Key Insights
Dual Survival Strategy
Successfully integrates both offline surgical services and online telemedicine platforms for competitive advantage.
Proprietary 'Triple' Brand
Established unique surgical methods for eye surgery and facial contouring, trademarked as the 'Triple' series.
Telemedicine Pioneer
Recognized as a "Holy Land" for convenient and affordable hair loss and obesity medication prescriptions.
Specialist Versatility
Director Kim Ho-bin, an OB/GYN specialist, skillfully applies his expertise to the aesthetic medical field.
Director Profile
Dr. Kim Ho-bin
Representative Director, 111 Clinic
Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist
Specialist Qualifications & Peculiarities
Dr. Kim Ho-bin holds a Board Certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology. While primarily performing cosmetic surgery and dermatology treatments at 111 Clinic, his official medical specialty is OB/GYN. This is legal under Korean medical law, allowing specialists to practice in other fields, provided the institution's signboard adheres to regulations (e.g., "111 Clinic, Medical Subject: Plastic Surgery" instead of "111 Plastic Surgery Clinic").
Key Biography & Career
- Education: Graduated from Ajou University College of Medicine, Obtained Board Certification (OB/GYN)
- Major Career:
- - Former Director, Laprin Plastic Surgery
- - Former Director, Tiara Plastic Surgery
- - Former Director, Oscar Plastic Surgery
- - Current Representative Director, 111 Clinic
- Society Activities:
- - Regular Member, Korean Academy of Clinical Laser
- - Regular Member, Korean Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
- - Regular Member, Korean Academy of Aesthetic Plastic & Laser Surgery
- - Regular Member, Korean Society for the Study of Obesity and Health, Korean Academy of Clinical Health Promotion, Korean Academy of Primary Care, etc.
*Note: Kim Ho-bin (born 1962), former President of Korea Midland Power, is a different person.
Hospital Information
Location & Infrastructure
Institution Name: 111 Clinic
Medical Subjects: Plastic Surgery, Dermatology (Indicated Medical Subjects)
Address: 11th & 12th Floors, S-TOWER, 111 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Proximity: Near Exit 8 of Sinsa Station (Seoul Subway Line 3 & Shinbundang Line), part of the 'Sinsa-dong Medical Cluster'.
Facilities: Operating rooms, consultation rooms, treatment rooms across two floors. Officially registered for foreign patient attraction.
CCTV: Operation follows legal compliance requirements (disclosed on medical platforms).
Brand Philosophy: 'Triple One'
The hospital name '111', derived from its address, expands into the brand identity of 'Triple One'. This symbolizes three core values:
- Safety
- Naturalness
- Trust
It also emphasizes a '1:1 Designated Responsibility System', where Representative Director Kim Ho-bin personally oversees everything from consultation to surgery and post-operative care, reinforcing patient trust.
Major Clinical Areas & Procedures
Specialized Plastic Surgery: 'Triple' Brand
Director Kim Ho-bin differentiates 111 Clinic through trademarked surgical methods, emphasizing unique know-how.
-
Triple Eye Surgery
A unique method for functional (eye-opening power) and aesthetic improvement, covering upper/lower blepharoplasty and under-eye fat repositioning.
-
Triple Fat (Facial Liposuction)
Targets facial contours without bone shaving, utilizing 'Pico Fat' and 'Venus Laser' for buccal fat removal and double chin correction.
-
Q.O.Fill & Petit Surgery
Expertise in complex filler procedures (autologous blood stem cells + fillers) and detailed facial corrections like corner-of-mouth lift and dimple surgery.
Telemedicine & 'Holy Land' Phenomenon
111 Clinic gained significant public recognition through drug prescriptions via telemedicine platforms (e.g., Doctor Now).
-
Holy Land for Hair Loss Medication
Known for prescribing hair loss treatments (Finasteride, Dutasteride) at low medical fees, with over 10,000 positive reviews and a 4.9 satisfaction rating on Doctor Now. Offers cheap, quick, and convenient access.
-
Diet Medication Prescription
Active in prescribing obesity treatments (Saxenda, Qsymia). Telemedicine consultations are available until late hours (11:50 PM), providing high accessibility, supported by Director Kim's background in obesity treatment.
Reputation & Public Opinion
Positive Evaluations
- Cost-effectiveness & Accessibility: Praised by telemedicine users for reasonable fees, very fast prescription issuance, and convenient late-night consultations.
- Naturalness of Procedures: Positive feedback in plastic surgery communities for natural-looking results, e.g., lip fillers not being excessive.
- Friendly Service: Reviews often highlight the kindness of desk staff and the director's consultation attitude.
Concerns & Negative Evaluations
- Concerns about Factory-type Treatment: Criticisms that telemedicine consultations are very short (tens of seconds) and focus on simple prescriptions, leading to a "high volume, low margin" operation style.
- Difference in Perception of Expertise: Some patients are unaware Director Kim is an OB/GYN specialist, not a plastic surgery specialist. While legal, this information asymmetry can be a concern for consumers.
- Complaints about Surgical Results: A few reviews mention dissatisfaction with post-surgical outcomes (e.g., double eyelids coming undone), acknowledged as a general risk in cosmetic surgery.
Comprehensive Analysis & Conclusion
“ 111 Clinic and Representative Director Kim Ho-bin represent a successful case of establishing a 'dual survival strategy' within the competitive Korean aesthetic medical market. They effectively combine a boutique surgical presence with a leading telemedicine platform.
Offline Surgical Branding
A "Boutique Clinic" in Gangnam, leveraging the proprietary 'Triple' brand for specialized eye and facial contouring surgeries.
Online Telemedicine Leadership
A "leading prescription institution" in the telemedicine era, dominating the hair loss and obesity medication market.
Patient Awareness is Key
Patients should be aware of Dr. Kim's OB/GYN specialty for surgical choices, while utilizing telemedicine for its accessibility.