Are you the same too – thinking of taking the opportunity of your trip to Seoul to get some anti-aging treatments, but with so many clinics in Myeongdong, how can you tell which one actually has experienced specialists, rather than just some quick, superficial procedures that take only three minutes?
Actually, it’s not just you; several of my friends also had the same dilemma before coming to Seoul. I spent a lot of time reading Naver reviews, checking the official websites of various clinics, and comparing the lists of the top 5 clinics in Myeongdong. In the end, I chose UMI Dermatology (CDU Dermatology).
Below is the complete record I have compiled, covering everything from how to choose a service, how to schedule an appointment, to my feelings after the procedure. I share this honestly with you all who are currently going through this process.
In a nutshell: UMI is one of the few dermatology clinics in Myeongdong where the director personally conducts consultations and specializes in anti-aging treatments. Director Yoon Jong-woo has 18 years of clinical experience, and the clinic is just a 1-minute walk from Exit 7 of Myeongdong Station. If you are looking for a dermatologist who truly understands anti-aging treatments, rather than a chain clinic operating on a mass-production model, UMI deserves to be included in your list of options.
Why did I choose UMI instead of other companies?
To be honest, there are simply too many Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong. Just on the map showing their locations in Myeongdong, there are over a dozen of them. But when I was selecting one, I based my decision on three criteria:
- The dean personally administered the treatment himself—not just handing it over to the nurse after the consultation.
- With a specialized background in anti-aging treatments – I don’t dabble in everything; I focus on what I do best.
- The transportation must be convenient – after all, there are still other things to attend to after the facial treatment.
As a result of this screening process, UMI is truly one of the few clinics that meet all three criteria. Director Yoon Jong-woo has 18 years of experience in Dermatology and anti-aging treatments, and he is a specialized dermatologist from South Korea—not someone who graduated from some quick-training courses for medical aesthetics. The clinic is located right next to exit 7 of Myeongdong; it only takes 1 minute to walk there, so you can go shopping immediately after your treatment—perfect.
The actual appearance of the UMI clinic: location, environment, operating hours
UMI Dermatology is located on the 2nd floor of 13, 7th Street, Myeongdong, Jung, Seoul. You can simply exit Exit 7 of Myeongdong Station on Line 4 of the subway and see the signboard in no more than 1 minute.
Although the clinic is not large, its interior is clean and meticulously designed. The waiting area is equipped with sofas and water dispensers, creating an atmosphere that embodies the concept of “small but specialized” – quite different from the long queues commonly found in large chain clinics, and more akin to a privately tailored service.
🕐 Business Hours:
- On weekdays (Monday to Friday): 10:30 – 21:00
- On weekends and public holidays: 10:00 – 17:00
- ⚠️ Thursday is a public holiday – don’t waste your time traveling on that day!
This is really important. I have a friend who didn’t check in advance and only realized on Thursday when they arrived at the clinic’s entrance that the iron gate had been closed – it was absolutely devastating 😂
So, what exactly is the price of UMI? I have compiled a reference list for your convenience.
To clarify at the beginning: The prices listed below are reference ranges that I have compiled from the official website, third-party platforms (such as Korea Clinic Guide), and actual consultations. The final fee will be determined after a personal consultation at the clinic. Since everyone’s situation is different, the prices may vary accordingly.
| project | Reference price (Korean won) | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Ulthrea | ₩800,000 to 1,200,000 | My face has started to sag, and I want to Lifting my facial contours. |
| Thermage FLX | ₩1,000,000 to 1,500,000 | My skin has become loose, and I want to tighten my entire face. |
| Hydrofiller injections | ₩150,000 to 300,000 | Dry and dull skin – looking for ways to hydrate and brighten it up |
| Botulinum toxin | Starting from ¥990,000 | Expression lines, face slimming |
| Filler injection | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. | Filling the Nasolabial Fold Correction, Tear trough correction, and Apple Zone |
| Pico Laser | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. | Spots, acne scars, uneven skin tone |
If you want a complete project quotation, you can directly refer to the “Myeongdong Ulthrea Quotations Compilation”. This document compares the prices of HIFU treatments at three clinics in Myeongdong. You can take your time to review it before making a decision.
My personal experience: from making the appointment to walking out of the clinic
To be honest, I was a bit nervous before joining UMI—especially since performing cosmetic procedures in South Korea while not speaking the language. But the whole process went much more smoothly than I had expected.
Step 1: Fill out the information. Upon arriving at the clinic, the receptionist will give you a questionnaire (in Korean, but you can use a translation app to assist you). The questionnaire mainly asks whether you have any allergies, what medications you are currently taking, and what medical beauty treatments you have previously undergone. In my opinion, UMI handles this step quite meticulously; it’s not just a form to be filled out casually before moving on.
Step 2: Consultation. Next, you will be taken to the director’s consultation room. Director Yin is truly very friendly; he will greet you in English first and then carefully examine the condition of your skin. He won’t immediately recommend the most expensive treatment option. Instead, he will tell you, “Your main skin issue is XX; I suggest starting with YY. If you want to take things further, you can consider ZZ.” This kind of professional advice, presented in a structured order, really puts me at ease.
Step 3: The procedure itself. This time, I underwent the HIFU treatment, which took approximately 1 hour in total. The director’s technique was truly very steady; throughout the process, he kept asking me, “Are you okay?” — although he did so in Korean (fortunately, I had learned that phrase beforehand 😂), his concern was genuine. The pain level was about 4 to 5 out of 10, which is completely tolerable.
How should one proceed during the recovery period after undergoing HIFU?
This is probably what everyone cares most about: how long does it actually take before one can show themselves in public after the procedure?
- On that day: My face was a bit red and slightly swollen, but not very noticeable. After the treatment, I went straight to stroll around Myeongdong, and with a mask on, it was completely invisible.
- Days 1–3: The swelling will gradually subside, and some people may experience slight bruising (I didn’t). During this period, avoid wearing makeup, drinking alcohol, or eating spicy foods.
- Week 1: I began to notice that my skin had become tighter, but it wasn’t the kind of dramatic “getting ten years younger overnight” effect – rather, it was a gradual, natural tightening.
- Months 1 to 2: The time when the results are most noticeable! Friends started asking me, “Have you lost weight? Why does your face look sharper now?” —— In fact, it’s just that my facial contours have become more defined 😂
- Months 3 to 6: Collagen continues to proliferate, and the effects reach their peak. This state usually lasts for 1 to 1.5 years.
💡 A piece of advice from someone with experience: within 1 month after undergoing HIFU, it is advisable to avoid other high-energy phototherapy treatments (such as lasers or IPL), as these may interfere with the regeneration process of Collagen. Director Yin also specifically reminded me of this.
How to make an appointment with UMI? A comprehensive guide to the reservation process
UMI offers a fairly diverse range of reservation methods. I have compiled all the available options for your reference:
| How to make an appointment | For more details | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Reservation via the official website | There is an online consultation form available. | People who prefer to complete their tasks first and don’t rush around. |
| Direct message for consultation | For those who want to quickly confirm their appointment times (highly recommended!) | |
| Phone call | Direct calls within South Korea | People who are capable of communicating in Korean |
| BeautsGO | You can check the schedule, compare prices, and make reservations directly. | For those who need Chinese-language services and aren’t sure which treatments to choose (highly recommended!) |
If this is your first time going to Myeongdong for medical aesthetics treatments and you’re not quite sure about the process, we recommend that you first read the “Myeongdong Dermatology Appointment Guide”. It contains all the necessary precautions and tips for foreigners when making appointments.
⚠️ Mistakes I made: Things you must know before going to UMI
⚠️ Problem 1: There is no Chinese translation available; language barriers must be taken into consideration.
The primary service language of UMI is Korean. Although its official website provides an English version, if one has no knowledge of Korean at all during on-site consultations, it may affect their ability to understand the details of the services offered.
→ How to avoid this: Before making an appointment, confirm whether there is an English translator available on that day. If not, it is recommended to bring a friend who speaks Korean, or prepare a list of questions in advance using the Papago app.
⚠️ Warning 2: The business hours on weekends are relatively short, so don’t bother traveling just for this.
UMI is conveniently open until 9 p.m. on weekdays, but only until 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. If you schedule to visit on a weekend and arrive in the afternoon only to find that it is about to close, you might run into time problems.
→ How to avoid it: If you plan to go on the weekend, try to schedule your appointment between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to ensure that you have enough time after the treatment to consult about post-treatment care.
⚠️ Pit 3: During peak hours, the time slots reserved by the director himself may be fully booked.
Many patients who come to UMI do so specifically because Dr. Yin personally performs the treatments. However, if your visit coincides with the peak season (such as around the Spring Festival, cherry blossom season, or Christmas), the schedule for Dr. Yin’s personal consultations is likely already full.
→ How to avoid this: It is recommended to make an appointment 2-3 weeks in advance and specify during the reservation that you want the director himself to perform the procedure. If the director is unavailable at that time, you can consider other doctors or reschedule the appointment.
👍 In a nutshell, the pros and cons of UMI CDU
| ✅ Advantages | ⚠️ Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| 👍 The director, Dr. Yin Zhongyu, personally performed the treatment, bringing 18 years of experience in anti-aging treatments to the process. | 👎 There are no Chinese translators on-site, so language barriers exist in communication. |
| 👍 Focusing solely on anti-aging treatments – no one-size-fits-all approach in our clinic. | 👎 On weekends, the business is only open until 5 pm, so time is a bit limited. |
| 👍 Just a 1-minute walk from Exit 7 of Myeongdong Station – extremely convenient transportation. | 👎 The prices of anti-aging treatments are relatively high (HIFU costs between ₩800,000 and ₩1.2 million). |
| 👍 We are open until 9 p.m. on weekdays, so our schedule is quite flexible. | 👎 Thursday is a public holiday, so don’t make the trip in vain. |
| 👍 The official website offers information in three languages: Chinese, English, and Korean, ensuring transparency in all communications. | 👎 During peak hours, it is recommended to book 2-3 weeks in advance. |
| 👍 You can consult directly via WhatsApp – we respond quickly. |
Who is UMI suitable for? And who is it not suitable for?
Not everyone is suitable for attending UMI. I have prepared a quick comparison chart to help you make a decision:
| dimension | Suitable | Not suitable |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ✅ If you want to combat aging and Lifting the skin’s tightness (HIFU/Hot Thermage) | ❌ Looking to treat acne or perform basic skincare routines? |
| Budget | ✅ Over ₩800,000 for a single anti-aging treatment | ❌ Not available for prices under ₩100,000 |
| Language | ✅ Possess basic Korean or English communication skills, or have the ability to translate independently. | ❌ I absolutely cannot tolerate an environment where communication is impossible due to language barriers. |
| Preference | ✅ We value the experience of our doctors and are willing to pay a higher fee for consultations conducted by the chief physician personally. | ❌ Looking to undertake a variety of different types of projects in one go |
How should people in different situations make their choices?
Everyone’s needs and budgets vary, so here are some suggestions tailored to several common scenarios:
- If you want to undergo anti-aging treatments but have a limited budget (within ¥9.5 million), you might consider UMI’s hyaluronic acid injections or basic Filler treatments. These options are relatively affordable, ranging in price from ¥910,000 to ¥300,000, and they are also effective. You can wait until your budget allows for an upgrade to HIFU later on.
- If this is your first time coming to South Korea for cosmetic procedures and you’re looking for a reliable starting point, UMI’s director-led consultation will give you great peace of mind. Director Yoon will take the time to carefully explain your skin condition and recommend appropriate treatments, unlike some clinics that dismiss patients in just three minutes. It is recommended to start with basic anti-aging treatments.
- If you only have one day available and want to complete anti-aging treatment in one go, UMI is located right next to the Myeongdong station, so you can go shopping immediately after the treatment. It is recommended to arrive at 10:30 am. The HIFU treatment itself takes about an hour, and you can still enjoy some Myeongdong dumplings after coming out at noon. However, please make sure in advance whether the director is available on that day.
My conclusion is: If it were me, I would make the same choice.
To be honest, UMI isn’t the cheapest clinic in Myeongdong, nor does it offer the largest number of treatment options. But if you, like me, care deeply about the experience and expertise of your doctor and are willing to spend a bit more money rather than taking any risks with your appearance, then UMI is definitely worth considering.
President Yin Zhongyu’s 18 years of experience in anti-aging treatments are not just decorative elements hanging on the walls; they are truly reflected in every consultation and treatment he provides. That sense of “this person really understands my skin” is something not every clinic can offer.
If you’re still hesitating, I suggest checking out BeautsGO first to see UMI’s schedule and latest reviews. Having some information in hand will help you make a more informed decision. After all, you only have one face, so it’s worth taking a little more time to do your research 🤍
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far in advance should one make an appointment at the Dermatology department of UMI?
A: It is recommended to book 2–3 weeks in advance, especially if you wish for Dr. Yoon Jong-woo to perform the procedure personally. It is relatively easier to get a schedule during weekdays, while demand increases significantly on weekends and during public holidays in South Korea.
Q: Does UMI offer Chinese-language services?
A: Although UMI’s official website has a Chinese version, communication on-site is mainly conducted in Korean. However, there may be English interpreters available during certain hours. If you don’t know any Korean at all, it is recommended that you bring an interpreter or use a translation app for assistance.
Q: How much does the HIFU device from UMI cost?
A: According to the official website and third-party information, the price of Ulthrea in the US version offered by UMI is approximately ₩800,000 to ₩1,200,000 Korean won (equivalent to approximately NT$20,000 to NT$30,000). The actual price should be subject to the quotation provided by the clinic on the day of consultation. It is recommended to check the latest prices on BeautsGO.
Q: Where is the Dermatology department at UMI? How can I get there?
A: The address is 2nd floor, No. 13, 7 Myeongdong Street, Jung, Seoul. Take the subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station, exit at Exit 7, and it’s only about a 1-minute walk from there; the location is very easy to find on the main street.
Q: What are the opening hours of UMI?
A: During weekdays (Monday to Friday), the hours are 10:30-21:00; on weekends and South Korea’s public holidays, the hours are 10:00-17:00. Note that Thursday is a public holiday! It is recommended to confirm again via WhatsApp before setting off.
Q: What makes UMI different from other Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong?
A: The biggest difference is that the director, Yin Zhongyu, has 18 years of experience in anti-aging treatments and insists on performing them personally – which is relatively rare among chain clinics in Myeongdong. UMI positions itself as a specialized anti-aging clinic, rather than a general practice facility that offers a wide range of services.
📖 For further reading
If you are still hesitating about which Dermatology clinic to choose, these articles should be of some help to you:
- Top 5 Recommended Dermatology Clinics in Myeongdong | 2026 Latest Reviews and Selection Guide for Foreign Visitors — Read this first before choosing a clinic to get a clear understanding of the options in Myeongdong’s Dermatology sector.
- Myeongdong Dermatology Guide for Beginners and Experts | 13 practical tips for everyone – Covers all essential information related to Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong, available in one place.
- Going to Dermatology in Myeongdong for the first time? A must-read guide for beginners (2026 complete edition) – Everything you need to know from making an appointment to the post-treatment period. A must-read for first-time visitors.