According to statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), the United States ranks first in the world for the number of plastic surgeries performed. However, South Korea ranks first for the highest number of surgeries per capita, with 16 people undergoing surgery for every 1,000 residents. Gangnam in Seoul is densely packed with plastic surgery clinics, so much so that a clinic sign can be seen every other house while walking down the street. In this area known as the "Mecca of Plastic Surgery," there is a clinic that practices medicine with a unique philosophy and ideals. Saegim Plastic Surgery, making a fresh start by continuing the reputation built over 20 years at some of the nation's top hospitals, began with the aspiration to "engrav meaningful beauty and true beauty" onto the faces and hearts of its clients. Saegim Plastic Surgery, which dreams of a new leap forward led by Director Kim Ji-myeong, who handles eyes, nose, and facial contouring, and Director Moon Hye-young, who specializes in lifting and anti-aging procedures, was interviewed by <Weekly People> to share a candid story about their past as doctors in the highly competitive Korean plastic surgery field and their future plans.

Reporting & Writing by Reporters Lee Seon-jin, Kim Yu-wi, and Han Hye-seon

The dictionary definition of 'engraving' is to remember something deeply in one's heart so as not to be forgotten. Director Kim Ji-myeong named the clinic 'Saegim Plastic Surgery' because he wanted to convey such beauty that is remembered in this way. Director Kim, who previously handled the eyes, nose, and facial contouring departments, joined hands with his university junior, Director Moon Hye-young, who specializes in lifting and facial liposuction, to take the first step of Saegim Plastic Surgery. They did so with the ambition of having Saegim Plastic Surgery engrave a new chapter in the history of plastic surgery in Korea, based on their accumulated experience and know-how.

“We must not overlook the positive aspects of plastic surgery. It is not merely about becoming aesthetically beautiful; it can have a positive effect in terms of boosting confidence and self-esteem. I want to be a hospital that instills not only aesthetic beauty but also true inner beauty in our patients. We are striving to build a clinic where patients are ultimately satisfied by listening attentively to their stories, resolving any issues that arise, and providing dedicated care.”

Although he may appear somewhat reserved on the surface, Director Kim Ji-myeong is a so-called "tsundere" type who cares for and looks after patients like family. He meticulously monitors post-operative progress and sets a six-month follow-up period; if there is room for improvement or issues needing resolution during the final check-up, he actively provides care. For this reason, he is famous as a doctor who becomes closer to his patients before and after surgery. Because he always thinks of and cares for patients as if they were his own family, trust in the doctor naturally follows. Founded on this philosophy of Director Kim Ji-myeong, Saegim Plastic Surgery engraves the word "trust" in the hearts of its patients.

If you look at the footsteps of historical heroes, you will find that they always had good mentors by their side. Director Kim Ji-myeong also states that he became who he is today by using the teachings of good mentors as a foundation. While working at Sinchon Severance Hospital, he became interested in rhinoplasty after watching his mentor reconstruct the nose of a patient with a cleft lip and palate. Although university hospitals typically handle more reconstructive surgery for trauma patients than cosmetic surgery, treating an emergency patient whose shoulder and arm were caught in farm machinery, leaving him in a life-or-death situation, became the turning point that changed his perspective as a plastic surgeon.

“I can never forget a remark my professor made back then. He scolded me, asking, ‘Aren’t you a doctor?’ and it really snapped me back to reality. I treated a patient who was on the brink of death and cared for him with great devotion for a month. Later, he even sent me rice to thank me, saying he could use his arm well. That was when I realized that being a good doctor isn't just about performing surgeries well; it is about caring for and managing the patient until the very end.”

Director Kim Ji-myeong, who treats his patients like family, reunited with a patient who had come to him for double eyelid surgery 10 years ago through a referral after opening Saegim Plastic Surgery. The patient wanted revision surgery because their double eyelids had come undone, so Director Kim thanked them for returning and performed the surgery once again. Although he offered not to accept payment, the patient, perhaps wanting to express their gratitude, desperately left behind 50 won earned from a part-time job; Director Kim then donated the money to a good cause. Director Kim says he feels the greatest sense of fulfillment as a plastic surgeon when he sees patients satisfied with their post-operative results. He communicates genuinely with his patients to the point where many call him "Father" instead of "Director."

“Patients are generally sensitive before surgery. Even the most composed person gets very nervous before the operation. I believe it is my role to understand the patient's feelings and reassure them so they can undergo the surgery comfortably. In my case, I have unrivaled experience with nose surgeries, so I establish a perfect plan beforehand. This allows me to complete the surgery successfully without being swayed by various variables, shortens the operating time, and leads to better results. It feels so good when, the moment I remove the tape after surgery, I show the patient the mirror and ask, ‘How does it look?’ and they give me a ‘thumbs up.’ I believe that being a plastic surgeon is about doing your absolute best and working hard as a foundation, while constantly striving to achieve the best possible results.”

Dr. Moon Hye-young of Saegim Plastic Surgery Clinic states that when asked, "If I were a family member, would I recommend this surgery?", she replies, "I would not recommend an unnecessary surgery from the start," emphasizing that she only recommends and performs surgeries that are absolutely necessary. As interest in beauty grows, the spectrum of the plastic surgery patient base is becoming more diverse and broad. Recently, there has been a growing trend of patients seeking lifting and anti-aging procedures; Dr. Moon recommends surgeries based on clear criteria and guides patients toward achieving excellent results. She combines a broad range of surgeries and treatments, including not only lifting procedures but also fat grafting, facial liposuction, thread lifting, and facelifts, although lifting procedures by far constitute the majority of her practice. She emphasizes that since lifting is a necessary procedure as aging progresses, she must become a primary physician who maintains a long-term relationship with her patients.

“I remember a patient who had surgery at an unverified clinic coming to me in tears, begging for revision surgery. I still vividly recall seeing that patient shed tears of joy again as their face transformed after having foreign substances removed and undergoing a lifting procedure. Since it was a revision surgery, I proceeded cautiously and managed the operation step by step. As they received proper treatment and improved, they made sure to visit once a year for a consultation. My field involves surgeries that are appropriately necessary as aging progresses, as well as those performed due to external factors, but continuous care is required even after the operation. Aging is not something that can be cured; it is something that requires ongoing management. That is why many patients maintain long-lasting relationships with me, to the point where they refer to me as their ‘primary physician’ who takes responsibility for their beauty.”

Director Moon Hye-young says that the teachings she received from her mentor, who specialized in ear surgery, remain vivid in her memory. Hearing her teacher's advice that one must dedicate oneself to one specific field, she chose the area she was most interested in and passionate about, and is now diligently pursuing the field of anti-aging. Inspired by her mentor, who devoted himself to research with the motto, "A doctor cannot be considered a doctor if they do not read or write journals," Director Moon also communicated with professors at university hospitals, published numerous papers, and provided assistance. While writing papers, she never neglects the task of analyzing and researching, reflecting on whether the new surgeries she performed were the best possible approach and whether there were other methods to achieve better results.

Director Kim Ji-myeong, possessing decades of experience and know-how, imparts his teachings to his juniors through a variety of surgical cases rather than words. He emphasizes that plastic surgery requires a holistic approach rather than focusing solely on a specific part, urging his juniors to broaden their perspective to include both a microscopic view and a macroscopic one. Let's take a nose surgery as an example. He explains that one should not merely focus on how the nose will be operated on, but must establish a precise plan beforehand, execute the procedure with meticulous care from start to finish, and ensure that while the whole picture is covered, each individual part is taken care of. Furthermore, he advises that if problems arise during the surgery, one should not avoid the patient but actively intervene to resolve the issue together.

"Doctors who have just finished their training often rush through surgery, believing they are fully prepared, which inevitably leads to problems. Inexperienced doctors tend to be impatient. I want to emphasize that plastic surgeons must take their time, proceed step-by-step, and maintain a broad perspective. When performing rhinoplasty, focusing solely on the nose prevents you from seeing the patient, which inevitably leads to issues. Even with thorough pre-operative consultations and a well-structured surgical plan, there are bound to be various variables. To minimize these, I, as the doctor, have no choice but to maintain a broad perspective, prepare more thoroughly, and be more diligent. Furthermore, treating patients with sincerity is essential for effectively resolving any issues that may arise. Patients can only trust a doctor when you never avoid them, but instead communicate genuinely and demonstrate that you are working together to solve problems."

Director Moon Hye-young also states that one must build one's competitiveness to survive in the medical field, which is expected to become even more challenging in the future. She argues that expertise must be the foundation, as competition becomes increasingly fierce and fields become more specialized.

Since I also consider myself still incomplete, I always keep in mind Steve Jobs’s graduation speech, which urged me not to settle but to constantly crave learning. If you build your competitiveness and work hard without settling for your current position, you will surely reap the fruits of success.

Saegim Plastic Surgery is being built by university seniors and juniors who have been friends for 20 years, based on long-standing trust and faith. Directors Kim Ji-myeong and Moon Hye-young aspire to develop the clinic into a place where both staff and patients feel good and satisfied upon arrival. They are cultivating Saegim Plastic Surgery by joining forces on everything from small details to major decisions. Thanks to the excellent synergy between the two directors, the clinic has been thriving since its inception through word of mouth. From eyes, noses, and facial contouring to anti-aging procedures like lifting, the entire staff, including the two directors, is striving to establish Saegim as Korea's leading plastic surgery clinic. Saegim Plastic Surgery aims to imprint meaningful beauty on the faces and hearts of many people and to show the world what true beauty is. Although they are currently in the stage of sowing seeds and waiting for the fruit, the fertile soil makes the time of harvest all the more anticipated.

profile

Chief Director Kim Ji-myeong

Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine

Plastic surgeon at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center

Visiting Professor at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center

Executive Director of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Regular member of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Regular member of the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons

Regular member of the Korean Society of Craniofacial Plastic Surgery

Regular member of the Korean Society of Hand Surgery

Chief Director Moon Hye-young

Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine

Master's degree from Yonsei University College of Medicine

Plastic surgeon at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center

Served as a Fellow in Plastic Surgery at Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center

Visiting Professor at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center

Regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Regular member of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Regular member of the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons

Regular member of the Korean Society of Microsurgery