When considering plastic surgery in South Korea, one of the most important steps is researching real results. Before and after photos offer a glimpse into a surgeon’s style, technique, and outcomes. But for international patients who aren’t familiar with the Korean beauty clinic scene, finding trustworthy, verified photos can feel like a challenge.
Many Korean clinics do share photos online, but not all are transparent or easy to access. Some use stock images, retouched photos, or select only the most extreme cases. Others limit access to photos due to privacy regulations. This blog post will walk you through the most reliable sources to find verified before and after images of Korean plastic surgeries, whether you’re researching eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, jaw contouring, or facial lifting.
Why Verified Photos Matter in Plastic Surgery Research
Before and after galleries are not just for inspiration — they are your best tool to assess a surgeon’s consistency and style. They allow you to:
See the clinic’s actual results, not marketing promises
Evaluate the naturalness or intensity of their aesthetic approach
Compare outcomes across age groups, face shapes, or skin types
Recognize if results match what you’re personally hoping to achieve
Spot patterns (e.g. same nose shape for all patients = cookie-cutter surgery)
Especially as a foreigner flying into Korea for surgery, the more information you have up front, the more empowered your decision will be.
Types of Reliable Sources for Before and After Photos
Let’s explore where to look for verified, real-patient result photos — beyond what’s on clinic websites.
1. Official Clinic Instagram Pages
Many reputable Korean clinics maintain active Instagram accounts where they post recent surgical results. These posts often include short videos, recovery progress, and even patient interviews.
Examples:
@banobagi_eng – Banobagi Plastic Surgery’s English account with facial and body surgery photos
@idhospital_en – Specializes in jaw contouring and V-line transformations
@viewplasticsurgery_global – Diverse photo sets with helpful recovery day captions
Look for the following signs that the photos are credible:
Multiple angles (front, profile, ¾ view)
Consistent lighting and no heavy filters
Detailed captions indicating procedure type and timeline
Blurred eyes or cropped faces (a sign of real patient consent)
Instagram is also a great way to interact with clinics directly — you can send messages asking for similar case results.
2. Korean Plastic Surgery Review Platforms
Several platforms in Korea are built specifically to let users upload and browse reviews, complete with before and after images. While most are in Korean, some offer English versions or have photo-heavy interfaces that make navigation easier.
Gangnam Unni Global
The most popular plastic surgery app in Korea now has a version for international users. Here you can:
View verified reviews with images from real patients
Search by procedure type and clinic
Sort by date, rating, or popularity
Contact the clinic directly from the app
Photos on Gangnam Unni are usually user-submitted, not clinic-provided, which adds credibility. You’ll often see patients post recovery progress from day 1 to day 30.
KakaoTalk Open Chat Communities
Although not a visual gallery in the traditional sense, some public KakaoTalk Open Chats exist where users share recovery photos and discuss their experiences anonymously. You’ll need the Korean KakaoTalk app and may need to use basic Korean or Google Translate to participate, but these spaces often provide very honest, real-time documentation of surgery outcomes.
3. Clinic Websites with English Sections
Some clinics go the extra mile to translate their before and after galleries into English. While not as frequently updated as their Korean counterparts, these pages still offer valuable insight.
Examples:
ID Hospital Before & After Gallery
Dream Medical Group – Includes rhinoplasty, eye, and lifting results with minimal editing
April31 Plastic Surgery – Known for a natural approach and subtle enhancements
The key is to check when the page was last updated and whether the photos are labeled by procedure. Some clinics use overly edited banners instead of full progress sets, so use discretion.
4. YouTube Channels by Clinics and Patients
A growing number of Korean clinics now run YouTube channels where they share surgery journeys, recovery footage, and side-by-side results in motion. You’ll find vlogs by both real patients and doctors.
Examples:
Patient-run channels (search terms: “Korean plastic surgery vlog”, “before and after Korea”)
Watching recovery journeys on video helps you see more than static images: you can observe swelling changes, movement of the face, and the emotional experience of healing after surgery.
5. International Plastic Surgery Forums and Reddit Threads
Foreigners who travel to Korea often share their honest thoughts and photos in public forums. These platforms allow you to ask questions, compare results, and sometimes even message users who posted their stories.
Where to go:
RealSelf – Search “Korea” or specific clinic names
Reddit r/PlasticSurgery – Active threads on Korean clinics
Reddit r/KoreanBeauty – Includes aesthetic procedures, skincare, and mild cosmetic interventions
PurseForum – Korean surgery threads under “Health and Fitness”
Photos here are generally unfiltered and posted with candid thoughts, including regrets or recommendations.
How to Analyze a Before & After Photo Properly
Seeing the photos is one thing, but knowing how to interpret them is another. Here are a few quick tips for smart analysis:
Consistency: Are the lighting, angle, and facial expression the same in both photos?
Swelling timeline: Is the after photo taken too soon? Full results may take 3–6 months to show.
Naturalness: Does the change look believable, or is it overdone?
Skin tone, texture, and scarring: These often signal how aggressive or gentle the technique was.
Expression lines: An unnaturally stiff face may signal too much lifting or filler.
Don’t hesitate to ask clinics for more before and afters of cases that resemble your features. Responsible clinics will gladly provide them.
Verified Photo Access Builds Confidence in Your Decision
As a prospective international patient, it’s natural to feel cautious about undergoing surgery in a country where you may not speak the language. Verified before and after photos bridge the gap between curiosity and confidence — helping you understand exactly what a clinic can deliver, and what to realistically expect.
Use a mix of platforms — Instagram, review apps like Gangnam Unni, official websites, and community forums — to get a complete picture. And remember: the best clinics don’t just show perfect results. They show consistent, well-explained outcomes that reflect a deep understanding of facial harmony and patient care.