In-Depth Analysis Report

Ilchi Plastic Surgery

Representative Director Moon Hyung-suk

Witch's Chin Correction Ponytail Lifting Anti-aging & Revision

Core Summary

Boutique Medical Services

Combines the advantages of large hospital systems with the meticulousness of a private clinic.

Specialized Expertise

Unique clinical experience in 'Witch’s Chin' correction (post-facial contouring) and 'Ponytail Lifting'.

Philosophy of "Ilchi"

Aims for 'Agreement' between patient expectations and surgical results, pursuing natural beauty.

Growing International Presence

Expanding reputation through attracting overseas patients (Japan, Taiwan) and academic exchanges.

Representative Director Moon Hyung-suk

Education & Board Certification

  • Graduated from Kyung Hee University College of Medicine (2008).
  • Obtained board certification in plastic surgery at Kyung Hee Medical Center (2013).
  • Lifetime member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
  • Active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).

Key Career & Technical Evolution

  • **Former) Director at Secret Plastic Surgery (2016-2019):** Accumulated early clinical experience.
  • **Former) Director at DA Plastic Surgery (2019-2023):** Specialized in Lifting and Reconstruction/Restoration after encountering numerous side effects (e.g., Witch's Chin) post-facial contouring.
  • **Former) Director at NOTE Plastic Surgery (2023-2024):** Refined final clinical capabilities.
  • **Current) Representative Director at Ilchi Plastic Surgery:** Opened a clinic reflecting his own philosophy.

Academic Activities & Research Achievements

  • **2016 American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS):** Presented on dynamic scleral show correction in Asians.
  • **2016 British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS):** Presented on nasolabial fold correction.
  • **2023 International Conference of the Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (APS 2023):** Presented 'Witch's Chin Transparent Muscle Repositioning Plus' and '3R Surgical Method'.

Hospital Overview & Philosophy

Hospital Information & Location

  • **Location:** 3rd Floor, Glaston Building, 108 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Near Sinnonhyeon, Gangnam, Nonhyeon Stations).
  • **Medical Hours:** Weekdays 09:00~18:00 (Friday Night Clinic ~20:30), Saturday 09:00~15:00.
  • **Scale:** Operated under a single representative director system, ensuring responsible treatment and blocking the risk of shadow doctors.

Brand Philosophy: "Ilchi (一致)"

The hospital name 'Ilchi' signifies "to make the customer's expectations and the surgical result become one." It embodies the motto "to ensure the customer's satisfaction and trust in the medical staff align."

This philosophy pursues 'Naturalistic Plastic Surgery,' harmonizing modern beauty based on individual unique features rather than excessive procedures.

Safety & Convenience Systems

  • **Safety System:** Operates an emergency response system, post-procedure management system, and real-name system for medical staff.
  • **Facilities:** Equipped with a dedicated rest area and structured to prioritize private consultation and recovery.

Core Clinical Competencies

Ilchi Plastic Surgery adopts a 'Selection and Concentration' strategy, specializing in **Anti-aging (Lifting)** and **Revision/Restoration** procedures.

Witch’s Chin Correction

Dr. Moon Hyung-suk's most differentiated signature surgery. It corrects the phenomenon where the chin muscle (Mentalis muscle) sags after facial contouring, making the chin look pointed and long.

  • **3R Surgical Method:** A concept independently devised by Dr. Moon since 2018 (Reconstruction, Repositioning, and Restoration).
  • **Transparent Muscle Repositioning Plus:** Innovatively fixes soft tissues (muscle, fat, skin) using flap surgery without bone drilling. Combines intraoral and submental incisions to restore the muscle to its original position.
  • **Effect:** Restores the C-curl line of the chin tip, provides a V-line effect, and improves functional discomfort.

Ponytail Lifting

An endoscopic lifting surgery providing stronger effects than thread lifting with less burden than traditional face lifts.

  • **Surgical Principle:** Uses an endoscope through minimal scalp/behind-ear incisions. Involves deep dissection of ligaments and lifting of the SMAS layer.
  • **Differentiation:** Precise dissection (endoscope) minimizes bleeding/bruising, accelerating recovery. Designs the overall face flow for a natural 'ponytail' lifting effect.
  • **Target:** Ideal for patients with cheek sagging after facial contouring or those in their 30s-40s seeking less invasive lifting.

Recovery Eye Revision

High-difficulty eye surgery to resolve dissatisfaction or failure from previous surgeries.

  • **Features:** Corrects issues like "sausage eyes," scars, asymmetry, or unraveling. Focuses on regaining a natural eye shape while minimizing tissue damage through 'line restoration' and 'natural adhesion' techniques.
  • **Middle-aged Eye Surgery:** Addresses eyelid sagging caused by aging, including upper and lower blepharoplasty.

International Reputation

Ilchi Plastic Surgery has gained significant awareness in the Japanese and Taiwanese markets, driven by Dr. Moon Hyung-suk's specialized skills and the rise of K-Beauty.

Japan Market

  • **Consultation Events:** Regular events held in Tokyo (Ginza) and Osaka, often in cooperation with 'WOM Clinic' in Ginza.
  • **Local Reaction:** High trust in the doctor's explanations and significant demand for Korea's advanced lifting technology (Ponytail Lifting) and Witch's Chin correction, a specialization rarely found in Japan.
  • **Medical Staff Exchange:** Japanese plastic surgeons visit Korea to observe Dr. Moon's surgeries, admiring his "Artistic dissection."

Taiwan Market

  • **Market Characteristics:** Taiwanese patients are often open to invasive surgeries and prefer definite results.
  • **Activities:** Consultation events in Taiwan show high interest in Witch's Chin and Ponytail Lifting. Increasing numbers choose surgery in Korea due to perceived superior technology and results compared to local options.

Reputation Analysis

Analyzed by synthesizing data from various platforms (Gangnam Unni, Babitalk, Sungyesa, Google, etc.).

Positive Reviews (Pros)

  • **Expertise:** Highly praised for solving complex issues like 'Witch's Chin' or 'Sagging after Contouring' that other hospitals find difficult. Patients note precise diagnoses and absence of excessive treatment.
  • **Surgical Results:** Many reviews highlight minimal scarring (Ponytail Lifting, behind ears, hairline) and fast recovery, with high satisfaction regarding natural line improvement.
  • **Kindness:** Consistent positive feedback on the kind and detailed responses from both the consultation manager and the director. This meticulous explanation is a major trust-building factor, especially for Japanese patients.

Considerations & Potential Drawbacks (Cons)

  • **Cost:** Positioned as premium surgery, pricing may be higher compared to low-cost alternatives (e.g., Ponytail Lifting approx. 3.85 million KRW, Witch's Chin Lifting approx. 2.75 million KRW).
  • **Reservation Waiting:** As a single representative director system, consultation and surgery reservations can be backed up, compounded by overseas consultation schedules.
  • **Realistic Expectations:** The director emphasizes that, like all plastic surgeries, results can vary based on individual skin type or previous surgical history (especially the number of contouring surgeries).

Conclusion

SWOT Analysis

Strengths: Dr. Moon Hyung-suk's unique 'Witch's Chin Correction' and 'Ponytail Lifting' technical skills, single-person responsible treatment system, high surgical perfection.
Weaknesses: Physical limit on the number of surgeries due to the single director system (possibility of reservation waiting), relatively high price range.
Opportunities: Explosive increase in demand in Asian regions (Japan, Taiwan), expansion of the lifting/restoration market due to aging population and those who had facial contouring surgery.
Threats: Proliferation of other hospitals using similar names, volatility of the overseas medical tourism market.

Overall Conclusion

Ilchi Plastic Surgery and Representative Director Moon Hyung-suk are defined as 'Specialists solving aging and side effects occurring after facial contouring.' Based on abundant experience in large hospitals, they have established a solid position by developing unique solutions to address 'chin sagging (Witch's Chin)' and 'mid-face sagging,' which were blind spots in the existing plastic surgery market.

It is a hospital that provides customized precision surgery rather than factory-style surgery to patients, and academically, it is recognized by fellow doctors through constant research and presentations. It possesses a level where overseas medical staff come to learn the techniques, making it a suitable option for patients seeking high-difficulty revision surgery or natural lifting.

Key Distinguishing Values

Customized Precision Surgery Academically Recognized Expertise International Technical Authority