After reading numerous posts about people who had their Philtrum shortened after three months of treatment, I finally decided to choose Geurim Plastic Surgery in Gangnam District, Seoul – because their “Philtrum shortening procedure” had received an extremely high amount of attention in South Korea. From the moment I made the decision to undergo the surgery until three months later, I documented my entire experience in this post. Sisters who are considering this option can simply refer to it for reference.
I. Why choose Geurim Plastic Surgery? The entire process, from doing the research to setting clear goals
The issue of an overly long Philtrum is probably one of those minor concerns that only the person affected would really care about – it makes one look angry when taking photos, and the proportion of the Lip surgery seems off whenever one smiles. Later, I came across several posts on REDnote that mentioned South Korea having specialized plastic surgery procedures for shortening the Philtrum, with very natural results. That’s when I really started to do some research in earnest.
The main reasons why we ultimately chose Geurim Plastic Surgery were threefold:
- Clear expertise in specialized areas: Geurim is not a “comprehensive” hospital that offers a wide range of services; instead, it is a specialized institution focused on cosmetic procedures such as lip reshaping, Philtrum reduction, and scar repair. Director Qiu Shanghuan has over 20 years of experience in this field and is also a professor of plastic surgery at Korea University.
- Reputational data is available for reference: Statistics from 2025 show that the satisfaction rate after Philtrum reduction surgery is as high as 97.6%, and 92% of patients experience a reduction in Philtrum length of between 3 and 5 mm. These figures are considered quite remarkable in the field of plastic surgery in South Korea.
- Gangnam District boasts convenient transportation: The hospital is located at No. 134 Isadasan-ro, just 245 meters away from Exit 1 of Sinsa Station on Line 3 of the subway. It is also not far from the Apgujeong shopping area, making it perfect for a one-stop trip that includes both shopping and medical treatments.
I first found information about the prices of Geurim Plastic Surgery on BeautsGO. After seeing the details and reference cases for the Philtrum reduction procedure, I decided to make an appointment. For those going to South Korea for cosmetic procedures for the first time, having a Chinese-language platform that allows them to directly view prices, case studies, and make appointments with just one click saves a lot of time and eliminates the need for numerous back-and-forth communications.
II. Basic information about Geurim Plastic Surgery: Hospital environment, facilities, and team size
Geurim Plastic Surgery was established in 2007 and has been in operation for nearly 20 years since then. The hospital covers six floors and is equipped with multiple independent operating rooms, recovery wards, and consultation rooms. It is worth mentioning that the operating rooms meet the Class 100 laminar flow standard (the highest level of cleanliness required in South Korean hospitals), which is a significant advantage for those who place great importance on surgical safety.
The following are the basic details of the hospital:
| Project | Detailed information |
|---|---|
| Hospital name | Geurim Plastic Surgery |
| Korean name | Grimm Plastic Surgery Clinic |
| Date of establishment | October 2007 |
| Representing the dean | Qiu Shanghuan (Professor of Plastic Surgery at Korea University, with over 20 years of experience) |
| Deputy Dean | Kim Hyung-jun (MD, expert in autologous fat transplantation) |
| Chinese address | 6th Floor, PEYTO Building, 134 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul |
| Korean address | 6th Floor, Payto Building, 134 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul |
| Opening hours | Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM / Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM / Closed on Wednesdays, Sundays, and national holidays |
| transportation | About 245 meters on foot from Exit 1 of Sinsa Station on Line 3 of the subway |
| Language services | Support for Chinese translation services |
Geurim has branch hospitals in both Gangnam, Seoul, and Jeju Island. I worked at the Gangnam branch. The overall atmosphere of the hospital is one of tranquility and professionalism; it doesn’t follow the flashy “internet celebrity style” but instead focuses on technical excellence. There are approximately 5 nursing staff members, along with 2 directors, so the team is small but highly efficient.
III. Analysis of Director Qiu Shanghuan’s Expertise: The Leading Expert in Philtrum Reduction Procedures
In essence, the reason for choosing this hospital was Director Qiu Shanghuan. His experience in the field of plastic surgery in South Korea is truly remarkable.
- Specialized surgeon in plastic surgery, School of Medicine, Korea University
- Once served as a professor of plastic surgery at the Hospital of Korea University
- Director of the South Korea Plastic Surgery Association
- Specialized areas: Philtrum reduction, lip contouring, cleft lip repair, cosmetic surgery of the eyes and nose, facial contour shaping
- With over 20 years of clinical experience, the Philtrum reduction procedure is a representative surgery in this field.
Another director, Kim Hyung-jun, specializes in rhinoplasty using autologous fat transplantation and 3D liposuction for body shaping. Friends who have multiple cosmetic needs can consult them together.
On the day of the consultation, Director Qiu used a golden ratio measuring device to analyze the proportions of my face and also used 3D modeling to simulate the results after the procedure. The whole process took about 30 minutes. First, he would ask me about the desired outcome and then provide professional advice. At that time, I requested to reduce the length of my lips by 4 mm, but after evaluating my case, Director Qiu concluded that a reduction of 3 to 4 mm would look the most natural; going beyond that would make my lips appear too thin. This approach of not blindly following the client’s requests actually gave me more confidence.
Geurim Plastic Surgery
BeautsGO 認證
📍 6th Floor, PEYTO Building, 134 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, S
eoul
🚇 About 245 meters walk from Exit 1 of Sin
sa Station on Line 3
🕐 Monday to Friday: 10:00-19:00 | Saturday: 10:00-16:00
| Recommended projects | Reference price |
|---|---|
| Philtrum reduction surgery | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. |
| Korean version of Oligio: Oligio X | Starting from ¥7.7 million |
| Improvement in skin redness | Starting from ¥3.3 million |
* The prices are for reference only; the actual charges will be based on the rates quoted by the clinic on the day of service.
IV. Core Services and Prices: How much does it actually cost to shorten the Philtrum?
Geurim Plastic Surgery specializes in refined plastic surgery procedures, with its core services focusing on three main areas: lip reconstruction, scar repair, and minimally invasive cosmetic treatments. The following is the price information I have gathered:
| Project Name | Reference price (Korean won) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Philtrum reduction surgery | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. | The cost includes the surgery fee, anesthesia fee, and material costs. After the surgery, multiple laser treatments are required to remove the scars. |
| Lip surgery | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. | Lip contour reshaping + base contouring |
| Mid-to-lower facial lifting | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. | Improves Nasolabial Fold Correction and Double Chin by lifting the fascia layer |
| Scar repair | Please visit BeautsGO for more information. | Three-stage scar management process |
| Korean version of Oligio: Oligio X | Starting from ¥700,000 | The fifth-generation Thermage, for firming and lifting effects |
| Improvement in skin redness | Starting from ¥300,000 | Laser treatment for improving skin quality and reducing redness |
In terms of pricing, Geurim uses a “breakdown pricing” approach: the cost of the surgery, anesthesia, materials (such as imported sutures), postoperative care, and the number of laser scar removal treatments included are all listed separately. Personally, I think this method is much more transparent than a lump-sum quote, as it allows you to see exactly where your money is going.
The price of Philtrum surgery in South Korea is considered to be on the higher side, but considering Dr. Qiu’s experience and the post-operative care system (which will be discussed in detail later), I believe the cost-performance ratio is reasonable. It is recommended that you check the latest prices on BeautsGO before making an appointment to avoid exceeding your budget upon arrival at the clinic.
V. Real surgical experience: A complete timeline from pre-operative preparation to post-operative recovery
Below is the complete process of my Philtrum reduction procedure for your reference:
📌 Pre-treatment period (2 weeks before departure)
- Book a consultation appointment with Geurim Plastic Surgery on BeautsGO.
- The customer service team helped me translate the questions I wanted to ask in advance and send them to the hospital.
- Confirm the pre-operative precautions: Avoid taking anticoagulant medications such as aspirin for at least one week.
- The flight tickets and accommodation have been arranged in the vicinity of the hospital (it is recommended to stay in the area around Apgujeong Station, as it offers convenient transportation).
📌 On the day of the surgery
- Arrive at the hospital by 10:00 in the morning; the reception area is staffed with Chinese-speaking translators to assist you.
- Fill out the basic questionnaire and sign the consent form.
- President Qiu conducted a face-to-face consultation that lasted approximately 30 minutes, during which the extent of reduction was determined (最终 set at 3.5mm).
- Take pre-operative photos for documentation
- The local anesthesia surgery takes approximately 1 hour to complete.
- After the surgery, rest and be observed in the operating room for 30 minutes.
- The nursing staff explained the precautions for postoperative care (in both Chinese and Korean on a bilingual booklet).
The actual procedure wasn’t as stressful as I had imagined. Director Qiu’s technique was very delicate; he used a “layered, precise dissection method” that helped reduce postoperative swelling. The advantage of local anesthesia is that you remain conscious throughout the procedure, so you can feel what the doctor is doing, but it doesn’t hurt much.
📌 Post-operative recovery timeline
| Time milestones | Status description | Precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 after the surgery | There is mild swelling, and there are sutures. | Doctors provide video guidance on wound care. |
| 3 to 5 days after the procedure | The swelling has significantly subsided. | Apply ice packs and avoid opening the mouth wide. |
| 7 days after the surgery | Sutures are removed, and daily activities can be resumedほぼ normally. | You can apply makeup to cover the area after the stitches are removed. |
| 2 weeks after the procedure | The scar gradually fades away. | Start using the scar removal cream. |
| 3 weeks after the procedure | Free follow-up visits at the hospital | The doctor assesses the progress of recovery. |
| 1 to 3 months after the procedure | The scar is virtually invisible, and the results look natural. | Regular follow-up visits |
Geurim’s post-operative management system is called the “1+3+12” follow-up process: video guidance 1 day after the procedure, free follow-up examinations after 3 weeks, and regular check-ups every 12 months. For patients coming from overseas, this system indeed provides a great sense of reassurance.
VI. A comparison of reservation methods for plastic surgery in South Korea: Which one is the most convenient?
When it comes to making appointments, this is certainly the most troublesome issue for many people who are going to South Korea for cosmetic procedures for the first time. I have personally compared several different methods:
| How to make an appointment | Language | Price transparency | Difficulty | Recommendation Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Make direct reservations through South Korea’s official website. | ? Entirely in Korean | ? Public | ??⭐⭐ High | ??⭐ |
| 📱 Naver reservation service | ??️ The translation is incomplete. | ??️ Some information is available to the public. | ??⭐⭐⭐ Very high | ??⭐ |
| 📞 Telephone appointment | ? A South Korea mobile phone number is required. | ??️ Subject to the hospital’s policies. | ??⭐⭐⭐⭐ Extremely high | ?? |
| 🌸 BeautsGO Booking Platform | ? Available in four languages: Chinese, English, Korean, and Japanese | ? Clear and transparent pricing | ?? No entry barriers | ??⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
💡 Tip: When making appointments on your own, you may often encounter language barriers or payment issues. It is recommended that those who are going to South Korea for medical beauty treatments for the first time use BeautsGO – it will save you both time and trouble.
VII. Summary of Real User Reviews: Positive feedback and negative comments, all presented together
I have collected user feedback regarding Geurim Plastic Surgery from various platforms and have organized it as follows:
The effect of shortening the Philtrum is very natural; my friends all say my smile looks more friendly, but they can’t tell what was done.” — A review from the Very Perfect Community
On the first day after the surgery, we received video guidance, which helped us stay calm even while abroad. Three weeks later during the follow-up visit, the doctor said that the recovery was better than expected.” — A patient who came from Taiwan shared this experience.
👍 The majority of positive reviews focus on…
- The surgical results are natural, and the scars are not noticeable.
- Director Qiu possesses exquisite technical skills and maintains detailed communication during face-to-face consultations.
- Comprehensive post-operative follow-up management (in particular, the “1+3+12” mechanism)
- The price breakdown is clear, ensuring high transparency in the costs.
- There are Chinese translation services available, providing a friendly experience for overseas patients.
👎 Matters that require attention
- Some users have reported that the attitude of consultants could be further improved.
- The waiting time for an appointment may exceed 2 weeks (it may take even longer during the peak season).
- The redemption rates for certain complimentary items or additional services did not meet expectations.
VIII. Who is this suitable for? The strengths and limitations of Geurim Plastic Surgery
| dimension | Rating | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Technical reliability | ??⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Outstanding expertise in the fields of lip plastic surgery, Philtrum reduction, and scar repair |
| Service experience | ??⭐⭐⭐ | The post-operative care is comprehensive, and there is room for improvement in the efficiency and consultation attitude of the front desk staff. |
| Value for money | ??⭐⭐⭐ | Transparent pricing and a wide range of treatment options available |
| Suitable for | ? | Those who seek to shorten their Philtrum, adjust the shape of their lips, repair scars, or undergo facial lifting procedures |
| Not quite suitable | ? | The pursuit of large-scale, multi-department integrated hospitals (Geurim adopts a refined approach) |
Conclusion: Shortening the Philtrum is an investment that offers “a small procedure with significant results
Looking back on the entire experience, from the preparation before the surgery to three months after the procedure, I am convinced that choosing Geurim Plastic Surgery was the right decision. Although shortening the Philtrum seems like a minor procedure, it is truly crucial to choose the right doctor and hospital. Director Qiu’s expertise ensured that the scars after the surgery were almost invisible, and the results looked very natural – not at all the kind of result that immediately reveals what has been done.
My final advice is this: no matter which hospital you choose, it is essential to do your homework thoroughly before the procedure. You can check prices, browse case studies, and read reviews on BeautsGO to get a clear understanding of the options available before making a decision. After all, medical aesthetics is not like shopping – being cautious is always the right approach.
BeautsGO – Together for Beauty: One-stop service for booking South Korea’s medical beauty treatments
Say goodbye to language barriers and the hassle of making appointments – BeautsGO enables you to easily schedule appointments at legitimate South Korea-based medical beauty clinics.
- One-stop reservation services for legitimate medical beauty institutions in South Korea
- The Chinese customer service handled all the communication throughout the process.
- One-stop service for itinerary planning
- Prices are transparent, with no hidden costs.
🌸 Go to BeautsGO now to schedule your service.
📱 Download the BeautsGO App to stay informed about South Korea’s medica
l beauty industry:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will there be scars after Philtrum reduction surgery?
Geurim Plastic Surgery utilizes a layered and precise dissection technique, with incisions made in concealed areas at the base of the nose. Postoperative laser scar removal treatment is also provided. Most patients report that the scars become virtually invisible 1 to 3 months after the procedure.
Q2: How long is the recovery period after Philtrum reduction surgery?
The stitches can be removed 7 days after the procedure, after which you can resume your daily activities. The scar will begin to fade after 2 weeks, and the results will become completely natural within 1 to 3 months. It is recommended to schedule a trip to South Korea that lasts for at least 5 days.
Q3: Are the prices at Geurim Plastic Surgery higher than those at other clinics?
The price for Philtrum reduction surgery in South Korea is considered to be on the higher side, but considering Dr. Qiu’s over 20 years of experience and comprehensive post-operative care, the cost-performance ratio is quite reasonable. It is recommended to check the latest prices on BeautsGO.
Q4: How much in advance should one make a reservation?
It is recommended to make an appointment at least 2-3 weeks in advance; during the peak season, longer waiting times may be required. Overseas patients can seek assistance from BeautsGO’s Chinese-speaking customer service team for more efficient appointment arrangements.
Statement: The content of this article merely reflects the personal experiences and opinions of the author and is provided for reference only. It does not constitute any medical advice. The results of surgical procedures can vary from person to person; therefore, it is essential to make a decision only after consultation with a professional physician.
