← Back to directory
🇰🇷

South Korea

Medical Tourism Guide

The world's plastic surgery capital. Seoul's Gangnam district has 500+ clinics - the highest concentration globally. Korea performed 1.17 million foreign medical tourist procedures in 2024.

1.17M foreign patients (2024)
Medical Tourists
30-60%
Typical Savings
13-15 hours
From US
Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Dental
Top Procedures

Cost Comparison: US vs. South Korea

ProcedureUS PriceSouth Korea Price
Rhinoplasty$8,000-15,000$3,000-8,000
Double Eyelid Surgery$4,000-6,000$1,500-3,000
Facial Contouring (V-line)$15,000-25,000$8,000-15,000
Full Face Lift$15,000-30,000$8,000-15,000

* Prices are estimates based on 2024 data. Actual costs vary by clinic, complexity, and package inclusions.

Why South Korea?

  • ✓Global leader in plastic surgery innovation and technique
  • ✓Highest per-capita plastic surgery rate in the world - normalized and refined
  • ✓2,700+ plastic surgeons for 51M population (highest density globally)
  • ✓Advanced technology and meticulous attention to natural-looking results
  • ✓K-beauty culture means dermatology/skincare is world-class
  • ✓Foreign patients spent $770M on plastic surgery in Korea (2024)

Things to Consider

  • !Longest flight from US (13-15 hours)
  • !Savings less dramatic than other destinations (30-60% vs 70-80%)
  • !Language barrier can be significant outside tourist areas
  • !Beauty standards may differ from Western preferences - be specific about goals
  • !Gangnam clinics 10-30% pricier than other areas due to premium positioning
  • !Some clinics charge extra for international patients (translation services)

Where to Go in South Korea

Seoul (Gangnam)

The global epicenter of plastic surgery. 814 plastic surgery clinics in Gangnam alone. More cosmetic procedures per square mile than anywhere on Earth.

Tip: Stay in Gangnam or Sinsa for walking distance to clinics. Most offer English coordinators.

Plastic SurgeryDermatologyRhinoplastyFacial Contouring

Seoul (Myeongdong)

Shopping district with many dermatology and skincare clinics. Popular for non-surgical treatments.

Tip: Combine treatment with K-beauty shopping. Many clinics cater to tourists.

DermatologySkincareNon-Surgical

Practical Information

Visa

Not required for US citizens (up to 90 days)

Currency

Korean Won (KRW). Cards widely accepted. 10% VAT refundable at airport.

Language

Korean. English limited outside tourist areas. Clinics provide coordinators.

Timezone

GMT+9 (13-14 hours ahead of US)

Insurance

Travel medical insurance recommended. Recovery typically 1-2 weeks.

Browse Procedures in South Korea

plastic surgery

Vetted South Korea Providers

18 providers researched and verified by VitalityScout.

Minish Dental Hospital

Seoul (Gangnam)

MINISH veneersDental implantsCrowns and prostheticsOrthodontics
Licensed Korean dental specialistsKorea Ministry of Health-registered dental hospital

$500-1,200/veneer

vs $1,000-3,000/veneer in US

Verified 2026-06-11

Dentique Dental Clinic

Seoul (Gangnam)

Dental implantsSame-day implantsVeneers (no-prep and e.max)Same-day crowns
Director: UC Berkeley + Seoul National University Graduate School of DentistryLicensed Korean dental specialists

$1,000-2,500/implant

vs $3,000-5,000/implant in US

Verified 2026-06-11

Yonsei Good Day Dental Clinic

Seoul (Gangnam)

Dental implantsBone graftingInvisalign / orthodonticsVeneers
Invisalign Black Diamond providerDr. Jung Chul Park: ITI Korea Fellow, Andre Schroeder Research Prize recipientDoctors with visiting appointments noted at Harvard, UCLA, UCL

$1,000-2,500/implant

vs $3,000-5,000/implant in US

Verified 2026-06-11

JK Plastic Surgery Center

Seoul (Apgujeong)

RhinoplastyDouble eyelidFacial contouringBreast surgery
JCI accredited

Varies by procedure

vs US prices

Verified 2024-12-01

JW Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Gangnam)

RhinoplastyFacial contouringEye surgeryBreast surgery
Zero complications in 22 years (reported)

Varies by procedure

Verified 2024-12-01

Banobagi Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Gangnam)

Facial contouringRhinoplastyEye surgeryAnti-aging

Varies by procedure

Verified 2024-12-01

ID Hospital

Seoul (Gangnam)

Facial bone contouringTwo-jaw surgeryRhinoplastyEye surgery

Varies by procedure

Verified 2024-12-01

GRAND Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Apgujeong/Cheongdam)

RhinoplastyFacial contouringBreast surgeryBody contouring

Varies by procedure

Verified 2024-12-01

JK Plastic Surgery Center

Seoul (Gangnam)

RhinoplastyDouble eyelid surgeryFacial contouringJaw/two-jaw surgery
Accredited by Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare for foreign patients (Medical Korea / KAHF)Korean board-certified plastic surgeons

$3,000-9,000

vs $8,000-15,000 for comparable rhinoplasty/contouring in US

Verified 2026-06-11

Banobagi Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Gangnam)

RhinoplastyRevision rhinoplastyDouble eyelid surgeryFacial contouring
Korean board-certified plastic surgeonsDirectors trained at Seoul National University College of Medicine

$3,000-9,000

vs $8,000-15,000 for comparable procedures in US

Verified 2026-06-11

ID Hospital

Seoul (Gangnam)

Facial bone contouringV-line / square jaw reductionCheekbone (zygoma) reductionTwo-jaw / orthognathic surgery
Korean board-certified plastic surgeonsAcademic collaboration with Seoul National University Bundang Hospital noted

$6,000-20,000

vs $20,000-40,000+ for orthognathic/facial bone work in US

Verified 2026-06-11

VIEW Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Gangnam)

RhinoplastyDouble eyelid surgeryFacial contouring (V-line, zygoma, jaw)Breast augmentation/reduction/lift
Korean board-certified plastic surgeons (13+ on staff)In-house anesthesiologists

$3,000-9,000

vs $8,000-15,000 for comparable procedures in US

Verified 2026-06-11

Wonjin Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Seocho)

Double eyelid surgeryRhinoplastyFacial bone contouring (V-line, cheekbone, two-jaw)Breast augmentation
Designated an Outstanding Medical Tourism Facility (2025) by the South Korean Ministry of JusticeKorean board-certified plastic surgeons

Estimated $1,500-$18,000+ depending on procedure (eyelid surgery from ~$1,500; rhinoplasty ~$3,000-$9,000; facial contouring ~$8,000-$15,000)

vs $3,000-$30,000 in the US for comparable procedures

Verified 2026-06-11

AB Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Gangnam)

Double eyelid surgery and ptosis correctionRhinoplasty and revision rhinoplastyFacial contouring (jaw, chin)Breast augmentation
KAHF Accreditation as a Medical Institution for International Patients (2025-2029), South Korean Ministry of Health and WelfareKorean board-certified plastic surgeons

Estimated $1,500-$15,000+ by procedure (double eyelid from ~$1,500; rhinoplasty ~$3,000-$9,000)

vs $3,000-$25,000 in the US for comparable procedures

Verified 2026-06-11

The Line Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Sinsa/Gangnam)

Eye surgery and under-eye fat repositioningRhinoplasty and nose contouringFacial contouring and V-lineBreast augmentation, reduction and lifting
Korean board-certified plastic surgeonsJCI accreditation referenced on clinic materials (verify current status directly)

Estimated $1,500-$15,000+ by procedure; boutique clinics in Sinsa/Apgujeong often price 20-40% above Gangnam Station for the same work

vs $3,000-$30,000 in the US for comparable procedures

Verified 2026-06-11

Girin Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Gangnam)

Eye surgery (double eyelid, ptosis, canthoplasty)Rhinoplasty and deviated-nose correctionFacial contouring (V-line, zygoma, two-jaw)Breast augmentation, lift and reduction
Korea International Medical Association (KIMA) memberKorean board-certified plastic surgeons

Estimated $1,500-$15,000+ by procedure (double eyelid from ~$1,500; rhinoplasty ~$3,000-$9,000; V-line ~$8,000-$15,000)

vs $3,000-$25,000 in the US for comparable procedures

Verified 2026-06-11

Hyundai Aesthetics Plastic Surgery

Seoul (Gangnam)

Eye surgery and revisionCanthoplastyRhinoplastyFacial contouring
Korean board-certified plastic surgeons

Estimated $1,500-$15,000+ by procedure (eyelid from ~$1,500; rhinoplasty ~$3,000-$9,000)

vs $3,000-$25,000 in the US for comparable procedures

Verified 2026-06-11

SHE'S Plastic Surgery

Busan

Eye surgery (double eyelid, ptosis)Facial wrinkle and anti-aging surgeryFaceliftFacial contouring
Designated a leading institution for attracting foreign patients in Busan (2022-2025)Recognized as an excellent foreigner-attraction institution by the South Korean Ministry of JusticeKorean board-certified plastic surgeons

Estimated $1,500-$15,000+ by procedure; Busan clinics often price below comparable Seoul Gangnam clinics

vs $5,000-$30,000 in the US for facial/anti-aging procedures

Verified 2026-06-11

Ready to Explore South Korea?

Compare vetted providers and read real patient experiences.

View All ProvidersMedical Travel Insurance Guide