During my trip to Hongdae in Seoul this time, I visited several Dermatology clinics. In the end, I spent an entire afternoon at Kate Dermatology in Hongdae. I originally only planned to get a basic cleansing treatment and some consultation, but I found that this clinic offers an excellent value for money among those located in the Hongdae area—with transparent pricing, fluent service in Chinese, and weekend appointments available, making it truly convenient for travelers with limited time. Below, I’ve compiled this review based on my own observations, the most frequently discussed points online,以及 common pitfalls you might run into.
- Budget-friendly options: Popular treatments such as Potenza, Rejuran, and the Korean version of HIFU come at relatively lower prices in Hongdae.
- Flexible time slots: Open from Monday to Friday until 20:30, and also open on Saturdays until 16:30 — no need to rush during weekdays.
- Friendly in Chinese: On-site support is available in Chinese, with an appointment response time of around 1 hour—perfect for those who decide last minute.
- Be aware of the risks: The clinic has a large team of doctors, so it’s recommended to confirm in advance when making an appointment whether you’ll be treated personally by Director Li Yuanshang.
My conclusion: If this is your first time visiting South Korea for medical aesthetics and you want to start with simpler procedures to test the waters, Hongdae Kate Dermatology is a great option worth considering. However, if you’re looking to address more complex facial contours or advanced anti-aging treatments, it’s advisable to compare several clinics before making a decision.
I. Basic Information and Transportation to Dermatology at Hongdae Kate
Kate Premium Dermaclinic in Hongdae is located on the 7th floor of Building 148, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It’s just a 3-minute walk from Exit 9 at the Hongik University entrance station. The building sits right on the main road in the Hongdae shopping area, with plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby, making it convenient to find a place to relax after your treatment.
II. BeautsGO Real-Time Schedule Card for Hongdae Kate Dermatology
III. Why Did I End Up at Kate Dermatology in Hongdae?
To be honest, I didn’t initially have Kate Dermatology in Hongdae in mind. That day I visited two clinics near Hongdae—the first one had high prices, and the second one didn’t handle Chinese conversations very well. It was only after that that I decided to enter Kate. There were three reasons that led me to choose them:
- Transparent pricing: The clinic provides a Chinese price list, making the costs of popular procedures clear at a glance—no need to ask for a quote first.
- Open on Saturdays: Many Dermatology clinics are only open until noon or closed altogether on Saturdays, but Kate stays open until 16:30, making it very convenient for weekend visitors.
- On-site Chinese support: There are staff who speak Chinese from the reservation desk to the consultation room, so communication is virtually barrier-free.
But I have to be honest—this clinic doesn’t boast luxurious decor; it’s more of a “practical” setup. If you place a high value on the atmosphere of a clinic and are looking for that boutique feel found in Cheongdam-dong, this might not be your top choice.
IV. A Step-by-Step Guide to Visiting Hongdae Kate Dermatology
This time, I didn’t use a booking agent — I made the reservation directly on BeautsGO and then went there. The whole process was more or less like this:
- Online booking: Fill in your basic information and the service you’d like to consult about, and you’ll receive confirmation within about 1 hour.
- Check-in at the clinic: The counter is right after exiting the elevator on the 7th floor. Just show your scheduled name.
- In-person consultation with the director: Director Li Yuanciang personally examined my skin and offered me two treatment options, without pushing any specific treatments on me.
- Confirm price and procedure: Treatment will only begin after the price is confirmed, and it takes about 40 minutes.
- Post-surgery instructions and checkout: Staff speaking Chinese will explain the precautions after the procedure, and tax refunds are available on-site at the clinic.
The overall pace isn’t rushed, but there’s definitely a bigger crowd on Saturday afternoons. If you’d like to take your time discussing things, I’d recommend scheduling an appointment on a weekday morning or right when it opens on Saturday.
V. Popular Treatments and Price References at Hongdae Kate Dermatology
The prices listed below are based on publicly available information from BeautsGO, denoted in Korean won. For the Taiwan dollar amount, 10,000 ₩ is estimated to be approximately NT$230. Actual prices may vary depending on promotions and personalized packages, so it’s recommended to confirm them after a in-person consultation.
In terms of price, the introductory treatments offered at Hongdae Kate Dermatology—such as Potenza, Rejuran, and Juvelook—are indeed slightly cheaper compared to similar clinics in Gangnam. However, for advanced devices like the second-generation Ulthrea, the prices aren’t particularly low. My advice is to give priority to the introductory care options for basic maintenance, while doing more comparison shopping when it comes to advanced anti-aging treatments.
VI. A Side-by-Side Comparison of Hongdae Kate Dermatology and Other Clinics in Hongdae
There are plenty of Dermatology clinics in the Hongdae shopping area. I took the opportunity to visit LOVÉ Lovae Dermatology and Jfeel Hongdae Branch as well. Each of these three clinics caters to different customer groups:
If this is your first time trying out medical aesthetics and you’re only interested in basic hyaluronic acid treatments or microneedling, Seoulcheil’s Kate Dermatology offers excellent value for money. If you place more emphasis on personalized treatment plans tailored by a specialist or state-of-the-art anti-aging equipment, you might want to consider LOVÉ or Jfeel as well.
VII. 8 Things to Keep in Mind About Hongdae Kate Dermatology
| Focus Point 1|Is the price really cheaper than that in Gangnam? |
The prices of introductory treatments at Hongdae Kate Dermatology are indeed on the lower side in the Hongdae area, making it more accessible for travelers with limited budgets.
| Focus Point 2|It’s super convenient with Saturday appointments |
It’s open until 16:30 on Saturdays with no lunch break, which is a big advantage for those who can only schedule cosmetic treatments on weekends.
| Focus Point 3|Fluent Chinese Translation |
From scheduling the appointment to post-surgery instructions, there are staff who speak Chinese, so you’re less likely to encounter situations where you can’t understand the doctor’s advice.
| Focus Point 4|Tax Refund Available on Site |
For international travelers, in-hospital tax refunds can save them the hassle of waiting in line at the airport—make sure to confirm the refund method at checkout.
| Focus Point 5|It remains to be confirmed whether Director Li Yuanshang will perform the procedure in person. |
The hospital has a large team of doctors, so it’s recommended to ask clearly when making an appointment whether you’ll be consulted and treated personally by the chief physician in charge.
| Focus Point 6|High-end devices aren’t the cheapest around |
Advanced treatments such as the second-generation Ulthrea and Thermage have prices similar to those at some clinics in Gangnam, so it’s recommended to compare quotes from multiple providers.
| Focus Point 7 | Practical-oriented Space Design |
The clinic’s interior design is practical in style, lacking the ambiance found in clinics in Cheongdam-dong—those who value a pleasant environment should keep this in mind.
| Focus Point 8 | Google Rating: 4.2/5 |
With 14 reviews and an average score of 4.2, it falls into the upper-mid range. Positive feedback mainly focuses on the price and Chinese-speaking service, while negative reviews are often related to wait times.
VIII. Contact Information for Hongdae Kate Dermatology via LINE/WhatsApp
If you’re used to contacting the clinic via LINE or WhatsApp, you can simply scan the QR code below. The official LINE ID is @871lhtrf, and they also have a business account on WhatsApp. Before making an appointment, feel free to ask about the available time slots in Chinese and when you can meet with the director.

LINE ID: @871lhtrf

Start scanning to chat with Hongdae Kate Dermatology
9. Do you need one-on-one consultation or help keeping an eye on the appointment schedule at Kate’s Dermatology in Hongdae?
If you’d like someone to help you compare prices, check available appointment times with Director Li Yuanxiang, or figure out which treatment is right for you, feel free to add me on WeChat — I’ll share with you what I know about the current situation.
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WeChat ID: xycheng2204 to add me and mention “Hongdae Kate” in the note.
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X. Further Reading: Guides to Hongdae and Other Dermatology Clinics in Seoul
XI. Common Questions FAQ about Hongdae Kate Dermatology
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