🏝️ Is it really worth getting cosmetic procedures on Jeju Island? – A detailed record of my field visits to the Liandong and Laohengdong shopping areas
Whenever someone mentions “going to South Korea for cosmetic procedures,” everyone immediately thinks of Seoul. However, Jeju Island also offers numerous Dermatology clinics, with several significant advantages: no need for a visa (30-day visa-free access), cheaper airfare (a round-trip ticket from Taoyuan to Jeju costs around 3,000–5,000 New Taiwan dollars including taxes), and the opportunity to enjoy a vacation after the treatment.
Last month, I visited Jeju Island and took advantage of the opportunity to get hyaluronic acid injections and “black box” treatments. Overall, the experience was quite good, but there were also some pitfalls that I would like to warn about. This article summarizes the current situation of medical beauty services in Yeondong (the center of Jeju City) and Old Hyeongdong (the new commercial district).
📱 Want to learn more about medical beauty clinics on Jeju Island? Add WeChat ID s-sourire, and we can help you find local partner clinics. You can also make reservations in advance, so you don’t have to queue on-site.
📍 The two major medical beauty districts on Jeju Island: Yeondong vs. Old Hyeongdong
Yeondong Business District — The heart of Jeju City, where the highest concentrat
ion of clinics can be found
🚇 Approximately a 15-minute drive from Jeju Airport | 🏨 Numerous hotels in
the vicinity
Yeondong serves as Jeju Island’s commercial hub, featuring restaurants, duty-free shops, and Olive Young stores. There are around 15 to 20 Dermatology clinics in this area, ranging in size from small individual practices to medium-sized chains. Most of these clinics do not provide Chinese translation services; it is recommended to book translation assistance in advance through BeautsGO.
Lao Hengdong Business District (노형동) – An emerging business district with numerous
large-scale clinics
🚇 Approximately a 10-minute drive from Ryeon-dong | 🏨 Located near E-Mart
Lao Hen
gdong is a newly developed business district on Jeju Island in recent years. It features several large Dermatology clinics, such as Now Medi Clinic Jeju Branch, which are equipped with modern facilities. However, the range of dining and shopping options is somewhat limited compared to Ryeon-dong.
💰 A comprehensive overview of medical beauty prices on Jeju Island: Are they really cheaper than in Seoul?
| Project | Average price on Jeju Island | Average price in Seoul | Price difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrofiller injections (basic) | ₩60,000 to 100,000 | ₩80,000 to 150,000 | 20-30% cheaper |
| Rejuran PN | ₩280,000 to ₩400,000 | ₩300,000 to ₩500,000 | 5-15% cheaper |
| Pico laser | ₩80,000 to 150,000 | ₩100,000 to 200,000 | 15-25% cheaper |
| Thermage FLX | ₩250,000 to ₩450,000 | ₩300,000 to 600,000 | 10-20% cheaper |
| Juvelook filling | ₩280,000 to 450,000 | ₩300,000 to ₩500,000 | 5-15% cheaper |
💡 Conclusion: Indeed, Jeju Island is 10–30% cheaper than Seoul, but the difference is not as significant as one might think. When considering airfare and accommodation, the total cost can be roughly the same in either place. The real advantages of Jeju Island lie in its vacation experience and the convenience of visa-free access, rather than just the price.
🏥 Practical experience at Medi Clinic Jeju Branch: The top choice for medical beauty during vacations
This time, I had the glow injection procedure along with the “black box” treatment at the Jinzhou branch of Now Medi Clinic. Overall experience:
Environment: ✅ Clean and bright, with a modern and minimalist design. The waiting area is equipped with tea and free WiFi. It is only a 5-minute drive from the Liandong shopping district, and there are free parking lots in the vicinity.
⚠️ The Chinese translation is only available during specific hours; it is recommended to confirm the translation time in advance when making an appointment. When I went, it was available, and the communication during the in-person consultation went smoothly. If the translation is not available, you can use the Papago translation app as a backup.
Doctor: The director is a local from Jeju Island and has extensive experience in performing hyaluronic acid injections and “black box” treatments. He injects the substance very quickly; after the treatment, I only had two small bruises, which disappeared within two days.
Price: Hyaluronic acid injection ₩70,000 + “Black box” treatment ₩320,000 = ₩390,000 (package price), which is approximately 15% cheaper than in Seoul. Add WeChat ID s-sourire for more discounts.
📋 Pre-departure checklist for medical beauty treatments in Jeju Island
Going to Jeju Island for cosmetic procedures is somewhat different from going to Seoul; these details deserve attention:
- ✈️ Flight: There is a direct flight from Taoyuan to Jeju that takes approximately 1.5 hours. The cost of low-cost flights, including taxes, ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 Taiwan dollars – which is much cheaper than flying to Seoul.
- 🏨 Accommodation: It is recommended to stay in the Liantong area (such as the Jeju Lotte City Hotel or the Liantong Best Western). Both the clinic and Olive Young are within a 10-minute walk from these hotels.
- 💱 Currency exchange: There are far fewer currency exchange offices on Jeju Island compared to Seoul. It is recommended to exchange Korean won at Taoyuan Airport or the Bank of Taiwan in advance. There is a Woori Bank in Lin Dong where you can also exchange currency.
- 📱 Translation: Most clinics do not provide Chinese translation services! It is essential to book translation services in advance or arrange them through BeautsGO.
- 🚗 Transportation: Public transportation on Jeju Island is not very convenient, so it is recommended to rent a car or take a taxi. The cost from the airport to Yeon-dong is approximately ₩15,000-20,000.
⚠️ Potential disadvantages of medical aesthetics on Jeju Island
⚠️ 1. Limited number of clinics available: There are only 15–20 Dermatology clinics on Jeju Island, which is far fewer than the hundreds in Seoul. If your specific needs require the use of certain brands of equipment, it may be difficult to find a clinic that can meet those requirements.
⚠️ 2. Limited high-end options: Clinics on Jeju Island are generally small in scale, and may not be equipped with high-end treatments such as Thermage FLX or InMode. However, basic procedures like hyaluronic acid injections, Pico treatments, and “black box” therapies are usually available.
⚠️ 3. Inconvenience in post-operative follow-up: After returning to Taiwan, it can be very difficult to fly back for a follow-up appointment if any issues arise. It is recommended to choose a clinic that offers online post-operative follow-up services, or to seek remote consultation through WeChat’s s-sourire platform.
🏝️ Recommendations for medical beauty treatments and travel itineraries in Jeju Island
If your itinerary covers 4 days and 3 nights, it is recommended to arrange it in the following way:
Day 1: Fly from Taoyuan to Jeju → Check into the Best Western Hotel in Yeon-dong (just a 5-minute walk from the clinic) → Have a face consultation at Now Medi in the afternoon → In the evening, shop for post-treatment products at Olive Young stores in Yeon-dong. There are three Olive Young stores in Yeon-dong, with the largest one located next to Lotte Mart.
Day 2: In the morning, undergo treatment (hyaluronic acid injection + “black box” therapy) → In the afternoon, return to the hotel to rest and apply ice packs → In the evening, go to Black Pig City to eat black pork (a must-try dish in Jeju Island; there are many restaurants there, so you can choose any one without worry).
Day 3: Wear a hat and mask when going out → Visit Mount Sunrise in Chengshan (a World Natural Heritage site with breathtaking views) → Stop by Shedi Cocoa (there are many cafes where you can take shelter from the rain and rest) → Remember to protect yourself from the sun!
Day 4: In the morning, visit Longtouyan; then make final purchases at the duty-free shops; in the afternoon, take a flight back to Taoyuan.
💡 Transportation: It is recommended to rent a car when visiting Jeju Island. The cost of using a Kcar for one day is approximately ₩40,000–50,000, including insurance, which is much more affordable than taking a taxi. Taiwanese drivers can obtain an international driving license in South Korea without taking any additional tests.
🏨 Accommodation tips for Jeju Island: Liandong is the commercial center of Jeju Island and also the most convenient area for medical beauty treatments. I recommend the following hotels:
- 🏨 Jinzhou Lotte City Hotel (Liandong): ¥100,000–150,000 per night; it takes only 5 minutes to walk from the hotel to Now Medi and Olive Young.
- 🏨 Best Western Jizhou Hotel (Liandong): ¥80,000–120,000 per night – excellent value for money
- 🏠 Airbnb Homestays: There are many Korean-style homestays in the Yeon-dong area, ranging in price from ⩺940,000 to ⩺80,000 per night – an excellent way to experience local life.
💡 Exchange tips: The exchange rates at money changers on Jeju Island are much lower than those in Seoul! It is recommended to exchange Korean won at Taoyuan Airport or the Bank of Taiwan in advance. There is a Woori Bank in Lin Dong where you can exchange currency, but the exchange rate may not be the best. If you forget to exchange money, most clinics and duty-free shops accept credit cards (an additional 3% fee will be charged for overseas Visa/Master cards).
📱 If you have any questions regarding your medical beauty itinerary in Jeju Island, you can add WeChat ID s-sourire for consultation. They have consultants who specialize in providing services for Jeju Island.
❓ FAQ on Common Issues in Medical Aesthetics on Jeju Island
Q: How long can one stay on Jeju Island without a visa?
A: W
ith a Taiwanese passport, you can stay for 30 days without a visa, which is sufficient to complete a full treatment course, including the recovery period.
Q: Do clinics on Jeju Island provide authenticity verification for pro
ducts?
A: All legitimate clinics do. However, smaller clinics may carry the risk of selling counterfeit products; it is recommended to schedule appointments through clinics verified by BeautsGO to ensure product authenticity.
Q: Can I go to a duty-free shop after having cosmetic procedu
res?
A: You can go 2-3 hours after undergoing basic treatments such as hyaluronic acid injections or Pico treatments, as long as you wear a hat and a mask. However, it is recommended to rest on the same day if you have undergone Thermage or Juvelook treatments.
🌊 Tourism Season and Cosmetic Surgery on Jeju Island: The best tourist seasons for Jeju Island are from April to June and from September to November, when the climate is mild and suitable for outdoor activities. However, these are also the busiest periods for cosmetic surgery clinics, so it is recommended to make reservations two weeks in advance. July and August are the summer months, when it is hot and easy to sweat, which can hinder recovery after surgery. In winter, from December to February, the winds are strong, but there are fewer tourists, making it easier to get a reservation. Moreover, after the procedure, you can enjoy hot springs indoors (there are several excellent hot spring hotels on Jeju Island). You can add WeChat friend s-sourire to inquire about cosmetic surgery and hot spring tour packages in Jeju Island.
🚗 Car rental guide for Jeju Island: If you hold a Taiwanese driver’s license, you can exchange it for an international driver’s license at the post office and then rent a car on Jeju Island. The daily rental fee is approximately ₩40,000–60,000, including insurance, which is much more cost-effective than taking taxis everywhere. The roads on Jeju Island are in excellent condition; they are wide and mostly consist of flat roads with few hills. Note that South Korea uses the right-side driving system (just like Taiwan), and the speed limit is 60 km/h. If you don’t want to rent a car, you can also use TADA for taxi services – it’s the equivalent of Uber in South Korea.
Disclaimer: This article is based on personal experience sharing. Prices and results may vary depending on individual physical conditions and the clinic providing the service. For specific treatment plans, it is recommended to consult a doctor in person.
