Actual reviews of Barog in Gangnam: A detailed analysis of Kim Yong-hyun, the representative director,’s method of ligament reinforcement – this is the real technology that will help you avoid an uneven face in 2026.

😤 Only after having the filler injected three times and seeing it “slip away” each time did I realize that hollow cheeks cannot be resolved simply by filling them.

“How come your Apple Zone has collapsed in just one month? Weren’t you just having Filler injections last time?” This was the first thing my friend, a Dermatology doctor, said after looking at my face. She knew that I had undergone three consecutive sessions of Hyaluronic Acid Filler injections in Taiwan—each time targeting the Apple Zone and Nasolabial Fold Correction—but the effect lasted for shorter and shorter periods each time. The first time, it lasted about 8 months; the second time, 5 months; and by the third time, it had already receded again within less than 3 months.

She said something to me that I still remember to this day: “Your problem isn’t insufficient capacity, but a weakened structure. If you don’t strengthen the ligaments, no amount of filling will prevent it from slipping again.” These words completely changed my understanding of “ligament reinforcement” treatments. Later, through consultations with s-sourire, they recommended Dr. Kim Yong-hyun, the director of the Barog Gangnam branch — one of the most renowned experts in the field of ligament reinforcement in South Korea. This article recounts my entire experience undergoing ligament reinforcement treatment at Barog.

🏥 What kind of clinic is Barog Gangnam? Who is Kim Yong-hyun?

Barog is a South Korean Dermatology chain brand. Its Gangnam store is located in Yeoksam-dong, just about a 5-minute walk from Gangnam Station on the subway. As the flagship store of Barog, the Gangnam branch boasts the most advanced facilities and the best team of doctors.

President Kim Yong-hyun is the soul of barog. A specialist in Dermatology, he has been practicing medicine in Gangnam for over 15 years. In South Korea’s aesthetic medicine community, his most well-known expertise is “ligament reinforcement.” Many local South Koreans specifically seek his services, and he has received more than 500 reviews on Naver, with an average rating of 4.8. The terms that appear most frequently in these reviews are “precise,” “no unnecessary recommendations,” and “long-lasting results.”

The clinic is clean and bright, and is equipped with a separate V-line operating room and injection room. In terms of facilities, they have an ultrasound guidance system (used for accurately locating the position of ligaments), a skin analysis device (used during consultations), as well as complete first-aid equipment. As someone who has done a lot of research in this area, these are the details that I paid particular attention to.

🧬 How was Kim Yong-hyun’s ligament reinforcement procedure performed? What are the differences compared to regular filler treatments?

During the in-person consultation, Director Jin first used ultrasound to scan the structure of my face. On the screen, it was clear to see the location and thickness of the ligaments. He pointed at the screen and said to me, “Your zygomatic ligaments and mandibular ligaments have become significantly loose. If only filling procedures are performed, the Filler will move downward along with the loose tissues, so the results would disappear soon after each treatment.”

His ligament reinforcement plan consists of three levels:

First layer: RE2O ligament reconstruction (RE2O / ALXTOO). RE2O is a pate
nted microsphere suspension from South Korea. Once injected into the ligament area, it will form new supportive tissue within 3 to 6 months, effectively “reinforcing” the weakened ligaments. Using ultrasound guidance, Dr. Kim precisely injects the solution into three key areas: the zygomatic ligament, the mandibular ligament, and the platysma-mandibular ligament. This step is the foundation of the entire treatment protocol and also takes the most time—Dr. Kim carefully verifies the ultrasound images at each injection site to ensure the precise depth and angle of the injections.

The second step: Volume restoration with Juvederm. After reinforcing the ligaments, it is necessary to restore the lost volume in the affected
areas. Director Kim used Juvéderm Voluma, which belongs to Allergan’s premium product line. This formula is ideal for deep-layer filling and has high viscoelasticity, making it less likely to shift in place. The key is that very little product is required – he said, “Once the ligaments are supported, not much additional filling is actually needed.” When I underwent treatment for my Apple Zone and Nasolabial Fold Correction, only 0.8 ml of Juvederm Voluma was used in total, yet the results were even better than those achieved after using 2 ml in Taiwan previously.

The third layer: Texture optim
ization. The final step is to improve the quality of the skin. Director Jin used Rejuran Healer for a full-face treatment to Pore tightening and Lifting the skin’s texture. He said that many people only focus on improving the skin’s structure without paying attention to its quality, resulting in a face that looks fuller but with poor skin condition. After completing these three layers of treatment, the overall effect is “stable structure + sufficient volume + delicate skin texture”.

💊 Real experiences: Is it painful? Does it cause swelling? What is the effect?

Let me share my true feelings.

Pain level: The pain associated with RE2O injections is higher than that of regular fillers, as the injections are administered at a deeper layer of the ligaments. Dr. Jin first applied topical anesthesia and then added local anesthetic at the location of the ligaments. In most areas, there was only a feeling of swelling, but the area around the zygomatic ligament did experience some relatively intense pain, which lasted for about 3 to 4 minutes. Compared to the Thread Lifting procedures I performed in Taiwan, the pain level was approximately half as much.

Swelling: On the first day after the procedure, my entire face was noticeably swollen, especially in the Apple Zone area. Dr. Kim explained that this was normal, as RE2O goes through an inflammatory phase before forming the supporting tissue. I applied ice packs throughout the day, and by the second day, the swelling had reduced by about 60%. By the third day, the swelling had almost completely subsided, and I was able to go out as usual. There were a couple of bruises, but Dr. Kim helped me with some manual massage to accelerate their dissipation, and they disappeared within a week.

Effect timeline:

– Immediate results after the procedure: The Apple Zone becomes fuller, and the Nasolabial Fold Correction is significantly reduced (this is the immediate
effect of Juvederm).
– 2 weeks later: I feel that my whole face has become “tighter” – not in a tight or strained way, but rather with a enhanced se
nse of support.
– 1 month later: A friend said that I “looked younger, but it was impossible to tell what had been done” – this is the best compliment I could receive.
– 3 months lat
er: During a follow-up visit with Dr. Jin, ultrasound tests confirmed that the thickness of the ligaments had increased, indicating that the results were stable.

👨‍⚕️ Director Jin’s unique approach: Why is he different from others?

Having undergone so many medical beauty treatments, Director Jin is the most meticulous doctor I have ever encountered. Here are a few aspects that left a deep impression on me:

1. Ultrasound guidance, without relying on manual sensation. For each ligament location, he would first use ultrasound to determine the exact depth and angle before injecting the substance while watching the screen. When I had fillers done at other clinics before, the doctors would simply inject without any prior measurement, resulting in much less precision.

2. The amount used is very small, but the effect is remarkable. He repeatedly emphasized that “not a single extra injection should be given in areas where it’s not necessary.” For my Apple Zone, I only used 0.5 ml of Voluma, and the result was even more full than when I used 1.5 ml before – because once the ligaments were lifted, the tissues returned to their correct positions.

3. The entire procedure is carried out by Dr. Jin himself, from the initial consultation and ultrasound examination to the injection and post-operative follow-up. The assistant is only responsible for passing the instruments and taking photographs; they never touch my face. This is actually quite rare in Gangnam.

4. Strict post-operative follow-up: He required patients to return for check-ups at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after the procedure. During each follow-up visit, he would use ultrasound to assess the condition of the RE2O implant and determine whether the supporting tissues had stabilized properly. If the results were not satisfactory in any particular area, he would perform free adjustments during the follow-up process.

💳 Reference quotation for the project led by Kim Yong-hyun from barog in Gangnam

❓ Common issues in barog and Gangnam ligament reinforcement procedures

Q: Which is better, ligament reinforcement or Thread Lifting? The
principles of the two methods are different. Thread Lifting uses physical means to “pull things upward”; the results are immediate but the effect lasts for only 6 to 12 months. Ligament reinforcement, on the other hand, involves reconstructing the supporting structures, resulting in gradual but more lasting effects (12 to 18 months). Dr. Jin’s advice is: If you are young and have only mild sagging, Thread Lifting may be sufficient; if the sagging is more severe, or if previous fillers have not been effective, ligament reinforcement would be more appropriate.

Q: Can I have ligament reinforcement after having Filler injections? Yes, but it i
s recommended to wait until a certain amount of the previously injected Filler has been absorbed before proceeding. During the in-person consultation, Dr. Jin will use ultrasound to check the remaining Filler in your face and then determine the appropriate treatment plan for ligament reinforcement. In my case, most of the Filler I had injected before had already been absorbed, so I went ahead with the procedure directly.

Q: What is the difference between Director Kim Yong-hyun’s method of ligament reinforcement and that of other direct
ors? The main difference is that Director Kim uses ultrasound guidance, while many other directors rely on their sense of touch. This results in a much greater difference in precision—the misalignment of the ligaments by just 1-2 mm can significantly affect the outcome. Additionally, Director Kim is more conservative in the amount of treatment he administers, avoiding excessive doses at one time. When I asked him why he didn’t use more to achieve a more noticeable effect, he said, “Excessive reinforcement can make the face look stiff; naturalness is what matters most.”

📋 How to make an appointment: I have tried both methods and found them to be very convenient.

Route A: WeChat account s-sourire (recommended for beginners). Search for “s-sourire” on
WeChat, add the account as a friend, and send your facial photos and requirements. The operator will help you confirm the schedule of the clinic director and conduct a pre-operative assessment. s-sourire provides one-on-one Chinese-language consultations and will recommend suitable treatment plans based on your budget and needs. The advantage is that you will be fully aware of the process before going to the clinic, so you won’t feel overwhelmed on-site.

Route B: BeautsGO – Beauty for All. Search for “BeautsGO” on WeChat to acces
s the app, and then search for “barog” to view prices, reservation times, and information about the clinic director directly. The platform offers a certified green channel to ensure transparent pricing with no additional fees. New users are also eligible for exclusive refund discounts on the platform.

📝 Disclaimer

This article is merely a personal experience shared for reference only. The effects of medical aesthetics vary from person to person; it is recommended to consult a professional doctor before making any decisions. Prices may change due to fluctuations in exchange rates or adjustments made by the clinic; please refer to the actual quotes provided.