The influence of Korea on beauty routines worldwide is absolutely undeniable. K-beauty has taken the skincare industry by storm, leading to the explosive popularity of sheet masks, essences, double cleansing, elaborate product layering, glass skin and other buzzy beauty trends.
But global consumers aren't just turning to Korea for skincare inspiration. Korean plastic surgery is also booming, both at home and abroad.
Today, South Korea is widely known as the "plastic surgery capital of the world". The country is home to hundreds of plastic surgery clinics. More than 600 are located in Seoul alone, and 74.8 per cent of those are located in the ritzy Gangnam neighbourhood.
What makes Korean plastic surgery so unique? And do you have to travel to South Korea to get it? Today we're answering some of your top questions about the art and science of Korean plastic surgery.
How Popular Is Plastic Surgery in South Korea?
South Korea boasts the highest rate of cosmetic surgery per capita worldwide, by some industry estimates. The numbers are striking. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), approximately 13.5 procedures are performed per 1,000 people. A Gallup Korea survey found that one in three South Korean women between the ages of 19 and 29 said they've had some kind of surgical procedure. Other sources say the number is higher, possibly even 50 per cent or more.
The industry has grown substantially in recent years. South Korea's cosmetic surgery market reached an estimated US$2.47 billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it could hit US$12.14 billion by 2034.
The demographic profile of Korean plastic surgery patients is shifting as well. While the 30-54 age group currently drives the market due to anti-ageing concerns, younger patients are the fastest-growing segment. Men now represent up to 30 per cent of certain procedure categories, making them one of the most rapidly expanding patient demographics.
How Popular Is Medical Tourism in South Korea?
Korean plastic surgery is not just popular with locals. Hundreds of thousands of foreigners visit the country to undergo medical treatments each year. In fact, medical tourism is so big in South Korea that Seoul's Incheon International Airport once considered opening a cosmetic surgery centre inside a terminal. (The plan was scrapped after doctors spoke out about the dangers of travelling too soon after a procedure.)
1.17 million foreign patients travelled to Korea for medical care in 2024, according to Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare. That figure represents a 93.2 per cent increase from 2023 and nearly triples pre-pandemic levels. Dermatology and plastic surgery combined account for over three-quarters of foreign medical tourism revenue, with the vast majority of international patients (more than 85 per cent) seeking treatment in Seoul.
What Is the History of Plastic Surgery in Korea?
According to the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, plastic surgery entered mainstream South Korean culture in the late 1950s, following the war between North Korea and South Korea. US military and United Nations medical personnel travelled to South Korea to perform reconstructive surgery on the war's many wounded, bringing new techniques into the country.
One figure that stands out in this history is Dr David Ralph Millard, a US Marine Corps plastic surgeon stationed in Korea. A Yale and Harvard graduate who trained under Sir Harold Gillies, a man often called the father of modern plastic surgery, Millard initially came to Korea to provide reconstructive surgery for wounded soldiers and children with cleft palates. He is known for developing techniques used in cleft lip and palate repair and for performing the first widely documented Asian blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery) in Korea.
Research from Stanford University has traced how Millard's work evolved from reconstruction to cosmetic enhancement. His first voluntary cosmetic patient was reportedly a Korean translator seeking to change the appearance of his eyes, believing it would help him build trust with American colleagues. Early patients also included Korean women seeking to appeal to American soldiers and war brides hoping to ease their transition to life in the United States.
South Korea's plastic surgery industry continued to develop as Korean students who studied overseas returned home. Dr Lew Jae-Duk formalised the discipline in 1961, establishing Korea's first plastic surgery department at Yonsei University after returning from training in the US. His students went on to expand the specialty across major Korean medical schools. He founded the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 1966, and in 1974, the first Plastic Surgery Board Examination took place.
How Did Korean Plastic Surgery Become So Big?
Two major cultural shifts accelerated the mainstream adoption of cosmetic surgery in Korea. The first was the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which caused unemployment to spike dramatically. In a job market that required photos on applications, cosmetic surgery became what some researchers have described as an "employment strategy."
The second shift was the rise of the Hallyu wave, the global spread of Korean pop culture. Following the financial crisis, the Korean government invested heavily in cultural exports, and K-pop, K-drama and K-beauty products found massive international audiences. K-pop idols, and their distinctive aesthetic of double eyelids, V-shaped jawlines and high nose bridges, became beauty icons for millions of fans worldwide.
Why Do People Have Korean Plastic Surgery?
Like any kind of surgery, anywhere in the world, Korean plastic surgery patients have various reasons for undergoing cosmetic enhancement. Some concerns that are common among Korean patients and other Asian patients include:
- Bulbous nasal tip
- Flat nasal bridge
- Wide nostrils
- Small or "tired-looking" eyes
- Monolids
- Overly prominent cheekbones
- Protruding chin
- Weak or receding chin
- Square, bulky or masculine jaw
- Small breasts
- Large areolas and/or nipples
- Facial volume loss
What Are the Most Popular Korean Plastic Surgery Procedures?
The most popular plastic surgery procedures for Asian patients address the concerns listed above.
For the face, blepharoplasty (also called "eyelid surgery" or sometimes "double eyelid surgery") to create an upper eyelid crease is a widely requested procedure. Other common eye procedures include epicanthoplasty to reshape the inner corner of the eye, lateral canthoplasty to adjust the outer corner of the eye, and ptosis correction to address upper eyelid drooping. Rhinoplasty, facial fat grafting and bone recontouring are popular ways to reshape a specific facial feature or enhance the shape and proportions of the face overall.
For the body, many Asian women choose to undergo breast augmentation surgery. This can be done with breast implants or with fat grafting, depending on the patient's goals. Learn more about popular plastic surgery procedures for Asian patients here.
How Good Is Korean Plastic Surgery?
The simple answer is this: the results of Korean plastic surgery — and any kind of plastic surgery — are only as good as the surgeon who does it. A one-size-fits-all approach seldom delivers quality results in the realm of cosmetic procedures, especially when a patient's ethnic characteristics must be taken into account.
Korea is home to over 2,800 plastic surgeons according to the 2024 global aesthetics report from ISAPS, ranking fifth behind the United States, Brazil, China and Japan. The high volume of procedures performed means that Korean surgeons often develop deep specialisation. Some surgeons focus almost exclusively on rhinoplasty or double eyelid surgery, performing hundreds of these specific procedures each year.
These are some things to consider when choosing a surgeon:
- Is the surgeon a fully qualified specialist plastic surgeon?
- Does the surgeon demonstrate that they meet the highest standards of knowledge, training and expertise in plastic surgery?
- Does the surgeon specialise in providing care for Asian patients?
- Does the surgeon understand Asian anatomy and aesthetic preferences?
- Does the surgeon use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques?
- Is patient safety a top priority for the surgeon and their team?
- Do you like what you see in the surgeon's before and after pictures?
- Does the surgeon provide focused and personalised attention?
How Has Korea Influenced Plastic Surgery Worldwide?
South Korea has pioneered many innovations that are now used globally.
Thread lifting, for instance, was largely developed and refined in Korean clinics. Korean surgeons invented techniques like the Ultra-V PCL Thread Lifting method, and MINT PDO threads, developed by HansBiomed in South Korea, became the first PDO thread to receive FDA clearance in the United States back in 2013.
South Korean dermatologist Dr Jongju Na is credited with developing Scarlet RF, one of the first radiofrequency microneedling devices, and Sylfirm X RF microneedling, as well as the patented "Na Effect" incorporated in these technologies.
South Korea has seen the invention and launch of many novel products and treatments, including Lenisna to support facial structure, the LHALA Peel for "glass skin" exfoliation, and Rejuran for bioremodelling and skin health.
Korean clinics have also popularised the "Aegyo Sal" technique — adding volume beneath the lower eyelid to create a youthful "eye smile", an aesthetic that is distinctly Korean.
Is It Safe to Get Plastic Surgery in Korea?
Korea's reputation for cosmetic surgery is well-established, and the vast majority of Korean plastic surgeons are highly trained professionals. However, the industry has faced some scrutiny over safety concerns.
In 2021, Korea became the first country in the world to mandate CCTV recording in operating rooms. The legislation was a response to what became known as the "ghost surgery" scandal. Ghost surgery refers to cases where substitute surgeons — sometimes residents, physician assistants or even unqualified personnel — perform procedures on unconscious patients without their knowledge or consent. The Korean Society of Plastic Surgeons estimated that as many as 100,000 patients may have been affected by this practice between 2008 and 2014.
Under the current law, hospitals conducting surgeries on unconscious patients must install cameras and record upon patient request. Videos must be retained for a minimum of 30 days, with viewing restricted to crime investigations, court proceedings and medical dispute mediation with patient consent.
It's worth noting an important regulatory detail: while only certified specialists can call their practices "plastic surgery clinics" in Korea, Korean medical law does not restrict doctors to practising only within their certified specialty. This means any licensed medical doctor can legally perform cosmetic surgeries. If you are considering treatment in Korea, verifying your surgeon's credentials through official channels is essential.
For patients who prefer not to travel abroad, seeking treatment locally with a qualified specialist plastic surgeon can provide peace of mind, particularly given Australia's robust regulatory framework and strict standards for medical practitioners.
Where Can You Get Korean Plastic Surgery in Sydney?
In Australia, interest in Korean plastic surgery continues to grow. More and more patients want to find surgeons who understand Asian anatomy, Asian beauty standards and Asian surgical techniques without having to travel overseas. Visiting a practice that specialises in Asian plastic surgery is the best way to ensure you'll get the experience you're looking for without leaving home.
Asian Plastic Surgery was founded with this in mind. Led by two specialist plastic surgeons, our clinic offers unparalleled results for patients of Asian descent. Our surgeons perform a wide range of procedures for the face, breast and body, always with an eye toward preserving cultural heritage while minimising patients' cosmetic concerns.
What About Plastic Surgery in Other Asian Countries?
Want to learn more about plastic surgery throughout Asia? Read the rest of our series on Asian plastic surgery:
- Chinese plastic surgery
- Japanese plastic surgery
- Vietnamese plastic surgery
- Thailand plastic surgery
- Singaporean plastic surgery
- Indonesian plastic surgery
- Taiwanese plastic surgery
Contact Sydney's Asian Plastic Surgery to Schedule a Consultation
Asian patients deserve more than a cookie-cutter approach to cosmetic surgery. At Asian Plastic Surgery, our fully qualified specialist plastic surgeons utilise advanced surgical methods designed with the Asian population in mind. They understand the distinctive anatomical challenges Asian patients face, as well as the unique beauty and elegance of Asian features. Our patients can be assured their procedures will cater to their cultural identity.
To request a consultation for Korean plastic surgery in Sydney, contact us on +02 5104 9703 or fill out our enquiry form today.
