Key Summary
Institution Overview
Abijou Clinic, evolved from Wynn Clinic (2006), is a large network, with its Gangnam branch serving as a core location operating extensive main and new buildings.
Medical Staff Characteristics
Representative Director Kim Deok-ha, a family medicine specialist, has led Abijou Clinic since its inception, focusing on non-surgical cosmetic procedures with an efficient 'factory-type' system.
Major Procedures & Strategy
Promoting 'Ulthermage' as a signature, the clinic adopts a 'high volume, low margin' strategy for popular procedures like Botox and fillers, ensuring high accessibility but often leading to short consultation and waiting times.
Reputation Analysis
Praised for price competitiveness and accessibility, it also faces criticism regarding sales-focused consultation, doctor changes, and mechanical processes, encapsulating the dual nature of a 'factory-type clinic'.
Representative Director Kim Deok-ha
Specialist in Family Medicine
Expertise & Qualifications
- **Specialist Qualification:** Family Medicine Specialist. Successfully transitioned into the aesthetic medical market, performing non-reimbursed beauty procedures.
- **Major Treatment Subjects:** Comprehensive non-surgical cosmetic procedures including skin, Botox, fillers, lifting, hair removal, and obesity management.
Career & Leadership
- **Leadership Role:** Has led the organization as representative director since the days of Wynn Clinic (established in 2006), the predecessor of Abijou Clinic. Demonstrates strong executive aspects.
- **Management Philosophy:** Emphasizes long-term brand sustainability with the message, "We will protect the 100 years to come without change, with the firm belief and principles that have kept trust with customers."
- **Organizational Impact:** As the representative director of the Gangnam branch, he manages multiple employed doctors and guides medical standardization and academic exchange for the entire Abijou network.
Abijou Clinic Gangnam Branch
Brand Identity & Market Position
Abijou Clinic is a representative example of a 'network clinic' in the Korean aesthetic medical market. Originating from **Wynn Clinic**, established in 2006, it underwent a brand renewal in 2016, changing its name to 'Abijou'. 'Abijou' is an abbreviation for 'Beautiful Visual', embodying the will to provide classy services to customers.
As a large franchise with over 18 branches nationwide, the Gangnam branch stands as its flagship, exerting immense influence in the Gangnam Station commercial area. It has secured public recognition by winning the "2025 Korea Consumer Appraisal No. 1 (Medical/Petit Plastic Surgery Category)" for 5 consecutive years.
Location, Facilities & Operations
The Abijou Clinic Gangnam Branch boasts a massive scale, operating separately as a **Main Building** and a **New Building** to maximize patient capacity and operate specialized centers for each procedure:
- **Main Building:** Located at Nude Zone Building, 9 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, utilizing the 3rd floor (Hair Removal Clinic), 11th floor (Skin & Lifting Center), and 13th floor (VIP & Worldwide Center).
- **New Building:** Located at 11 Seocho-daero 73-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, utilizing the 1st and 2nd floors to improve accessibility.
Reflecting the characteristics of the Gangnam commercial area, the branch offers night clinics and Saturday clinics:
- **Weekdays:** 10:00 AM ~ 8:00 PM (Lunch time 2:00 PM ~ 3:00 PM)
- **Saturday:** 10:00 AM ~ 4:30 PM (No lunch time)
- **Reservation System:** 24-hour reservations are available through KakaoTalk chatbots and online systems, lowering access barriers.
Major Procedures & Price Competitiveness
Ulthermage (Ulthera + Thermage)
The main procedure promoted is **'Ulthermage'**, a combination of 'Ulthera' (HIFU) for lifting the deep fascial layer (SMAS) and 'Thermage FLX' (RF) for skin tightening and collagen regeneration. It's branded as 'Abijou Signature' targeting premium anti-aging demand.
Petit Plastic Surgery & Botox
Botox and fillers are key revenue drivers. The clinic sets extremely low entry barriers with event prices, acting as 'bait products' (e.g., 200 units of calf Botox for ~120,000 KRW, hair removal for specific areas for ~20,000 KRW). Price competitiveness is maintained through bulk purchasing and emphasis on genuine products.
Hair Removal & Skin Care
Laser hair removal was an early growth engine, with demand high enough to operate a dedicated floor (3rd). They use latest equipment like Clarity 2, with package sales being common. Basic skin care programs such as Aqua Peel and Toning are offered at low prices to induce regular visits.
Reputation & Consumer Reaction Analysis
Positive Evaluations
- **Price Competitiveness:** Consumers consistently give high scores for low prices compared to other hospitals, particularly for hair removal or simple laser procedures, noting excellent cost-effectiveness.
- **Accessibility & Facilities:** Satisfaction is high with the prime locational advantage near Gangnam Station, extensive facilities, and pleasant interior design.
- **Systematic Reservation:** The convenience of 24-hour reservation systems via KakaoTalk chatbots and online platforms is highly appreciated, especially among younger generations.
Negative Evaluations & Concerns
- **Limitations of the Factory-type System:** The term 'Factory-type' frequently appears in reviews, criticizing the impression of mechanically "stamping out" procedures rather than offering personalized treatment.
- **Long Waiting Times:** Many complaints arise regarding extended waiting times, even with reservations. Delays are common at various stages, including registration, anesthesia, and the procedure itself.
- **Consultation Manager-Centered Treatment:** There is resistance to a system where doctor consultation time is often very short or skipped, with consultation managers (coordinators) predominantly guiding procedure decisions and inducing payments. Complaints about excessive sales (upselling) by managers are also raised.
- **Change of Medical Staff:** Given the presence of many employed doctors, a common drawback is that the treating doctor may change for each visit, making it difficult to designate a specific doctor for consistent care.
- **Controversies & Risk Factors:** While no serious medical accidents were confirmed at the Gangnam branch, a contour injection needle accident at the **Abijou Clinic Ilsan Branch** was reported, impacting the reliability of the entire 'Abijou' brand. Customer complaints (unkind service, reservation issues) from the Wynn Clinic days also persist, and consumer disputes (contract cancellation, refunds) are an intermittent possibility.
Comprehensive Analysis & Conclusion
Abijou Clinic Gangnam Branch and Representative Director Kim Deok-ha exemplify a typical success model of a large Korean network dermatology clinic. As a family medicine specialist, Director Kim Deok-ha appears to have focused on efficient hospital management and the popularization of beauty procedures, rather than traditional specialized dermatological knowledge.
The optimal choice for "consumers who want standardized procedures at a low price" and less suited for those desiring meticulous, customized treatment and extensive doctor consultations.
”This hospital can provide high satisfaction for procedures where result deviation is not large, such as hair removal, Botox, and basic lasers. However, consumers should be prepared for potential waiting times and a mechanical approach to treatment. Ultimately, Abijou Clinic Gangnam Branch can be evaluated as a hospital that has most advanced the 'commodification' and 'popularization' of aesthetic medical services.