② How Strong
Is Director Liu Shuyan’s Qualification as a Juvederm Certified Instructor?
③ Is It True That Thermage FLX Is 20–30% Cheaper Than the Average Price in Gangnam?
④ The En
tire Process of Booking and In-person Consultations at a One-Director Boutique Clinic

Why Did I Notice JIONU in Cheongdam?
To be honest, when I first heard the name “JIONU,” I thought it was some new internet-famous brand. It wasn’t until I saw local Seoul office workers repeatedly mentioning this clinic in South Korea forums that I realized what it was—a Dermatology practice in Cheongdam that doesn’t run any ads but still has an extremely high customer satisfaction rate.
In the Cheongdam-dong area of Gangnam, there are nearly as many Dermatology clinics as convenience stores right downstairs from your apartment. Walking along Hodeong-ro, you’ll find plastic surgery or dermatology practices every few meters. But those that manage to thrive in such a competitive environment by relying on word-of-mouth are usually highly skilled professionals.
What stands out most about JIONU for me is that its director is an officially certified trainer for Juvederm in Asia. He isn’t one of those hospitals that merely carry the brand’s products under a licensing agreement; rather, he belongs to the elite group of trainers who can provide technical training to doctors across整个亚洲地区. In the field of injectable cosmetic procedures, there are very few doctors in entire South Korea who hold the AMI Trainer qualification.
Plus, it follows an ANEW-style approach of “small batches, high quality, customized services” — limited slots per day, consultations conducted by the clinic director in person, with no sales pressure or trickery. For someone like me who hates being bombarded by sales pitches, this is far more appealing than any so-called “state-of-the-art equipment.”

Get to Know Cheongdam JIONU in 30 Seconds
- Official Name: Cheongdam Jionu Dermatology Clinic / JIONU CLINIC
- Address: Room 201, Building S, Paragon Commercial Complex, 338 Hakdong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Room 201, Building S, Paragon Commercial Street, 338 Hakdong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)
- Transportation: About 10 minutes on foot from Exit 5 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station on the Bundang Line / About 8 minutes on foot from Exits 3-4 of Cheongdam Station on Line 7 / About 3 minutes on foot from Exit 4 of Geodong Station
- Lead Physician: Ryu Su-yeon — Juvederm AMI-certified instructor, former education director at Gangnam Seoul I Dermatology, with over 50,000 treatment cases
- Business hours: Monday/Friday 10:30–20:30, Tuesday/Thursday 10:30–19:30, Saturday 10:00–16:00; closed on Wednesday and Sunday.
- Founded: July 2023 (about 2 years)
- Clinic size: Approximately 600 sq ft, a boutique clinic run by a single director
- Chinese services: Assistance with filling out Chinese forms + translation support, plus WeChat follow-up after the procedure
- Key features: Same price as in Korea and China, fully reservation-based to control crowds, private consultation rooms for privacy protection, devices with QR codes for authenticity verification

The full process from booking to discharge
Since JIONU operates on a fully reservation-based system (no walk-ins allowed), the first step is definitely to make a reservation first. I booked an appointment at 11 a.m. two weeks in advance through the BeautsGO platform.
How to get there: Exit No. 5 at Apgujeong Rodeo Station, then head along Hakdong-ro in the direction of Paragon – it takes about 10 minutes. There’s an elevator on the first floor that goes straight up to the 2nd floor. The entrance doesn’t have any flashy signs – which in fact serves as a “filtering signal” in Cheongdam-dong; those who know understand what I mean.
Registration: The front desk provided a Chinese form with basic information fields for filling in personal details and main concerns. If you need translation assistance, please let us know in advance, and we’ll arrange help for that day.
Skin Analysis: Once you enter the private consultation room, a facial analysis is conducted using a VISIA or similar imaging analyzer. This step isn’t just a formality—when the clinic director discussed the treatment plan with me later, he showed me the analysis images to point out exactly where there were bony depressions and where dynamic wrinkles were present.
In-person consultation: The real highlight. Director Liu isn’t the type of doctor who just injects wherever you ask. She first examines your overall facial proportions—such as the height of the zygomatic arch, the angle of the jawline, the fullness of the nasal base, and the slope of the chin—before determining whether you need volume enhancement, structural support, or Lifting. No one pressured me to make a decision throughout the process, which is truly rare in Gangnam.
Treatment: After confirming the plan, you’ll go into the treatment room (also a private space). For injection-based procedures, a soothing anesthetic cream is applied for an adequate amount of time first. During phototherapy treatments, the clinic director will constantly check in with you to see how you’re tolerating it. Those who are sensitive to pain report that the discomfort remains within an acceptable level.
After the procedure: You’ll receive an electronic version of the care instructions before leaving the hospital (in Chinese-English or Chinese-Korean). Once home, you can use WeChat to ask whether mild swelling is normal. There will also be follow-up checks around three days later.

Price Reference Table (2026)
JIONU has a clear pricing strategy: mid-to-high end without being overpriced. The price of Thermage FLX is 20-30% lower than the average rate in Gangnam, while their Filler products are all genuine and come in proper quantities—no “buy one, get one free” gimmicks.
By the way, JIONU’s package deals offer excellent value for money. For example, their anti-aging trio package (Thermage + Potenza + Ultra Pico) costs ₩6.5 million, saving you ₩1 million compared to buying each treatment separately. If you’re planning to undergo multiple procedures, it’s recommended to ask about available packages during your in-person consultation.

How does it compare to other Dermatology clinics in Gangnam?
Simply put: if you’re looking for an experience where a doctor takes the time to understand your face, JIONU is a better choice; if you just want a quick hyaluronic acid treatment before heading out shopping, large chain clinics might be more convenient. There’s no right or wrong choice—it depends on what matters most to you.

8 Things You Must Know Before Making an Appointment
| Focus Point 1|How Strong Is the Director’s Experience? |
Dr. Liu Shuyan is far more than just a “licensed Dermatology doctor.” She is an official AMI trainer for Juvederm by Allergan — a title that signifies her injection skills have reached the highest level recognized by the brand, allowing her to demonstrate her techniques to doctors across Asia. In addition, she serves as an international trainer for Radiesse and is an officially certified Expert physician by Oligio. She once served as the head of education at Gangnam ID Dermatology, with over 50,000 treatment cases to her name. Such credentials make her one of the most highly qualified professionals in the premium Dermatology clinics of Cheongdam-dong.
| Focus Point 2|Pros and Cons of the Single-Director System |
The advantage is that the treatment process is highly consistent—from the initial consultation to the procedure itself and follow-up visits, it’s all handled by the same skilled practitioner working on your face. The downside is that appointment slots are limited, with a fixed number of patients that can be seen each day. During peak times (weekends and holidays), you may need to book two weeks in advance to get a slot. Additionally, the clinic is closed all day on Wednesdays and also on Sundays, so keep this in mind when planning your appointments.
| Focus Point 3|Is it true that prices are the same in China and South Korea? |
Yes. JIONU clearly states that the quotes displayed on site are the same as those offered to local customers in South Korea, and they won’t charge more just because you’re a foreigner. Anesthetic ointments, cooling patches, and post-operative care are all included in the price, with any special additional services being communicated in advance. This is much more honest compared to some clinics that offer “special prices for foreigners” (which are actually higher prices).
| Focus Point 4|The Truth Behind Thermage FLX Being Cheaper Than the Average Price in Gangnam |
The Thermage FLX 900 full-face treatment costs ₩3.5 million, while the average price in Gangnam is around ₩4.5–5.5 million. This price difference stems from JIONU’s streamlined operation model — no large marketing team, no heavy ad spending across various platforms, and no gimmicks like free aftercare services to attract customers. The savings are directly reflected in their pricing. Additionally, they offer QR code verification, allowing customers to check the authenticity of the treatment head right at the clinic.
| Focus Point 5|Pain Management & Friendliness for Pain-Prone People |
Many clients have commented that JIONU does an excellent job of controlling pain. For injection-based treatments, there’s enough time to apply an anesthetic cream before the procedure (so there’s no rush to move forward). During phototherapy sessions, the clinic director will constantly check in to see how you’re tolerating it, and you can stop the treatment at any time if you feel uncomfortable, with the energy level adjusted accordingly. If you’re extremely sensitive to pain, just let them know during your consultation, and they’ll take extra steps to ensure proper sedation.
| Focus Point 6|How thorough is privacy protection? |
JIONU really goes the extra mile in this regard. From registration to discharge, the layout is carefully designed to prevent guests from crossing paths with each other. Every treatment room is a private space equipped with blackout curtains and privacy locks, and some rooms even feature CCTV surveillance systems (allowing the director to monitor procedures remotely). The waiting area lacks large TV screens and product display racks, creating a quiet and subdued atmosphere. For business professionals or public figures who value privacy, this environment offers a great sense of security.
| Focus Point 7|Post-surgery Follow-up and Communication in Chinese |
International patients will receive an electronic version of the care instructions upon discharge (in Chinese-English or Chinese-Korean bilingual format). Back home, they can use WeChat to ask questions about their recovery—answers can be provided to queries such as “Is this redness normal?” and “Can I wear makeup on the third day?” It’s worth noting that the clinic director primarily speaks Korean, so complex medical discussions may require translation assistance. If you’re completely unable to understand Korean, it’s recommended to specify your need for a Chinese-speaking companion when making an appointment.
| Focus Point 8|How to Make an Appointment and the Best Time to Visit |
JIONU does not accept walk-ins on the same day; appointments must be made in advance. It is recommended to book through the BeautsGO platform (with a Chinese interface and instant confirmation of available slots). The best time to schedule an appointment is 1–2 weeks in advance, avoiding South Korea’s public holidays. It’s relatively easier to get appointments during weekdays from Monday to Friday, while Saturdays offer only half a day of services (ending at 16:00), with very limited slots available.
Need one-on-one consultation or help scheduling appointments?
If you’d like someone to help you compare prices, check when the clinic director is available, or if you’re unsure which procedure 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 e to add me and mention “JIONU” in the note.
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Related Recommendations | Other Dermatology Practices in Gangnam, Seoul That We Visited in Person
For the same Gangnam trip, I also visited the following clinics in person. Each has its own unique style and strengths, so you can compare them based on your own needs.
| Hospital | Location / Strengths | Highlights of My In-Depth Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Pangpang Pengpeng Hospital | 5 minutes from Daoshan Station | The world’s only clinic specializing in thread lifting | Over 20 years of experience in thread lifting, 31 types of threads, exclusive Pink Lift certification |
| PPOSONG Dermatology | Around Gangnam Station | Weekdays until 21:00 | Consulted by Dr. Song in person, transparent pricing with no sales pressure, available on Sundays |
| GOWA Dermatology | ANEW Lunxia Station: 1 minute away | Natural anti-aging solutions | Dr. Kang Hyun-uk, a graduate of Yonsei University – the savior for those who dread pain |
| Pêche Dermatology | Right across from Gangnam Station | Open year-round | Open 24/7 until 21:00, same price in China and South Korea, Naver rating 4.9/5 |
| Libhib Dermatology | Gangnam Station, 1 minute away | Female director’s private consultation service | Dr. Kim Soo-hyun, female director and PhD from Ewha Womans University – same price in Korea and China |
| Gold J Dermatology | Xuanling Station: 1–2 minutes | Same price in China and Korea | Dr. Lee Hyun-joo, Key Doctor for Restylane – Standard LDM treatment after procedures |
💬 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is based on an individual’s genuine experience and should not be considered medical advertising or a recommendation. It does not replace professional medical advice in any way. All prices listed are for reference as of 2026; actual costs will depend on the quote provided during a in-person consultation. Cosmetic procedures fall under medical treatments, so be sure to choose reputable medical institutions and consult with qualified doctors.



