
🤔 Why are there so many clinics in Myeongdong, and why did I choose KARIN exactly?
“Isn’t the place you’re going one of those shops specifically for tourists? The prices are double, right?” That was my mother’s first reaction when I told her I wanted to go to Myeongdong for some cosmetic treatments. To be honest, I was scared too. There are over a dozen Dermatology clinics on that street in Myeongdong, and any one of them could potentially be targeting tourists. But my choice of KARIN Clinic (Myeongdong Karin) was based on two simple reasons: they promised to charge the same prices as locals, and all their injectable products came with barcodes that allowed customers to verify their authenticity on the spot. These may seem like basic requirements, but not many clinics in Myeongdong can meet them.
My first visit to KARIN was at the end of 2025. Back then, I only had Botulinum Toxin injections, which cost 50,000 Korean won. The results were so natural that my friends couldn’t tell any difference, but my face definitely looked more refreshed. In 2026, I went back and had a Skin Booster treatment, and this time I got a better understanding of Director Choi’s pricing structure. In this article, I have listed the prices of all the treatments, the brands of the products used, and the details of each procedure, so you won’t have to go through the same research as I did.
💊 Director Cui’s list of project quotes for 2026
All of the prices listed below refer to the fees actually charged by Director Cui himself, regardless of whether the client is Korean or foreign. I underwent the procedures twice in March and May 2026, and I confirmed that the prices had not changed.
Anti-allergy Glow Treatment (Skin Booster / 스킨부스터) — This is the signature treatment at ₩180,000 KARIN. The product
used is Rejuran Healer, not the regular Filler. Dr. Choi will first conduct a skin analysis to determine the appropriate depth and frequency of the treatment based on your skin type. Since I have sensitive skin, she adjusted the intensity by 15%; after the treatment, my skin only turned slightly red on the same day, but the redness disappeared the next day. The entire process takes about 30 minutes, including the waiting time for topical anesthesia to take effect.
Botulinum Toxin — ₩50,000 per treatment area. The product used is Allergan Botox, and the batch number can be verified by scanning a QR cod
e on-site. Common treatment areas include frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles. Director Cui uses a very gentle technique, injecting approximately 8–12 units per area each time. For my crow’s feet, the effects began to appear after about 3–4 days and reached their optimal state after 7 days. The facial expressions are not completely frozen; subtle movements are still possible, but the wrinkles have clearly become less noticeable.
Juvelook Collagen Injection (쥬벨룩) — ₩350,000. I haven’t tried this treatment myself, but a friend who did it shar
ed the experience with me. Juvelook is a composite injection consisting of PDLLA and Filler, which lasts longer than regular Filler (about 12–18 months) and also stimulates the production of new Collagen. It is suitable for people with sagging Apple Zone, deep Nasolabial Fold Correction, or those who need overall Lifting of their skin texture. Dr. Choi will first examine the area by touch to determine the exact location for the injection. He won’t inject too much at one time; instead, he prefers to apply a smaller amount for a more natural result.
Shinagawa Botulinum Toxin Treatment — ₩80,000 per area. Shinagawa is a South Korean brand; its prices are lower than those of Botox, but the re
sults are just as good. It is ideal for those with limited budgets who still want to undergo botulinum toxin treatment. A friend of mine used this service to reduce the size of her calves. She said that the effects appeared slightly slower than with Botox (it took about 10 days to see results), but the duration of the effects was similar.
Ellanse Juvenile Needle (엘란세) — Starting from ₩850,000. Ellanse is a long-lasting
filler made of PCL material, with a duration of 2–3 years. KARIN uses Ellanse M (suitable for the Apple Zone and Nasolabial Fold Correction) and Ellanse L (suitable for the chin and nose bridge). The price varies depending on the volume used; a 1ml syringe costs approximately ₩850,000. Dr. Choi would like to remind everyone that 2–3 weeks after the treatment, there will be a “swelling period,” which is completely normal and there is no need to worry.
👩⚕️ Director Cui’s approach to surgery: gentle yet precise.
President Cui’s Korean name is Choi Won-jang. She has worked at KARIN for over 8 years, specializing in injectable treatments. Her style can be summarized by several key characteristics:
Firstly, the amount of product used is very conservative. She won’t try to push you into getting multiple treatments or using large doses at once. When I went there for the first time, I only wanted to have Botox injections to remove wrinkles. After examining my face, she said, “Your frown lines can be treated, but your crow’s feet aren’t very deep yet; we can just observe them for now.” Such a reluctance to over-sell services is really rare in Myeongdong.
Secondly, the injection speed is very fast yet extremely precise. When she applied the anti-allergy glow treatment, I was surprised because she injected at a much faster pace than I did in Taiwan, yet there were almost no mistakes – no missed injections or damage to blood vessels. It was only later that I learned that she performs 15 to 20 injections every day at KARIN, which definitely gives her extensive experience in this field.
Thirdly, on-site product inspections are carried out without any delay. For each injection product, she will open the package in front of you and then ask you to scan the QR code on the packaging to confirm that it is an authentic original product. The entire process is completely transparent, so you don’t have to worry about getting fake products. I later found out that KARIN is a medical institution certified by the South Korea Food and Drug Safety Agency (MFDS), and all its products come through legitimate channels.
💰 What does “same price for tourists” mean? Will there really be no extra charges?
“Same prices for all tourists” is KARIN’s core commitment. This means that whether you are a local from South Korea, someone from Taiwan, Hong Kong, or any other country, the prices remain exactly the same. The prices displayed on the official website or in the mobile app are exactly what you will pay when you visit the store; there will be no additional service charges or price surcharges just because you are a foreigner.
My personal experience: I had the treatment twice (botulinum toxin injections + anti-allergy glow therapy), and the price charged each time was exactly the same as what she mentioned during the in-person consultation. Moreover, they accept both credit cards and cash as payment methods. If you book through s-sourire, they can also help you determine the exchange rate for that day, so you won’t end up paying more due to fluctuations in the exchange rate.
For comparison, some clinics in Myeongdong charge 30,000 to 40,000 Korean won for Botox injections, but additional fees such as “foreigner consultation fees,” “translation fees,” and “equipment usage fees” may be added on-site, resulting in a final bill of 80,000 to 100,000 Korean won. KARIN does not practice this; all fees are completely transparent.
💳 Reference Quote for Projects Led by Director Cui at KARIN Clinic
| Project | Price (Korean won) | brand | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-allergy Glow Toner | ₩180,000 | Rejuran Healer | 3 to 6 months |
| Botox for wrinkle removal | ₩50,000 / per treatment area | Allergan Botox | 4 to 6 months |
| Juvelook Collagen | ₩350,000 | Juvelook | 12 to 18 months |
| Shinagawa Botulinum Toxin | ₩80,000 / per treatment area | Shinagawa | 3 to 5 months |
| Ellanse Juvenile Needle | Starting from ⩨850,000 | Ellanse M/L | 2-3 years |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about KARIN Clinic
Q: Can hyaluronic acid injection and Botox be done on the same day? Yes. Dir
ector Cui recommends performing hyaluronic acid injection first, followed by Botox; reversing this order may affect the distribution of Botox. I myself had both procedures done on the same day, and the entire process took approximately 50 minutes (including the time for topical anesthesia). The advantage of having these two treatments together is that only one area needs to be swollen, eliminating the need for two separate visits.
Q: Does KARIN have a membership system or any follow-up discounts? Yes. KARI
N offers a membership tier system based on cumulative spending; customers who reach a certain amount can enjoy discounts. In addition, customers who make reservations through s-sourire may sometimes receive exclusive discounts offered in collaboration between s-sourire and KARIN. For the specific discount amounts, please inquire upon reservation. It is recommended to check through s-sourire before your first visit to see if any discount plans are available, as it can help you save some money.
Q: What should I do if there is a langu
age barrier? KARIN does have Chinese-speaking consultants (not translation software, but real people), but they are usually quite busy on weekends, so you may need to wait. If you make an appointment through s-sourire, s-sourire will provide pre-operative communication in Chinese. Once you arrive at the location, simple English and a translation app should be sufficient to handle everything.
Q: Is it possible to schedule a treatment on the same d
ay? It is possible on weekdays. Usually, Director Cui is available for appointments from 10:00 to 18:00 during weekdays. However, it is recommended to make an appointment 3 to 5 days in advance on weekends and during the peak seasons (March to May, September to November). You can check for available times immediately by making an appointment through s-sourire.
Q: Are these products really genuine and original
? You can scan the codes on-site for verification. Each injection product is opened in front of you. KARIN is an MFDS-certified institution, and the procurement process of these products is under supervision. I have personally scanned the batch numbers of Botox and confirmed that they are genuine Allergan products.
Q: What precautions should be taken after the procedure? On t
he day of the hyaluronic acid injection or botulinum toxin treatment, do not wear makeup and avoid going to places with high temperatures. Do not press or rub the injection area for 4 to 6 hours. Within one week after the botulinum toxin treatment, avoid strenuous exercise to prevent any displacement of the effects. Director Cui will provide you with a card detailing post-treatment precautions, available in Chinese, Korean, and English.
📋 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 ac
cess the app, and then search for “KARIN Clinic” 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 sharing of personal experiences and is provided 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.

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