Eight Plastic Surgery · Chief Representative Director Kim Han-jo Analysis Report

Executive Summary

Expertise and Leadership

Chief Representative Director Kim Han-jo is a board-certified plastic surgeon who graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine and served as a professor at Severance Hospital. Based on his training experiences in the US, Taiwan, and Sweden, he has incorporated international surgical trends and possesses high recognition, particularly in the fields of breast and nose surgery.

Specialized Medical Technology

Through its unique branding of '30-Minute Quick Breast Surgery,' Eight Plastic Surgery emphasizes shortened surgery times, exclusion of general anesthesia (implementation of sedation anesthesia), and rapid recovery. Additionally, they have introduced the 'Air-Untact' system to minimize the risk of infection during implant insertion.

Safety and Transparency

The hospital puts forward the eradication of shadow surgeries (ghost surgeries) as a core value, operating CCTV installation in operating rooms, an observation system, and a system with resident anesthesiologists. Dr. Kim Han-jo has built an image of an 'honest doctor' by criticizing absurdities in the plastic surgery industry through media such as YouTube.

Market Reputation

While receiving positive evaluations from patient groups who value natural results and safety, there are also mixed reactions regarding wait times and post-operative care communication. The hospital shows an active response to medical disputes and negative issues through legal measures and official channels.

“ “

Medical Staff Analysis: Kim Han-jo

Profile and Background of Chief Representative Director Kim Han-jo

Dr. Kim Han-jo is the founder and Chief Representative Director of Eight Plastic Surgery, a figure who presents the hospital's main surgical philosophy and technical direction.

**Education:** Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine.
**Training:** Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Severance Hospital.
**Academic Position:** Former Professor of Plastic Surgery at Severance Hospital and Clinical Assistant Professor.
**Overseas Training:**
- Plastic Surgery Fellow at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, USA.
- Rhinoplasty Fellow at UT Southwestern, Texas, USA.
- Craniofacial Center Fellow at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
- Breast Surgery Fellow at Viktoriakliniken, Sweden (with Dr. Randquist).
**Academic Activities:** Life member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Regular member of the Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Member of the International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS), etc.

Areas of Specialization

Dr. Kim's primary areas of practice are **Breast Surgery** and **Rhinoplasty**. He is evaluated as having optimized Western surgical techniques for Korean body types, based on his training experiences in Sweden and the US.

Medical Staff Composition and Collaboration

In addition to Chief Representative Director Kim Han-jo, Eight Plastic Surgery offers specialized care with resident specialists in each field.

**Dr. Chae Soo-wook:** Graduate of Seoul National University College of Medicine, former specialist at Asan Medical Center, in charge of Eye and Nose Surgery.
**Dr. Park Min-woo:** In charge of Eye, Nose, Breast Surgery, and Lifting.
**Dr. Joo Oh-young:** In charge of Facial Contouring, Nose, and Eye Surgery.
**Anesthesiology:** Specialists like Dr. Lee Jung-eun and Dr. Choi Yoon-hyung reside in the hospital to monitor vital signs throughout the surgical process.

Hospital Overview and Operational Philosophy

Hospital Information and Location

Eight Plastic Surgery is located at 828 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Sinsa-dong, Kukje Building). It is situated near Exit 3 of Apgujeong Station on Subway Line 3, offering excellent accessibility.

It maintains a scale of mid-sized or larger, utilizing multiple floors from the 2nd basement to the 2nd floor above ground, equipped with consultation rooms, operating rooms, and recovery rooms.

Operational Philosophy: Safety and Honesty

Eight Plastic Surgery's brand identity is inspired by the infinity symbol (∞), which is the number '8' lying down, using the slogan "Infinite Beauty." However, the core of its actual operational philosophy lies in **'Safety'** and **'Trust'**.

**Eradication of Shadow Surgery:** Chief Representative Director Kim Han-jo has strongly criticized the 'Shadow Doctor' issue through the media and emphasizes a responsible treatment system where the consulting doctor performs the surgery personally.
**Safety Infrastructure:** The hospital claims university-hospital level safety systems, stating possession of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), cardiac defibrillators, and Dantrolene, a treatment for malignant hyperthermia.

Key Clinical Procedures and Technical Features

Breast Surgery

Breast surgery is the field where Dr. Kim Han-jo's core competencies are concentrated, featuring the following specific systems.

1. 30-minute Quick Breast Surgery

**Concept:** A surgical method that dramatically reduces surgery time to decrease tissue damage and bleeding, thereby accelerating recovery.
**Anesthesia Method:** Designed to reduce the burden of anesthesia on the patient and allow for same-day discharge by combining **sedation anesthesia** (not general anesthesia) with intercostal nerve blocks.
**Technical Background:** Established a system that requires no blood bags (drainage tubes) or hospitalization by minimizing bleeding through precise dissection (Dry Pocket) using an endoscope.

2. Air-Untact System

Uses a method of pushing the implant in using air pressure without touching it with hands during insertion (presumed to utilize similar devices like Keller Funnel), blocking contact between the implant and skin to lower the probability of infection and capsular contracture.

3. 3D Dual Plane

Uses a dual plane method positioning the upper part of the implant under the muscle and the lower part under the fascia to implement a natural water-drop shape and texture.

Rhinoplasty

Eight Plastic Surgery's rhinoplasty pursues a 'Jaryeohan' (Natural and Fancy/Glamorous) line.

Jaryeohan Rhinoplasty

Aims to create a sophisticated image by raising the bridge of the nose while connecting the tip naturally, avoiding an artificial look.

Variety of Materials

Various materials such as septal cartilage, ear cartilage, autologous rib cartilage, and donated rib cartilage are used depending on the patient's nose condition and whether it is a revision surgery. In particular, Dr. Kim Han-jo emphasizes his experience with high-difficulty cases such as contracted nose revisions.

Functional Rhinoplasty

Offers surgeries that solve functional problems such as deviated septum correction or nasal valve reconstruction simultaneously with cosmetic surgery.

Eye Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Various Line Construction

Offers customized designs tailored to the patient's needs and the degree of eye protrusion, such as In-line, Out-line, In-out line, and Semi-out line.

Natural Adhesion

Mainly performs a type of non-incisional method that minimizes incisions and induces adhesion between tissues to reduce the phenomenon of unraveling and minimize scarring.

Safety Systems and Risk Management

Operating Room Safety Management

**CCTV Observation System:** Equipped with a system where guardians can check the surgical process upon request via CCTV installed in the operating room. This is a measure to fundamentally block suspicions of shadow surgery.
**Air Shower and Sterile System:** Operates an air shower system to block fine dust and bacteria before entering the operating room and implements university-hospital level sterilization management.

Anesthesia Safety

**Resident Anesthesiology Specialist:** An anesthesia specialist monitors the patient's condition 1:1 from the start of surgery to recovery. This enables immediate response in case of emergencies.

Response to Side Effects and Medical Disputes

**Capsular Contracture Management:** Regarding capsular contracture that may occur after breast surgery, Dr. Kim Han-jo values tactile and visual diagnosis over ultrasound diagnosis and has expressed his belief against recommending unnecessary revision surgeries.
**Medical Accident Issues:** According to search results, there have been cases reported in the media of patients complaining of side effects such as strabismus after under-eye fat repositioning surgery. In response, the hospital has taken a strong stance, such as contesting medical negligence and warning of legal action for defamation. This suggests that the hospital reacts very sensitively to reputation management and adopts a method of distinguishing right from wrong through legal procedures.

Reputation and Patient Feedback Analysis

Positive Evaluations

**Satisfaction with Surgical Results:** In many reviews, evaluations such as "natural" and "not excessive" regarding Dr. Kim Han-jo's breast and nose surgery results are dominant. His ability to design custom shapes considering the patient's body type is particularly highly rated.
**Quick Recovery:** Patients who underwent '30-minute Quick Breast Surgery' cite less pain and quick return to daily life as major advantages.
**Trust:** Dr. Kim's attitude of delivering honest medical information through YouTube acts as an element that gives patients confidence.

Negative Evaluations and Areas for Improvement

**Wait Times:** There are points made about long waiting times for consultations and surgeries due to his fame.
**Post-operative Care:** Some patients have raised complaints that the hospital's response is somewhat defensive or communication is not smooth when checking progress after surgery or complaining of side effects.
**Cost:** As it adopts a premium strategy, there may be a difference between event prices and actual estimates, and overall surgery costs are formed higher than low-cost clinics.

Conclusion

Eight Plastic Surgery and Chief Representative Director Kim Han-jo are solidifying their position in the Korean plastic surgery market based on **'Safe Surgery'** and **'Proven Technology'**. Dr. Kim Han-jo's impressive credentials, overseas training experience, and transparent system operation to eradicate shadow surgery are the hospital's greatest competitive advantages.

In particular, **30-minute Quick Breast Surgery** and **Jaryeohan Rhinoplasty** are signature procedures representing Eight Plastic Surgery, accurately targeting the needs of modern patients pursuing quick recovery and natural beauty. However, the lack of detailed patient management that can occur in large hospitals or the method of response in the event of medical disputes are judged to be factors that consumers should consider when choosing a hospital.

Overall, Eight Plastic Surgery is analyzed as a medical institution suitable for patients considering high-difficulty surgeries (breast, nose revision, etc.) or those who place top priority on the transparency of the surgical process and the expertise of the medical staff.

Core Values

Safe Surgery Proven Technology Transparency