning for medical tourism. It’s a quick and easy way to get the information you want, but the catch is that the source is from the internet. There’s a lot of unreliable information out in the net. It’s important to gather information over time and obtain reliable data through medical fairs, tourism expos, and local travel agencies. Korea’s medical technology and facilities are far more advanced than you might think. However, since it can be hard to make an appointment with popular hospitals and doctors, it’s better not to be fixated on a specific hospital or doctor when gathering information.

It’s crucial to choose a hospital that has the ability to treat you or your family’s illnesses or symptoms. Large hospitals are not always the answer. Although large hospitals have many skilled doctors, top doctors in each department are spread across various hospitals. Unless you have a serious disease like cancer, it might be a better idea to search for medium or small hospitals near your hotel during your stay in Korea.
If you have no idea which hospital has the best facilities and which doctor has the right skills, hiring a service agency that links between patients and hospitals can be one of the easiest ways to find out which ones will suit your needs. Such agencies are likely to meet your needs because they have a long list of hospitals and a lot of information on doctors.
Communicating with the doctor is very important. Check if there’s a coordinator (interpreter) who can accurately convey your opinions and the doctor’s diagnosis. Such coordinators are hired by either the hospital or agency. You don’t have to worry too much about the medical equipment or the hospital interiors; just about every hospital is more equipped than you might expect.

Simply put, it’s the practicality of it. Medical costs are relatively higher than those in Thailand, which is one of Korea’s major competitors in Asia, but Korea has more advanced medical technology, cutting-edge medical equipment, and high-quality services. These are some of the reasons why patients seeking for satisfactory treatment tend to choose Korea.

Immigration control is very restricted for some countries. It is due to the increasing number of people who enter the country for the purpose of tourism or employment but end up staying in the country illegally. At the immigration checkpoint, it’s important to clearly state your purpose of visit, the name of the hotel you will stay, and the hospital you plan to visit. If you have a medical tourism visa, it will help to show it. However, the issuance rate for this type of visa is quite low. So if you hire a local agency for this purpose, make sure to check its capability.

In 2003, the cost of living in Seoul was ranked as the ninth highest in the world, more expensive than Tokyo, Japan, or Dubai. For example, a liter of milk is about KRW 2,900 in Korea, whereas it’s KRW 900 in Japan, KRW 588 in the UK (low fat), and KRW 1,058 in the U.S. (fat free). If you're staying in Seoul, you don’t need to worry too much because there are various types of accommodations other than hotels to choose from, depending on your budget.

Today, people are more interested in skincare than cosmetic surgery. They prefer natural skin and clear facial lines over drastic changes you can get after a surgery. Laser lifting is the most popular form of skincare treatment. Ultrasonic laser lifting is effective for skin elasticity and facial contours, while radio-frequency laser lifting works well for sagging skin or double chins. There are various types of lifting equipment, and each has different effects. If you are interested, consult with a plastic surgeon or dermatologist.

Basically, I would recommend you to receive a health check-up and eye treatment. Health checkup is cost-effective and efficient. Cost is a definite advantage, but efficiency is the best part. It only takes 4~5 hours, and you can hear the doctor’s opinion immediately afterwards. Ophthalmology clinics offer high-quality care. You can get a comprehensive eye health check with state-of-the-art equipment on the same day you make an appointment. For a unique experience, try traditional Korean medicine. It differs in the Western counterpart in that the doctor gives you a prescription based on a pulse reading, and treatments often include acupuncture or moxibustion. In addition, Korea has many excellent doctors in all medical fields. Cancer surgeries are frequently performed, and specially gastric and pancreatic cancer surgeries are among the best in the world. There is also a wealth of clinical experience in kidney transplant, with a high success rate of 90%.

Seoul, once a capital of Joseon dynasty for 500 years, is a city where the past and present coexist. Palaces are a great place to get a glimpse of the past. Among the five palaces in Seoul, I recommend you to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site Changdeokgung Palace. If you like shopping, try Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market during the day, and Dongdaemun apparel market and Namsan Seoul Tower at night. For a guided tour, Korea Tourism Organization offers a 24-hour tourist information helpline at 1330, providing a wide range of travel information to domestic and foreign tourists.

In Gangnam, there is a hand sculpture which resembles the signature hand motions of the horse riding dance featured in PSY’s “Gangnam Style.” SM Town & Store offers various goods and videos of SM artists such as Girl’s Generation and Aespa. Many tourists also visited the beauty salon which BTS visited. Korean medical tourism agencies offer a free roaming tour program that is more individualized than a package tour.

The subway is a convenient means to get around Seoul. Take the Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Munsan, transfer to the train to Imjingak Peace Park, and see the reality of the division of North and South Korea. Subway Line 1 to Suwon will take you to the best fortress in Korea, while the subway line to Incheon will take you to a sea with a beautiful sunset.