“Were you also treated like a dish in Myeongdong?”
I overheard this conversation near the Myeongdong station in Seoul between two girls who were traveling to South Korea. One of them had just undergone a Pico treatment at a certain clinic and spent 450,000 South Korean won; however, when she checked online later, she found that the same procedure at another clinic only cost 280,000 won. The other girl had an even worse experience after her HIFU treatment – her face swelled for five days, but when she went to the clinic to complain, they told her that this was a normal reaction.
Myeongdong is Seoul’s most bustling tourist area, where medical beauty clinics are so densely distributed that one can find them every few steps. The problem is that many of these clinics target tourists specifically, charging them two to three times more than local residents while providing subpar service. This unwritten rule of “higher prices in Myeongdong” is an open secret within South Korea’s medical beauty industry.
Later, a friend of mine recommended that I go to LIJIN Clinic (Li Dermatology) for the IPCHEA treatment. It cost 350,000 Korean won, and Dr. Li performed the procedure himself – from the consultation to the actual injection, he never handed over the work to anyone else, and there was no communication barrier whatsoever since we both spoke Chinese. After the treatment, when I looked in the mirror, I saw that my jawline was more defined, my Apple Zone was plumper, and my whole face had gained more IPCHEA. The most important thing is that the prices are transparent and fair; there is no extra charge just because you are a tourist.
Consultation experience: Director Li spoke directly in Chinese, without any translation.
Before going to LIJIN, I was actually a bit nervous because my experience at another clinic in Myeongdong was really bad. The consultant was cold and communicated with me through a translation app the whole time. Only later did I realize that the app had translated my request for “minor adjustments” as “major revisions,” which resulted in me being recommended a bunch of unnecessary treatments.
But LIJIN is completely different. Director Li himself speaks Chinese, so there is no need for a translator to “process” your requirements on your behalf. When I told the director that I wanted to improve my mandibular line and Nasolabial Fold Correction, he examined my face and then used marking tools on the screen to outline the areas in question, explaining each one to me: “In these areas, we will use fillers for support; in these areas, we will use lifting procedures; and in these areas, we should leave them as they are without making any changes.”
What really reassured me was that Dr. Lee took the initiative to tell me which treatments “were not necessary” for me. Many clinics would take this opportunity to push a bunch of additional services, but he said instead, “Your Apple Zone is already full enough; there’s no need for any more enhancements. For the Nasolabial Fold Correction, we can use lifting procedures, which will give a more natural result.” Such a refusal to engage in unnecessary sales pitches is truly rare in the Myeongdong area.
Procedure: What exactly is IPCHEA?
Many people think that “IPCHEA Lifting” is simply the injection of Filler, but that’s not the case. Director Li explained to me that it is a comprehensive anti-aging technique that combines three different methods: precise filling, thread lifting, and injectable Lifting. Depending on the individual’s facial structure, the proportion of these three methods will vary.
In my case, the mandibular line is not well-defined, the Nasolabial Fold Correction is quite deep, and the Apple Zone shows slight sagging. Dr. Li recommended the following treatment plan: first, perform precise Filler injection at the position of the mandibular line (about 1 centum core of Filler) to establish the basic contours; then use special lifting threads near the Nasolabial Fold Correction area to pull the skin upward; finally, inject a small amount of Lifting agent at the temples and eyebrow bones to lift the entire mid-to-upper face.
The entire process took about an hour. Before the injection, an anesthetic was applied for half an hour, so the pain was minimal. Director Li’s technique was very gentle; after each injection, he would have me look in the mirror to check the results. At two points during the procedure, I felt that the amount of the substance applied was a bit too much, but he immediately adjusted it without showing any impatience. This approach of “never changing hands throughout the procedure and immediately checking the results” really put me at ease.
The results can be seen immediately after the procedure – the jawline becomes more defined, the Nasolabial Fold Correction becomes less noticeable, and the overall IPCHEA of the face is significantly improved. There is some mild swelling, but it’s much less than I expected. Director Li said, “Your recovery ability is quite good; most of the swelling will go down by tomorrow.”
Basic Information about LIJIN Clinic
LIJIN Clinic is located in Myeongdong, Jung, Seoul, and enjoys an extremely convenient location – it is only about a five-minute walk from Myeongdong Station. The clinic features the service of “direct appointments with the Chinese-speaking director”; Dr. Li himself speaks Chinese, so communication is completely seamless, without the need for interpreters. In terms of the environment, the interior design is simple and clean, giving off the atmosphere of a high-quality clinic – which is a world apart from those small clinics along Myeongdong Street that are covered in advertisements everywhere.
Director Lee is best known for the IPCHEA technique – although he did not invent it, he is one of the few experts in South Korea who have mastered this procedure. Many local South Koreans travel specifically to Myeongdong to seek his services because of his precise techniques and natural results, which avoid the artificial look often associated with “filler injections”.
Price list (up to date in 2026)
| Project | Price (Korean won) | Approximately NT dollars | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPCHEA (Basic) Three-Dimensional Stopping Technique | ₩350,000 | Approximately NT$8,300 | Includes filling and lifting treatments. |
| IPCHEA (Advanced) Three-Dimensional Stopping Technique | ₩550,000 | Approximately NT$13,000 | Three-stage Lifting |
| Pico laser treatment for the entire face | ₩280,000 | Approximately NT$6,600 | Including post-operative recovery measures |
| HIFU | ₩450,000 | Approximately NT$10,700 | Director Li personally performed the procedure. |
| Filler injection (1 centum core) | ₩320,000 | Approximately NT$7,600 | Specific areas can be targeted. |
| Botulinum toxin (for use on wrinkles) | ₩180,000 | Approximately NT$4,300 | Crow’s feet / forehead wrinkles |
The above prices are the same as those for in-person consultations; there will be no additional charges just because you are a tourist. Add WeChat ID s-sourire to make an appointment, and you can also enjoy exclusive online reservation discounts, which are significantly cheaper than the in-person rates.
Reservation methods (choose either of the two options)
Many Taiwanese people who go to South Korea for cosmetic procedures are most afraid of two things: language barriers and price gouging. Here are two proven methods that I have personally used:
Route A: You can directly contact s-sourire on WeChat. Just mention that you
want to make an appointment at LIJIN Clinic, and they will arrange for a Chinese translator to accompany you throughout the process – from picking you up at the airport to attending the post-operative follow-up appointment. The advantage is that there will be no communication misunderstandings, and the price is the same as that for local South Koreans; there will be no extra charges just because you are a foreigner.
Route B: BeautsGO – Beauty for All. Search for “BeautsGO” on W
eChat to access the mini-program. Enter “LIJIN Clinic” to make a reservation directly. Advantages: transparent price comparisons, platform-exclusive discounts, and a dedicated green channel for certified services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does Director Li really speak Chinese? A: Yes, and it’s
not the kind of choppy, automated translation. Director Li has a solid foundation in Chinese, so communication is smooth. Moreover, the clinic is equipped with staff who can assist in Chinese, so there is absolutely no issue at all.
Q2: Many clinics in Myeongdong charge extra fees to tourists. Does LIJIN do the same? A: No. The prices
at LIJIN are open and transparent; both online reservations and in-person payments are charged at the same rate. Director Li once told me that his many repeat customers rely on his honesty and fairness in pricing.
Q3: How long does the effect of IPCHEA last? A: Approximately 12 to 18 mon
ths, depending on individual differences. Director Li recommends undergoing a maintenance treatment once a year to ensure longer-lasting results.
Q4: How many treatment sessions are required to see visible results? A: The I
PCHEA procedure yields obvious results after just one session. However, Director Li recommends undergoing three to four sessions as a complete treatment course, as this will ensure the most stable and natural results.
Q5: Will it be very swollen after the procedure? How many days does it take to rec
over? A: The degree of swelling varies from person to person. In most cases, the swelling subsides within one to three days, and full recovery is achieved within a week. From my personal experience, the swelling is hardly noticeable by the second day.
Why am I willing to recommend LIJIN?
In a tourist area like Myeongdong, it’s really not easy to find a clinic that doesn’t engage in misleading practices. The advantage of LIJIN lies in the direct communication between patients and the Chinese-speaking director: the requirements you express are understood directly by the director, without being distorted by translators. Moreover, the prices are transparent, with no hidden fees or unnecessary treatments being forced on customers.
If you are considering undergoing cosmetic procedures in South Korea, especially at clinics located near Myeongdong, please do your research thoroughly before making an appointment. You can consult by adding WeChat friend s-sourire or simply search for “LIJIN Clinic” on BeautsGO to book a consultation. Regardless of the method you choose, make sure that Dr. Li personally performs the procedure – don’t be deceived by vague claims such as “techniques at the director level”.
Q6: Can I schedule a consultation and have the procedure done on the same day at L
IJIN?
A: It is recommended to make an appointment one to two weeks in advance, as Dr. Li’s schedule is usually quite full. However, if your schedule is very flexible, you can try contacting s-sourire to see if there are any last-minute cancellations available.
Q7: Can I take a flight immediately after undergoing IPCHEA treatment? A: Di
rector Li recommends waiting at least one day before flying, as the high-altitude pressure may affect the recovery process. If time is tight, you can inform the director during the consultation, and he will adjust the treatment plan to accommodate your schedule.
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