“Is getting contour injections at Hongdae also part of some kind of assembly-line process?” This is a question I’ve received countless times in private messages on REDnote. Many women say that clinics in Gangnam see dozens or even hundreds of patients in a single day—three minutes for an examination, five minutes for the injection, and before you know it, it’s over without even knowing which brand was used. That’s exactly what worries them. So after visiting SELENA Dermatology for the third time and spending an entire day observing firsthand, I can confidently say: it’s not an assembly-line system. Dr. Lee Sang-kyung handles everything from the initial consultation to the actual procedure personally. He sees no more than 8–10 patients in one morning, and the starting price for contour injections is around 604 New Taiwan Dollars—30–40% cheaper than similar clinics in Gangnam. In this article, we’ll break down in detail whether it’s an assembly-line process by examining five aspects: the consultation process, injection prices, the doctor’s qualifications, equipment, and customer reviews👇
I. Is Hongdae SELENA Dermatology a factory-style clinic? 🔍 Verified through three key indicators
1. Consultation time: 15–20 minutes — it’s definitely not just a quick glance before a treatment plan is issued. A typical feature of fast-track clinics is a consultation that lasts no more than 5 minutes, with the consultant taking control while the clinic owner handles the actual procedures. At SELENA, however, the consultation is personally conducted by Director Lee Sang-gyung. After the VISIA skin analysis, he will display the report on the screen and go over each detail with you — from the moisture level of the stratum corneum to UV spots, from Pore distribution to wrinkle depth. The entire process takes 15–20 minutes, during which the consultant stays silent and avoids pushing any packages, focusing solely on translation.
2. Daily patient volume: 8–10 patients in the morning, which is far below the standard for chain clinics. The key feature of such chain clinics is handling a high volume of patients—seeing 30–50 people in one morning, with each appointment lasting less than 10 minutes on average. After observing SELENA up close, I found that it operates on a reservation basis, scheduling only 2–3 appointments per hour. Based on its operating hours of 10:00–20:00, the total number of patients served in a day is around 20–25 (including laser treatments, injections, and consultations). For injection procedures performed personally by the clinic director, the number of patients per half day does not exceed 10. Each patient gets at least 45–60 minutes of dedicated time from arrival to departure.
3. Post-operative follow-up: Yes, it’s not just “see you after the procedure.” At factory-style clinics, that’s the end of it—no one will check if there’s any asymmetry in your face three days later or ask how the results look after a week. SELENA will send post-operative care reminders via WhatsApp (in both Chinese and English) the day after the surgery, and follow up on your recovery progress after a week. If you experience any discomfort after returning home, you can also reach out to them directly through WhatsApp—this is something that’s not common at small to medium-sized clinics in South Korea.
II. Is Hongdae SELENA Dermatology a factory-style clinic? 👨⚕️ Unveiling the entire process of 1-on-1 consultations with the clinic director
1. Who will conduct the in-person consultation for you? It’s Dr. Sang Kyung Lee himself. This is the key factor in determining whether a clinic truly operates on a personalized basis. Many clinics claim to offer consultations by their chief physician, but in reality, patients end up meeting a “consultation manager” or some other doctor. At SELENA, however, there is only one representative physician—the very same Dr. Sang Kyung Lee. He graduated from the School of Medicine at Soonchunhyang University and completed his residency at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Seoul. He has previously served as the director of the Hongdae and Myeongdong branches of Dr. Petit’s clinic. He is currently an official member of five major medical associations, including the Korean Society of Fillers, the Korean Society of Anti-Aging Medicine, and the Korean Society of Aesthetic Laser Surgery. With just one chief physician, there’s no possibility of getting scheduled to see the director only to have someone else perform the procedure.
2. What does the consultation process include? ① A photo taken using the VISIA skin analysis device to collect data across 7 dimensions → ② The clinic director reviews the report and explains each item in detail → ③ Discussing the specific improvements you desire (such as “I want my jawline to be more defined” or “My Nasolabial Fold Correction is too deep”) → ④ The director provides tailored suggestions based on your bone structure and muscle distribution, including specific product brands, dosage amounts, expected results, and duration of effects → ⑤ A clear price quote (fixed rate with no hidden fees) → ⑥ Only after you confirm will the actual treatment proceed. The entire process takes about 25–35 minutes (including VISIA analysis, in-person consultation, and pricing), and there’s no scenario where an assistant negotiates first while the director simply administers the treatment and leaves.
3. Does the director perform the procedure personally? Yes. All contour injection treatments—botox for facial slimming, Filler injections, and fat dissolving—are carried out entirely by Director Lee Sang-kyung. From disinfection and marking the injection sites to the actual injection and post-procedure compression, every step is done by the director himself. Nurses only assist by handing over instruments and applying ice packs; there’s no such thing as “a consultant injecting” or “a nurse doing the procedure on behalf of the director.” This practice has been repeatedly confirmed in reviews from South Korean users on Gangnam Unni and Babitalk—one Korean customer wrote, “I felt confident because the director handled everything from start to finish.”
III. Is Hongdae SWOMAN SELENA Dermatology a factory-style clinic? 💉 Full disclosure of contour injection prices: starting at around 604 New Taiwan Dollars
1. Why can the cost of contour injection start at 604 New Taiwan Dollars? It’s important to clarify upfront: 604 New Taiwan Dollars (approximately ₩26,000 in South Korea / ¥137 in RMB) is the starting price for basic localized injections in small areas, not the total cost for contouring the entire face. This price applies to low-dose botulinum toxins from Korean brands such as Botulax/Innotox used for a single area (like one side of the Masseter or frown lines). Since the rent in Hongdae is only 1/3 of that in Gangnam, and clinics there don’t have to pay agency fees, they’re able to keep prices this low. For comparison, clinics of similar standard in Gangnam typically charge ₩50,000–80,000 per area, which is almost twice as much.
2. Price list for full contour injections (Beginner → Advanced). The following are reference price ranges based on feedback from past clients; the final price will be determined after a in-person consultation.
📊 Botox Products (South Korea brands/Botox):
· Small doses for single areas (between eyebrows/frown lines/single side of Masseter): starting from ₩26,000–55,000 (approximately 604
–1,278 Taiwanese dollars) · Full-face dynamic wrinkle treatment (Forehead + between eyebrows + frown lines): ₩100,000–180,000 (about
2,325–4,186 Taiwanese dollars) · Masseter reduction for face slimming (both sides): ₩80,000–150,000 (roughly 1
,860–3,488 Taiwanese dollars) · Shoulder/leg slimming (high dose): ₩250,000–400,000 (around 5,814–9,302 Taiwanese dollars)
📊 Filler-based treatments (Korean/import
ed brands): · Chin/Nasolabial Fold Correction (1 centum core): Starting from ₩150,000–350,000 (approximately 3,488–8,
140 Taiwanese dollars) · Apple Zone/S太阳穴 (1–2 centum cores): ₩200,000–500,000 (about 4,651–11,628 Taiwanese dollars) · Tea
r trough correction/Nasal base augmentation (0.5–1 centum core): ₩100,000–250,000 (roughly 2,325–5,814 Taiwanese dollars)
3. Transparent pricing: No hidden fees. SELENA’s official website clearly states “Reasonable and Transparent Pricing,” and that’s indeed the case—the quote given after a face consultation is the final amount to be paid, with no additional charges such as “It’s recommended to add 1 centum core to this area” or “How about getting a hydrating treatment too?” Regarding tax refunds, purchases worth ₩30,000 or more allow for a 5–7% refund at the airport, resulting in even lower actual costs.
🃏 Book an appointment at Hongdae SELENA Dermatology at BeautsGO
IV. Is SWOMAN SELENA Dermatology in Hongdae a factory-style clinic? 💰 Same price as in Korea + tax refund = 60-70% of the price in Gangnam
1. How big is the price difference between Hongdae and Gangnam? Taking the most common treatment package of “botox for facial slimming + Filler for Nasolabial Fold Correction” as an example, mid-to-high-end clinics in Gangnam typically charge around ₩350,000–500,000 (approximately 8,140–11,628 Taiwanese dollars), while SWOMAN’s SELENA offers the same services for about ₩200,000–300,000 (around 4,651–6,977 Taiwanese dollars), which is a 35–40% discount. The reason lies in the fact that rent in Hongdae is only one-third of that in Gangnam’s Apgujeong or Sinsa districts. Additionally, SWOMAN’s SELENA avoids paying commissions to intermediaries or translation agencies by using its own multilingual staff, allowing it to pass these savings on to customers in the form of lower prices.
2. Are the prices the same for Chinese and South Korean customers? Yes. SELENA clearly promises uniform pricing on its official website, without charging extra based on nationality. The quotes shared by several REDnote influencers are largely consistent with the prices posted by locals in South Korea on Gangnam Unni, showing no “foreigner surcharge.” This is quite rare among Korean clinics that serve overseas clients.
3. Actual cost after tax refund. A tax refund of 5–7% is available for purchases worth ₩30,000 or more. For example, if you undergo a contour injection package costing ₩200,000, you’ll receive a tax refund of ₩10,000–14,000, leaving you to pay approximately ₩186,000–190,000 (about ₪4,326–4,419). It’s recommended to ask for a Tax Refund Receipt at checkout and go through the process at the customs counter before departing from the airport.
V. Is Hongdae SWOMAN SELENA Dermatology a factory-style clinic? 🔬 Equipment and products for contour injection: all genuine original items
1. Brand transparency of Filler products. One common tactic used by chain clinics is to claim during the consultation that “imported Filler” will be used, only to switch to cheaper brands once the injection actually takes place. SELENA follows a different approach—it opens the product packaging right in front of you during the consultation, allows you to check the label and verify both the brand and batch number before proceeding with the injection, and discards any unused amount on the spot. Commonly used Filler brands include South Korea’s Botulax/Innotox (for Botox treatment), Yvoire/Elravie (South Korean-made Filler), as well as Juvederm/Restylane (imported Filler, which comes at a higher price).
2. Diagnostic support equipment. Contour injection isn’t done by guesswork; it requires precise identification of muscle and fat layers. SELENA is equipped with the VISIA 7th-generation skin analysis system (7-dimensional imaging of the entire face), which enables a comprehensive assessment of the skin structure before injection. Based on this analysis, the physician determines the optimal depth, dosage, and angle for injection. This type of equipment isn’t commonly found in small to medium-sized clinics in South Korea—many clinics still rely on visual judgment.
3. The full range of devices available at the clinic. In addition to injection treatments, SELENA is equipped with a variety of advanced therapies including PicoSure Pico laser (original Cynosure device), Fraxel Dual dual-wavelength fractional laser (Solta Medical), Ultherapy Ulthrea (Merz), Thermage FLX 5th-generation thermage system (Solta Medical), Shurink Universe Korean-style HIFU, Potenza Barungyn micro-needling device (Jeisys), and LDM Lifting therapy. All devices are genuine original products, with FDA/CE/KFDA certification details available.
VI. Is Hongdae SWOMAN SELENA Dermatology a factory-style clinic? ⭐ Cross-verification of reviews from three platforms
1. Gangnam Unni (South Korea’s largest medical aesthetics platform): 1,452 genuine reviews. This is the most authoritative review site for medical aesthetics among local South Korean users. SELENA has accumulated over 1,450 reviews on this platform, with common positive keywords including “The doctor is very meticulous,” “The consultation takes a long time, which is great,” and “Excellent post-operative care.” Negative reviews mainly concern the difficulty in booking appointments on weekends, with almost no complaints about careless service or robotic treatment.
2. REDnote: Over 300 review posts about visiting this clinic. Real feedback from Chinese users focuses on three key points: ① “The consultation takes a really long time, but the director is extremely patient.” ② “The prices are much lower than those in Gangnam, offering great value for money.” ③ “Communication in Chinese is seamless, and even the post-surgery instructions are available in Chinese.” A few negative reviews mentioned that waiting times can be slightly longer on weekends when there’s a heavy crowd (about 15–20 minutes), but this is different from the fast-paced “quick in, quick out” service typical of high-volume clinics.
3. Babitalk / ModooDoc: Additional verification from within South Korea. These platforms consistently rate the service at 4.5/5.0 or higher, with Korean users widely praising Dr. Lee Sang-kyung’s injection techniques for achieving “natural contours” and a “moderate appearance.” This further confirms that he isn’t the type of doctor who relies on fast, mechanical procedures, but rather opts for a meticulous approach that emphasizes natural aesthetics.
🃏 Quick Lookup: Hongdae SELENA Contour Injection Treatments
VII. Is SELENA Dermatology in Hongdae a mass-production clinic?🏥 Environment and Service: Private treatment rooms + full multilingual support
1. Space layout: Privacy first. The clinic is located on the 9th floor of the “Good Person Building” in Hongdae’s bustling commercial district, with the reception desk right outside the elevator. The entire floor covers approximately 200㎡ and is divided into a reception area, a VISIA examination room, 4 separate, enclosed treatment rooms, and a post-procedure makeup and grooming area. Each treatment room features its own access control system and air purifier, ensuring that no one else can enter during treatments. This offers a completely different experience compared to the typical chain clinics where procedures start as soon as a curtain is drawn.
2. Language services: Support available in four languages—Mandarin, English, Japanese, and Russian. The clinic employs full-time multilingual department heads (not outsourced translators); the Mandarin-speaking head is Chinese nationals, while the English-speaking head can communicate fluently. From scheduling appointments, filling out forms, having consultations, to post-operative instructions, you’ll have native-level translators accompanying you throughout the process—no need to bring your own translator or rely on translation apps. The clinic director himself can communicate directly in English, so if you’re proficient in English, you can skip the translation step altogether.
3. Surrounding Facilities: A one-stop itinerary. Right below the clinic is the Hongdae shopping area, so you can go shopping and dining in the vicinity after your treatment. Hongik University Station is a transfer point for Line 2 and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line; it takes about 15–20 minutes to get there from Myeongdong/Dongdaemun. It’s recommended to schedule your appointment at 10:00 AM, visit Hongdae in the afternoon after your treatment, and dine on Korean beef in nearby Yeonnam-dong in the evening—creating a perfectly seamless day-long itinerary.
VIII. Is SWOMAN SELENA Dermatology in Hongdae a factory-style clinic? 🙋 FAQ: Common Questions
Q1: Is 604 New Taiwan Dollars really the price for contour injection? Will they say at the clinic that “this is only an introductory price” and then charge more?
A: 604 New Taiwan Dollars (₩26,000) is indeed the realistic price for a small-dose entry-level treatment, which corresponds to a minimal area of Botox application in a single area (such as the basic dose for crow’s feet on one side or frown lines between the brows). However, typical contour injection treatments (like slimming both Masseters + Filler for the chin) will cost more. The exact amount will be determined after a face consultation, based on your muscle volume and bone structure. Rest assured, the quote given during the consultation is final—no additional fees will be added later. It’s recommended to ask about the price range of the treatments you’re interested in right when scheduling via WhatsApp.
Q2: If I don’t speak Korean, can I really communicate at SELENA?
A: Absolutely. The clinic has a full-time Chinese-speaking director who provides seamless service in Chinese throughout the whole process—from booking via WhatsApp to in-person consultations and post-surgery follow-ups. The director can communicate directly in English, and if you’re not fluent in either language, the clinic also offers support in Japanese and Russian. Compared to some clinics in Gangnam that rely on external translation firms, SELENA offers far more reliable language services.
Q3: Are contour injections natural-looking? Will they cause a “stiff face”?
A: Director Lee Sang-kyung is renowned for his injection style that emphasizes “natural aesthetics.” Many users in South Korea have praised his results on Gangnam Unni as “natural” and “undetectable.” He doesn’t over-inject to achieve a noticeable V-shaped face; instead, he makes precise adjustments based on your natural bone structure. If you’re worried about a stiff-looking face, feel free to mention it during your consultation, and he will adjust the dosage and injection points accordingly.
Q4: Compared to the clinics in Gangnam, is the injection technique at Hongdae any less reliable?
A: The key to excellent results lies not in the location but in the practitioner. Director Lee Sang-kyung is an official member of five major associations, including the South Korea Fillers Society and the South Korea Anti-Aging Medicine Association. He used to be the director of the Myeongdong branch of Dr. Petit, meaning his technical expertise is on par with that of his peers in Gangnam. Hongdae’s advantage lies in its lower rent costs, which translates into more competitive prices. If what you’re looking for is a “great doctor” rather than an “ideal location,” Hongdae might actually be the smarter choice.
Q5: Can I return to my home country on the same day after the procedure? Will there be any issues with airport security checks?
A: Contour injection is a minimally invasive treatment. After the procedure, there might be slight red spots from the needle holes and mild swelling on the face (which usually subsides within 2–6 hours), and it doesn’t affect passing through security checks. It’s recommended to avoid flying on the day of the treatment—ideally have the procedure done the afternoon before and return home the next day to ensure enough time for recovery. Incheon Airport is only about a 50-minute drive from Hongdae (with the airport express directly reaching Hongik University station), making it very convenient.
Q6: What should I do if problems arise after returning to my home country?
A: SELENA offers post-surgery WhatsApp follow-up services—sending bilingual care reminders the day after the procedure and checking in on recovery progress after a week. If you experience asymmetry, excessive swelling, or other discomforts after returning home, you can directly contact the clinic via WhatsApp (+82-10-7262-9282) for remote guidance. That said, contour injection is quite safe—so long as you choose a qualified clinic and genuine products, the likelihood of serious issues is extremely low.
IX. Is Hongdae SELENA Dermatology a factory-style clinic? 📋 Summary: Who is it suitable for? Who isn’t?
1. Who is suitable for visiting SELENA? ① First-time visitors to South Korea for medical aesthetics who are worried about dealing with unskilled staff following a robotic routine—the director’s one-on-one consultation along with a sales-free service will give you complete peace of mind; ② Students or budget-conscious individuals with limited funds but who don’t want to compromise on quality—thanks to the lower rent in Hongdae, prices here are 30-40% cheaper than those in Gangnam; ③ Those who don’t speak Korean and are concerned about communication barriers—a full-time Chinese-speaking director will be with you throughout the process; ④ People who only have time on weekends—the clinic is open on weekends without any lunch breaks; ⑤ Those who prefer a natural look and want to avoid looking like they’ve had cosmetic procedures—prudent clients who value discretion.
2. Situations where it’s not quite suitable: ① If you prefer to show up without an appointment on the same day and don’t want to schedule in advance—all reputable clinics have waiting lists, and SELENA usually requires appointments 3–5 days in advance; ② If you’re looking for a complete full-face transformation in just one session—since the clinic director favors a more natural look, it might not meet your expectations of a “internet celebrity-style” face; ③ If you only want to undergo a single procedure at an extremely low price (such as trial packages under ₩20,000)—the clinic does charge basic service fees, so be cautious with prices that are too low.
3. Final advice. If you’re still hesitating between Gangnam and Hongdae, or wondering whether a clinic is just using a one-size-fits-all approach, my suggestion is simple: contact the clinic directly via WhatsApp (+82-10-7262-9282) and ask all your questions about the procedures you’re interested in, your budget, and your preferred time. You can gauge a clinic’s professionalism to a large extent by how quickly and thoroughly they respond to your messages. You can also check prices and make appointments online through the BeautsGO platform—all prices are clearly displayed, so there’s no need to worry about middlemen adding extra fees👇