To be honest, before coming to Myeongdong for cosmetic procedures, the question that troubled me the most was whether lower prices necessarily meant inferior technology.
There are just too many claims on the Internet that “cheap things are of poor quality”. But after visiting LIJIN twice, I would like to say something that might earn me some criticism: in Myeongdong, “cheap” does not necessarily mean “poor quality”.
This article is a true account of my two visits to LIJIN—one time for Potenza treatment and another time to bring a friend for glow therapy. These weren’t business-related visits; I just felt that this clinic, under the label of “affordable Dermatology” in Myeongdong, was being somewhat unfairly misunderstood. If you want to see how high the “CP value” of this clinic in Myeongdong really is, read on.
💡 In a nutshell: If you’re looking for a Dermatology clinic in Myeongdong that offers “low prices without compromising on quality,” LIJIN is undoubtedly the top choice at present. The Potenza treatment starts from just ₩149,000—a truly competitive price in Myeongdong. Moreover, the chief physician, Huang Lizhu, has 15 years of experience and fluent Chinese skills, ensuring that treatments are not just performed haphazardly just to meet low costs.
🤔 Before going, I also wondered: Could there be any problems with something being so cheap?
I first learned about LIJIN when I read an article reviewing affordable Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong. When I saw the figure “Potenza for ₩149,000”, my first reaction wasn’t joy, but doubt.
- Could it be that the equipment is outdated, or that the effects are less significant?
- Could it be that the doctors work on a rotating shift, and whoever is available takes over?
- Will they start selling premium packages as soon as you enter?
However, since some friends of mine who had visited there said, “The director’s skills are truly remarkable,” I decided to give it a try. And my first visit completely shattered my preconceptions about “affordable Dermatology clinics.”
💉 Why is it said that “the technology is still acceptable”? Three details that I witnessed firsthand
Director Huang Lizhu – 15 years of experience in the industry + proficiency in communicating in Chinese; no need for a translation intermediary.
This, in my opinion, is the biggest difference between LIJIN and affordable Dermatology chains such as PPEUM and TOXNFILL. Many low-cost clinics operate on a model where “a translator accompanies you during the consultation → a rotating team of doctors performs the treatment → another translator sees you off after the procedure”; you might not even know the names of these doctors until you leave.
However, at LIJIN, Director Huang Yezhu (Dr. 황여주) handles the entire process—from face-to-face consultation to actual treatment. She will explain things to you in Chinese—not with simple instructions like “this area needs to be treated”—but by showing you a diagram of the skin layers and explaining, “Your spots are located in the dermis; using a regular laser would only irritate them, so I use the PTP fractional laser mode to treat them slowly.” Honestly, this kind of communication is something I have never encountered before at a price range of ₩150,000 in Myeongdong.
In addition to Dean Huang, the hospital also has three other deans from specialized departments: Zhao Zhiying, Gao Yise, and Cheng Shangrun. In total, there are 4 physicians and 5 assistants, making it a relatively large-scale independent clinic in Myeongdong.
2. Equipment is not just about “being functional” – only the latest models with full certifications are considered suitable.
When I was performing Potenza treatments at that time, I noticed that the device used was the Potenza (radiofrequency microneedling system, the mainstream model in South Korea since 2023), not the old-fashioned roller microneedling devices. The clinic also had equipment such as the Custom Thermage FLX, Design Ultherapy Prime, and Pico Plus – devices that are usually only found in the top 5 Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong.
To be honest, for a clinic costing around ₩1.5 million to equip with devices of this quality, I asked several clinics in Myeongdong, and most of them started charging at least ₩250,000 for Genuine brand equipment. The fact that LIJIN can offer such a price suggests that its business model relies not on high equipment costs to generate profits, but rather on selling large volumes of services and building a good reputation through the skills of its doctors.
3. The treatment philosophy of “small doses, multiple applications” – rather than completing the treatment in one go
The first time I received Potenza treatment, Director Huang told me, “Let’s start with the basic treatment first. Come back in a month, and I will adjust the parameters based on how your skin reacts.” It wasn’t the kind of “pay how much, get that many treatments” approach; instead, they truly considered how my skin responded before adjusting the settings for the next session.
In my opinion, this is precisely the core essence of LIJIN’s commitment to “not compromising on quality”. Being inexpensive does not mean neglecting quality; it means “using more efficient processes and management to pass on the savings to the price”, rather than “cutting corners at the expense of patients’ well-being”.
💰 So how cheap is it really? My actual expenses for the two times compared to the average price in Myeongdong
Without any evidence, let me simply compare the amount of money I spent with the prices of other Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong:
| Project | The actual price of LIJIN | Average price range in Myeongdong | How much can be saved? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potenza (for the entire face) | Starting from ¥149,000 | ₩200,000 to ₩300,000 | Save approximately 30-50% |
| Potenza + Juvelook 3centum core | ₩450,000 | ₩550,000 to 700,000 | Save approximately 20-35% |
| Potenza + Rejuran PN 4 centum core | ₩490,000 | ₩600,000 to 800,000 | Save approximately 20-40% |
📍 Want to make an appointment at the LIJIN Dermatology clinic in Myeongdong?
By booking through BeautsGO, you can enjoy Chinese-language consultation and schedule inquiries 👇
🔍 So where exactly lies the savings? Let’s take a look at what LIJIN “eliminates” from the process.
There must be a reason why something is cheap. I won’t tell you something like “they are just doing good deeds”. There are three reasons, in my observation, that can explain why the prices of LIJIN products can be kept low:
Elimination number one: the lack of a “luxury-class” service experience
To put it bluntly, LIJIN is not the kind of clinic where you’re greeted with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a half-hour consultation with a consultant. Its service style is “functional” – efficient, direct, and without any unnecessary formalities. The process is simple: you arrive, fill out a questionnaire, meet with the director in person, receive the treatment, pay, and leave. The whole process can be completed in just 40 to 60 minutes. If you’re expecting a spa-like experience of care, you might find LIJIN a bit too “rustic” for your tastes.
Step two: Avoid overly elaborate marketing.
Unlike some clinics in Myeongdong that flood Naver with massive advertisements and invite internet celebrities to promote their services, LIJIN relies primarily on word-of-mouth and repeat customers for its traffic. This also explains why its BeautsGO rating is 5.0, even though the number of reviews is relatively low. In fact, this is actually a positive aspect for consumers – after all, advertising costs are ultimately reflected in the prices.
Save three things: eliminate the intermediate costs associated with translation.
Many people might not have considered this: the prices charged by many clinics actually include “translation services.” However, at LIJIN, the Chinese language services are provided directly by the director herself—Director Huang Lizhu is fluent in Chinese and handles all communications in person, so there is no need for a translator. The savings resulting from this arrangement are directly reflected in the prices charged.
⚖️ Compared with other affordable clinics in Myeongdong, what makes LIJIN stand out?
I previously compared the services of LIJIN, DAN-A, and REBERRY in Myeongdong, and I also visited PPEUM. The following is a comparison based on the criteria of “price + technology”:
| clinic | Entry-level price | Doctor model | Chinese services | Who it is suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIJIN | 1.49 million yen | The dean personally handled it himself. | The dean speaks Chinese fluently. | Striving for a high CP value and advanced technology |
| PPEUM | 999,000 yen | Shift system | Translation and accompaniment | Pure budget priority |
| TOXNFILL | 500,000 yen | Shift system | Simple English | Minimum budget, per session only |
| DAN-A | 3 million yen | The dean personally handled it himself. | Translation and accompaniment | High budget + Official instructors |
In a nutshell: PPEUM and TOXNFILL are cheaper but sacrifice the consistency of treatment provided by the therapists (you never know who will perform the procedure on you today); DAN-A offers top-notch technology but at a significantly higher price; LIJIN, however, falls within the price range of ₩150,000 to ₩500,000 and delivers what few other services in the Myeongdong affordable price segment can match—you know exactly who will perform the procedure on you, and that person is highly skilled.
📝 Records of my real experiences during those two visits
First time: Potenza (for the entire face ₩149,000)
My main problems are acne scars and enlarged Pores. I had two sessions of Fraxel treatment before, but the results were not very noticeable. After examining my skin, Director Huang said, “Your acne scars are located in the dermis layer; the Fraxel treatments you had were too superficial. The needles of the Potenza device can be used to adjust the depth of the treatments, which should result in more significant outcomes.”
The treatment took approximately 25 minutes. After applying the anesthetic, there was only mild stinging sensation. On the day of the procedure, my face turned slightly red, but the redness subsided by the next day. Starting from the third day, there was slight peeling (a normal metabolic reaction).
Results after one week: The hairs became significantly finer, and the skin tone became much more even. When a friend saw it, they asked, “Your skin looks great lately—what skincare products are you using?” This kind of reaction – where it’s impossible to tell that medical beauty treatments have been done, yet the results are obvious – is exactly what Potenza aims to achieve.
Second time: Took a friend to get glow therapy (basic glow therapy costs approximately ₩100,000–200,000).
On the second occasion, I brought a friend from Taiwan with me. It was her first time undergoing cosmetic procedures, so she was extremely nervous. Director Huang first had her undergo a Visia skin analysis and then projected the results onto the screen, explaining each item one by one: “Look here—the surface layer of your skin has sufficient moisture, but the dermis is dehydrated, which is why your makeup tends to look powdery, right?” My friend nodded vigorously in agreement.
The procedure itself was also quite quick (about 20 minutes). It involved the use of Korean-style hyaluronic acid injections combined with manual injections (rather than machine-assisted ones); manual injection is more precise but requires greater technical skill from the doctor. My friend said, “It wasn’t as painful as I expected, and the director kept talking to me throughout the process to help distract my attention.”
📍 Address, transportation, and opening hours (practical information)
- Address: 3rd Floor, No. 55, Namdaemun-ro, Jung, Seoul Special City (entire floor available as a private VIP room)
- Subway: Walk 3 minutes from Exit 5/6 of Myeongdong Station, or walk 3–5 minutes from Exit 12 of Eupji-ro Entrance Station.
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30-20:30; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30-19:30. (⚠️ Open year-round, including Sundays.)
- Reservation methods: BeautsGO / WeChat / KakaoTalk / Official website (It is recommended to make a reservation 1 week in advance).
- Language services: Chinese (direct communication by the director), English, Japanese, Korean.
- Payment methods: Cash / Credit card / WeChat Pay / Alipay
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the prices of LIJIN really that low?
A: Taking the Potenza as an example, the full-face treatment costs starting from ₩149,000 – which is approximately HK$900 or NT$3,600 per session. This is indeed a very competitive price in the Myeongdong area. Compared with the average prices of other Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong, which range from ₩200,000 to ₩300,000, LIJIN’s entry-level packages are nearly half as expensive. However, it’s important to note that the prices for advanced packages (such as those combined with Juvelook or Rejuran) rise to ₩450,000 to ₩490,000 – which is in line with market standards and not indicative of “everything being cheap.” In short, the basic treatments are indeed affordable, while the upgraded packages are at market prices.
Q: Is it really possible with this technology? Won’t they just cut corners just because it’s cheaper?
A: Director Huang Lizhu has 15 years of clinical experience and communicates fluently in Chinese. She is able to explain your skin issues through visual illustrations. The clinic is equipped with fully certified devices such as Custom Thermage FLX, Ultherapy Prime, and Potenza. What truly sets her apart is her approach: “small doses, multiple treatments, dynamic adjustment.” She never opts for too shallow or too rapid treatments just to save costs. On both of my visits, she personally examined me and performed the treatments herself—nothing like the standard “consultation by a therapist followed by a quick treatment by a doctor” process.
Q: What makes LIJIN different from other affordable Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong?
A: There are many affordable Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong, such as PPEUM and TOXNFILL. However, many of them operate on a “translation + assembly-line” model – a translator accompanies patients during the consultation process, but the actual injections are performed by rotating doctors. The key differences at LIJIN are as follows: ① The director speaks fluent Chinese, so there is no need for a translator; ② The director personally conducts the consultations and performs the injections, without any rotation system; ③ All the equipment used at LIJIN is fully certified, so low prices do not mean using counterfeit devices. If you really care about who is performing the injections on you, then LIJIN is indeed hard to compete with in the affordable price range.
Q: What should I pay attention to when making an appointment?
A: LIJIN is open from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM from Monday to Friday, and from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM on weekends, without any holidays throughout the year. However, Director Huang Lizhu’s schedule is very popular, so it is recommended to make a reservation at least 1 week in advance. Reservations can be made through BeautsGO, WeChat, KakaoTalk, or the official website. Another convenient location is that LIJIN is located between Myeongdong Station and Eupji-ro Entrance Station (3rd Floor, No. 55 Namdaemun-ro). It takes only about 3-5 minutes to walk from Exit 5/6 of Myeongdong Station or Exit 12 of Eupji-ro Entrance Station; you can simply walk there after your shopping.
Q: What types of treatments are suitable?
A: Potenza (starting from ¥1.499 million): It has the highest CP value and is suitable for treating acne scars and enlarged Pores. HIFU/Thermage: These devices are fully certified and ideal for anti-aging treatments. Hydrating treatments/Rejuran: The package prices are reasonable. Laser freckle removal: The Pico Plus + PTP segmented treatment mode is suitable for dry and sensitive skin. Overall, LIJIN’s strengths lie in areas that require professional medical judgment, such as anti-aging, freckle removal, and acne scar treatment, rather than in basic skincare procedures where the results are generally similar regardless of who performs them.
Q: Are there any disadvantages?
A: To be honest, there are two main issues: ① The service attitude is more functional-oriented – it’s not the kind of luxury clinic where staff constantly offer trivial attentions like serving tea or asking about well-being. The communication is direct and fast-paced, more in line with the style of “professionals efficiently solving problems”; ② The post-operative follow-up care is not very meticulous. It would be advisable to ask the director to prepare a detailed care guide before the procedure (she can write it in Chinese), and you can directly contact them via WeChat if you have any questions after the surgery. In short, if what you expect is a “luxurious experience”, LIJIN might not be right for you; but if you value “professional skills at a reasonable price”, LIJIN is definitely worth considering.
📖 For further reading
If you are still hesitating about which Dermatology clinic to choose, these articles should be of some help to you:
- How much does the Potenza treatment at the LIJIN Dermatology Clinic in Myeongdong cost? I’ll share the actual price and my experience after getting the treatment – A detailed review of my in-clinic Potenza experience.
- Must-visit Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong: What are the strengths of LIJIN, DAN-A, and REBERRY? – A side-by-side comparison of these three popular clinics
- Recommended affordable Dermatology clinics near Myeongdong Station | Students’ reviews of 5 clinics – all prices clearly listed. Check out more affordable options in one place!
- Which Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong offer treatments performed personally by the clinic directors? I have compiled a list of 6 such clinics – for those seeking treatments conducted directly by the directors themselves.