This article is my personal experience report of visiting the Dermatology department at DIORE in Gangnam, Seoul. To be honest, before going there, I was a bit skeptical about dermatology clinics in Gangnam – too many standardized procedures, too much rushed consultation, and the feeling of being treated like just another client. But DIORE completely changed my impression. From the moment I stepped inside until I left, I received excellent care throughout the entire process. Most importantly, all four directors of the clinic are graduates of the medical schools at Korea University and Yonsei University. The representative director, Dr. Lee Gwang-ryeol, even personally examined me, which is really rare among dermatology clinics in Gangnam.
Location and First Impression of DIORE Dermatology
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DIORE is located on the 9th floor of the Wanjin Building at 428 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam District. You can exit from Exit 6 of the Sinnonhyeon Station and walk along Gangnam-daero for just 5 minutes to arrive. This location is extremely convenient, as it is right next to the Gangnam Station shopping area, so you can go shopping and dining after your cosmetic treatment. From the outside, the building looks like any other commercial office complex in Gangnam District, but the 9th-floor DIORE is completely different—upon entering, you are greeted by a spacious and bright waiting area with a warm, off-white color scheme, giving you the feeling of stepping into a high-end café.
When I arrived at 2 p.m. on a weekday, there were only two groups of customers waiting in the waiting area—nothing like the crowded scenes at some popular clinics. The receptionist, who could speak Chinese, was very friendly and helped me with the registration process. She even offered me a cup of warm pomelo tea, and this small gesture immediately impressed me and boosted my first impression of DIORE.
DIORE Dermatology’s leadership team: Just how strong is the Department of Dermatology at Korea University?
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In my opinion, the biggest strength of DIORE lies not in its equipment or pricing, but in its team of directors. All four directors graduated from top medical schools, which is a very rare combination in the field of Dermatology.
Lee Gwang-ryeol, President of the Association — Graduated from the School of Medicine at Korea University, he has previously served as the president of New Star Clinic, SENIA Clinic, Only Plastic Surgery, Cheongdam OK Plastic Surgery, and Purebom Clinic. He is a member of several professional associations, including the Korean Association of Aesthetic Plastic Laser Surgery, the Korean Society of Dermatological and Obesity Plastic Surgery, and the Korean Society of Fillers. With such qualifications, he is considered one of the top dermatology association presidents in Gangnam District—not just another young doctor who started his own practice right after graduation.
President Zheng Zhongxun — Graduated from the Yeosu School of Medicine at Yonsei University. He has previously served as the director of the Gangnam branch of GU Private Beauty Hospital, the director of ST Plastic Surgery Center, and the director of the Gangnam branch of muse Clinic. He is a member of the South Korea Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Laser Therapy and the South Korea Filler Association.
Dean Lee Tae-kyung — Graduated from the School of Medicine at Korea University, he previously served as a member of the bio-signaling and telemedicine team at VUNO Inc. This experience is quite noteworthy, as VUNO is a company specializing in AI-based medical technologies, which indicates his in-depth expertise in this field.
President Park Sang-hyun — graduated from the Yeosu Medical College of Yonsei University, and is a member of the Korean Association of Aesthetic Medicine and the Korean Lifting Society.
DIORE Dermatology is not a mass-production model: how does the system of direct consultations by the director function?
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Many people worry that the Dermatology clinics in Gangnam are just “assembly lines” – 5 minutes for a preliminary consultation, 10 minutes for the procedure, and then patients are quickly sent away. However, DIORE is nothing like that. Their system requires the clinic director to personally attend to each patient, and it works like this:
- During the in-person consultation, the hospital director personally examines the patient, rather than letting a department head or nurse do it on their behalf.
- The director will use a skin analysis device to thoroughly examine the skin type and identify any problematic areas.
- Based on your needs and budget, the director will propose 2-3 options for you to choose from; we won’t simply recommend the most expensive one.
- The entire treatment process is carried out by the director who conducted the initial consultation; no other person will be involved.
- After the surgery, the director will personally explain the necessary care instructions and only leave once it is confirmed that you have no issues.
The entire process takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes (excluding the actual treatment time), and I think this pace is just right – neither too fast nor too slow. What really reassures me is that the director will constantly ask about your comfort during the procedure and adjust the intensity immediately if you feel too much pain. This is completely different from my experiences at other clinics; in some places, they just keep applying the treatment forcefully without caring if you are in pain, and the nurse would only say “endure a little longer”.
The in-person consultation experience at DIORE Dermatology: Why I gave it a perfect score
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Let me share my own experience during the consultation. I made an appointment with Director Li Guanglie, and the reservation fee was NT$910,000 (which could be deducted after the treatment was confirmed). At the start of the consultation, Director Li asked me about any previous cosmetic procedures I had undergone, whether I had any allergies, and what aspect of my appearance I wanted to improve the most this time. I mentioned that I mainly wanted to address the relaxation of my jawline and reduce the appearance of my Nasolabial Fold Correction. He first conducted a skin examination for me and then pointed out on the screen the areas where my Collagen had thinned and where improvements could be made.
Then he presented me with three options: Sofwave (₩1.2 million, with less discomfort, suitable for beginners looking to combat aging), Thermage FLX (₩1.09 million, offering stronger lifting effects but with greater pain), and the InMode+ONDA combination (starting from ⩹₩2 million, cost-effective but requiring multiple treatments). Instead of recommending the most expensive option, Sofwave, he suggested starting with InMode based on my age and skin type. This approach—free from aggressive sales tactics and filled with genuine advice—immediately increased my goodwill toward DIORE.
In the end, I chose Sofwave because I am really afraid of pain. Director Li said that the level of discomfort caused by Sofwave is approximately 3-4 out of 10, while Thermage is about 6-7 out of 10. After hearing this, I decided to go with Sofwave without hesitation.
The Sofwave treatment process and the actual experience at DIORE Dermatology SWOMAN Seoul I w
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After the in-person consultation, the nurse took me to wash my face and apply the numbing agent. The numbing effect of DIORE lasts for about 20 minutes; during this time, the nurse will show you the instruction manual and explain the working principle of Sofwave as well as the precautions after the procedure. I think this design is very clever, because it allows you to understand the treatment process while applying the numbing agent, thus avoiding any wasted waiting time.
When the treatment officially began, Director Li started by working on the cheeks. The sensation provided by Sofwave was somewhat like a warm massage, with occasional mild stings, especially in areas closer to the bones (such as the Forehead and jawline). But overall, it wasn’t really painful at all; I would give it a score of 3.5. The entire treatment took approximately 35 minutes, and during that time, the director would regularly check on how I was feeling. If any area became too hot, the treatment would be temporarily paused to cool it down.
After the procedure, when I looked in the mirror, my face was slightly red, but not excessively so; the redness faded within about 10 to 15 minutes. The director said that I would start to notice results after 2 to 4 weeks, and the best effects would be achieved after 1 to 3 months. For now, I can say that my skin does feel firmer, but I’ll have to wait a few more weeks to truly assess the full impact of the treatment.
Fees for Dermatology consultations at DIORE: Transparent enough to inspire confidence
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DIORE’s consultation fee structure is the most transparent one I have ever seen, and this is something I really want to emphasize.
- Consultation with the department head: Free of charge — Suitable for those who are visiting for the first time and are not sure which treatments to choose
- Deputy Dean’s Consultation: ¥550,000 — Suitable for those with specific project requirements who are seeking professional advice.
- Consultation by Representative Director Li Guanglie: ¥1.01 million — Suitable for designated directors or those with complex requirements
The deposit is fully deducted from the treatment fees once the treatment plan is confirmed, so strictly speaking, it cannot be considered an additional charge. However, I believe the advantage of this system is that it filters out those customers who are just browsing around without any serious intention, allowing those who truly want to undergo the treatment to have more ample time for a thorough consultation.
In addition, DIORE does not charge extra fees for foreigners; the same rate applies to both Chinese and Korean customers. This is quite rare in the Gangnam area, as some clinics charge foreigners an additional 10-20% in translation or service fees. However, DIORE does not impose such additional charges at all.
Who is DIORE Dermatology suitable for? Honest recommendations
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I truly recommend DIORE to these people.
- This is my first time going to South Korea for cosmetic procedures, and I need full Chinese-language service throughout the entire process.
- I’m afraid of the assembly line process and being pressed for time; I want the hospital director to conduct a thorough face-to-face consultation.
- There are specific requirements for the qualifications of these doctors; we prefer candidates who are from prestigious institutions and have extensive experience, especially those who have served as directors of hospitals.
- Those who are afraid of pain but still want to undergo anti-aging treatments – DIORE’s Sofwave is truly designed to minimize discomfort.
- Those who want to undergo cosmetic procedures in Gangnam District and also take a stroll around (the Sinnonhyeon station is right next to the location)
These people might need to consider the following:
- The budget is very limited (under ⩺500,000)—there are more affordable options in Myeongdong or Seomyeon.
- For those who require major plastic surgeries — DIORE specializes only in minor cosmetic procedures.
- Something I wanted to do late at night… DIORE closes at 8:30 PM at the latest.
- It is required that Director Li Guanglie be the one in charge, but if his schedule is full, other directors are actually just as professional.
FAQs on Common Issues in Dermatology at DIORE Seoul I Dermatology
Q: Is DIORE a chain of medical beauty clinics?
A: Absolutely not. At DIORE, the system requires that the same director personally handles everything – from the initial consultation to the treatment and post-operative follow-up. It is absolutely impossible for the director to conduct the consultation while an intern performs the actual procedure. All four directors at DIORE come from the medical schools of Korea University and Yonsei University, and they all have extremely impressive qualifications.
Q: Will the director of DIORE force people to make sales?
A: No. During the in-person consultation, Director Li presented three options to me, ranging from the basic plan costing 9.2 million yuan to the Sofwave option priced at 91.2 million yuan. In fact, he advised me to start with the basic plan instead of going straight for the most expensive one. The whole process was completely stress-free.
Q: How can I communicate if I don’t speak Korean?
A: DIORE provides Chinese consultation services. You can make an appointment in advance via LINE, or you can communicate with the clinic director in Chinese during your visit. The clinic director will also be assisted by a Chinese translator during the process.
Q: How long does it take to recover after undergoing the Sofwave treatment?
A: The recovery time after Sofwave treatment is extremely short. There is basically no redness or swelling after the procedure; any slight reddening will subside within 10–15 minutes. You can resume normal activities, apply makeup, and go shopping on the same day. However, it is recommended to avoid steam baths and strenuous exercise within 3 days, and to take extra precautions to keep the skin hydrated and protected from the sun for up to 1 week. For detailed pricing information, please refer to the complete price list at Dermatology of DIORE.
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