Analysis Report

Umji Clinic

Representative Director Seo Jae-hwa In-depth Analysis

Well-aging Personalized Korean Medicine Women's Health

Key Insights

Specialty & Identity

Umji Clinic defines obesity as 'chronic inflammation' and a 'disease,' specializing in treatment for women over 40 with hormonal changes, menopause, and metabolic syndrome.

Director Seo Jae-hwa's Expertise

With 19 years of clinical experience, Director Seo is a Kyung Hee University alumnus and influencer promoting 'sustainable diet' and 'Well-aging' via broadcast and YouTube.

Differentiated Treatment

Features a 7-step diagnosis, customized herbal prescriptions (velvet antler), Umji Lipo, thread embedding, and a crucial 3-month post-care management system.

Reputation & Public Opinion

Highly praised for meticulous, individualized care; however, the customized nature leads to relatively higher costs and potential waiting times.

Representative Director Seo Jae-hwa

Profile Summary

Representative Director Seo Jae-hwa is the founder and lead medical staff of Umji Clinic, distinguished by approximately 19 years of clinical expertise. An alumna of Kyung Hee University's Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, she actively engages with the public through clinical practice, broadcasting, writing, and her popular YouTube channel, 'Seo Jae-hwa TV,' spreading her philosophy of 'sustainable diet' and 'Well-aging.'

Education & Key Career

  • **Education:** Graduated from Kyung Hee University Graduate School of East-West Medical Science and Ph.D. course in Korean Medicine.
  • **Clinical Experience:** Approximately 19 years of clinical experience (as of 2025).
  • **Key Positions:** Representative Director, Umji Clinic; Public Relations Commissioner, Seoul Korean Medicine Association; Delegate, Gangnam-gu Korean Medicine Association; Former Korean Medicine Doctor, MBC In-house Clinic.
  • **Awards:** Recipient of the Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairman's Commendation and the Seoul Korean Medicine Association Service Award.

Media Activities & Publications

Director Seo Jae-hwa is a prominent 'health mentor' in media.

  • **Broadcasting:** Appeared as an advisory Korean medicine doctor on SBS <Good Morning>, Channel A <Birth of a Body God>, TV Chosun <Kernel>, MBN <Healthy Herbal Doctor>, and other health information programs.
  • **Books:** Authored 《Sustainable Diet》 (estimated publication 2025), focusing on diet methodology for women in their 40s, hormone management, and lifestyle correction.
  • **YouTube Channel ('Seo Jae-hwa TV'):** Operates a channel with over 4,900 subscribers, discussing 'Muscle Diet,' 'Gut Bacteria and Obesity,' and 'Menopause Management.'

Umji Clinic: Philosophy & Information

Core Philosophy: Obesity is a Disease

Umji Clinic defines obesity not as a simple cosmetic issue but as a 'chronic inflammatory state' requiring treatment. Representative Director Seo Jae-hwa emphasizes, "When you pass the age of 40, weight naturally increases due to aging, and managing this healthily is important."

The clinic's operational policy aims for 'Well-aging'—improving the patient's quality of life and aiming for healthy aging—through a 'healthy diet' that selectively reduces body fat while maintaining muscle mass, rather than excessive fasting or short-term weight loss.

Target Demographics

The main patient demographic consists of women in their 30s to 50s experiencing rapid weight gain due to hormonal changes. The clinic focuses on treating patients who have not seen results with general diets due to accompanying underlying conditions such as menopause, postpartum obesity, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Clinic Operation Information

Location

12F, BIO Building, 107 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Near Sinsa Station Exit 7)

Treatment Hours

  • Mon/Fri: 10:00 ~ 18:00
  • Tue/Thu: 10:00 ~ 20:00 (Night Clinic)
  • Sat: 10:00 ~ 15:00 (Open without lunch break)
  • Wed/Sun/Public Holidays: Closed

Reservation & Consultation

Operated by reservation via KakaoTalk channel, Naver Booking, and phone consultation. Partially supports non-face-to-face treatment.

Major Treatment Programs

7-Step Diagnosis System

A systematic process to analyze the patient's constitution, causes of obesity (stress, hormones, edema), and lifestyle habits from multiple angles.

  • Inbody tests
  • Stress tests
  • Body shape analysis
  • Individual customized treatment plan

Customized Herbal Prescription

1:1 customized herbal medicine, directly prescribed and brewed considering liver enzymes, underlying diseases (hypertension, diabetes), and constitution.

  • **Umji Gongjindan & Diet Herbal Medicine:** Tailored for individual needs.
  • **Use of Velvet Antler:** Top-grade velvet antler (tips) to prevent energy depletion, immune decline, and activate metabolism.
  • **Safety:** Emphasizes safe medicinal herbs, taken by the director and her family.

External Procedures

Complementary external treatments for localized fat reduction and body balance.

  • **Umji Lipo (Lipolysis Pharmacopuncture):** Breaks down fat in stubborn areas and aids lymph circulation.
  • **Thread Embedding Therapy (Maeseon):** Induces collagen production, increases skin elasticity, and provides a lifting effect.
  • **Chuna Manual Therapy:** Corrects spine and pelvis imbalances to improve circulation if obesity is linked to body imbalance.

Post-Management System

A 3-month responsibility management system operated after treatment ends to prevent the yo-yo effect and help patients maintain their weight.

Hospital Reputation & Analysis

Positive Evaluations & Strengths

  • Professionalism & Meticulous Care:

    Patients highly rate Director Seo Jae-hwa's meticulous condition checks during consultations and continuous management via KakaoTalk. Praised as "A female doctor who knows a woman's heart," demonstrating high understanding of female patients' psychological and physical difficulties.

  • Health-Centered Approach:

    Numerous reviews highlight improvements in accompanying symptoms like insomnia, menstrual cramps, and edema, not just weight loss, indicating the effectiveness of the holistic Korean medicine approach.

  • High Ratings:

    Maintains a high rating (around 9.0/10) on cosmetic medical platforms like Gangnam Unni, with many confirmed patient intentions to revisit.

Considerations & Criticisms

  • Cost:

    Due to customized herbal medicines and premium ingredients (velvet antler), costs are higher than general diet supplements or low-cost clinics. Estimated package prices around 2.45 million KRW can be a burden for some patients.

  • Waiting Time & Facilities:

    Some reviews mention tight parking spaces or waiting times, suggesting that reservations might not always prevent waits at this popular clinic.

Digital Communication & Information Provision

Director Seo Jae-hwa actively shares medical information through YouTube and blogs, explaining physiological mechanisms related to obesity (e.g., 'Gut Bacteria,' 'Glycotoxins,' 'Cold Hands and Feet') in an easy-to-understand way. This significantly enhances the clinic's reliability and contributes to patient inflow.

Conclusion & Recommendation

Umji Clinic and Representative Director Seo Jae-hwa have carved a distinct niche in the Korean herbal diet market, underpinned by their unique philosophy of 'Healthy Well-aging.' Director Seo's extensive clinical experience, robust academic background, and effective media communication solidify the clinic's professional standing.

This clinic is particularly suitable for patients who prioritize constitutional improvement and long-term health over rapid weight loss, especially:

Women over 40

Experiencing menopausal symptoms, metabolic diseases, or chronic fatigue.

Patients seeking healthy weight loss

Who aim to improve their constitution without harming their health.

Individuals prioritizing well-aging

Seeking to enhance quality of life and achieve healthy aging.

However, given its personalized high-cost treatment strategy, prospective patients should carefully consider the associated costs and treatment duration before visiting.