The specialists we recommend are not always taking new patients.

24 years inside Korea's medical industry. A short list of specialists we still trust.

Specialists you only find through someone who knows.

24
Years inside
Korean healthcare
122
Verified
specialists
40+
Partner
hospitals
4
Government
endorsements

Founded by James Kim. 24 years at Novartis and Allergan.

Messages answered within 12 hours. While you're in Korea, we stay close.

The right introduction makes the right decision easier.

A short letter from James, twice a month. Or, chat on WhatsApp →

This Is How We Verify

Documented. Inspected. Met in person.

No glossy claims. We show you exactly what we check — and how.

James personally meets every specialist
5 steps · 24 criteria
Specialist Verification

License, lineage, academic standing, character, and patient-fit. Every specialist met in person before joining.
Hospital verification
4 categories · 39 criteria
Hospital Verification

Operating rooms, emergency protocols, aftercare capacity, and privacy infrastructure — inspected on site.
Aftercare
3 principles · 4 steps
Patient Matching

Your anatomy, your goals, your priorities — matched to the right specialist, not the highest bidder.
Learn how we work →
Voices

From those who chose us.

Real patients. Real stories. Shared with explicit consent.

C
"From the first message, I felt I was in safe hands."
Citrasari · Chinese-Indonesian · 2024
D
"James gave me clarity — not just on the surgery, but on the whole process."
Dennis L. · Singapore · 2024
V
"He gives you the information, the specialists, and the space to decide."
Vanessa · Chinese-Indonesian · 2024
I
"Honest from the first conversation. He told me what I needed to hear."
Imelda · Chinese-Indonesian · 2024
D
"The aftercare didn't end when I left Korea. That mattered most."
Desi Finata · Chinese-Indonesian · 2024
E
"Patient and thorough. Every question, every step — answered."
Elfenny · Chinese-Indonesian · 2024
Hear all voices →
The Journey

From first message to Seoul.

Four steps, each handled personally. No call center.

1
A Quiet Message

WhatsApp first contact.

2
Personal Review

James reviews your profile.

3
Your Shortlist

2–3 specialists matched to you.

4
Arrive in Seoul

End-to-end coordination.

See our full method →
The Founder

Behind every match.

James Kim, Founder

James Kim

Founder of Medical Korea Service

24 years inside Korean healthcare — 12 years at Novartis and Allergan, 12 years guiding international patients to Korea.

Not a marketer. He trained physicians, structured medical education, and built trust with Korea's leading aesthetic practices.

"He doesn't sell surgery. He decides who should have it."

Read full bio →
Frequently Asked Questions

Questions from Singapore & Indonesia patients.

Honest answers for patients considering Korean plastic surgery, from 24 years inside Korea's medical industry.

Is plastic surgery in Korea safe for Singaporean patients?

TL;DR: Yes — Korea regulates plastic surgery rigorously, and MKS adds independent Korea-licensed oversight with personally verified specialists.

Yes. Korea's plastic surgery industry is among the world's most regulated medical sectors, with government oversight covering operating room standards, surgeon credentials, and complication response protocols. For Singaporean patients specifically, Medical Korea Service adds an independent verification layer: 24 years inside Korea's medical industry, 122 personally verified specialists across 40+ accredited Seoul hospitals, and Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare Foreign Patient Attraction Business Registration (A-2014-01-01-1414). Our partner specialists each carry over 10,000 cumulative cases in their specialty. Every match is documented; every specialist met in person before recommendation. For patients with pre-existing health conditions, additional cardiology and anesthesia clearance is coordinated before any surgery.

How does MKS help Indonesian patients with Korean plastic surgery?

TL;DR: MKS is a Korea-licensed independent agency operating from Singapore, matching Indonesian patients with verified Korean specialists in Bahasa Indonesia.

Medical Korea Service is an independent Korea-licensed medical tourism agency (Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare Registration A-2014-01-01-1414) operating from Singapore, matching Indonesian patients with verified Korean plastic surgery specialists. Unlike Korean clinic-affiliated agencies, MKS doesn't represent any single hospital — recommendations are based on what fits each Indonesian patient's case. Our process: free initial consultation in Bahasa Indonesia via WhatsApp (+65 8775 4869), case review with 3-5 candidate specialists from our 122-specialist roster, transparent total-cost comparison including stay and follow-up, and full coordination during your Korea visit. Post-Korea aftercare communication continues from Jakarta or Surabaya. By introduction only — 24 years inside Korea's medical industry, exclusively for international patients seeking informed choices.

What is revision rhinoplasty in Korea and when do I need it?

TL;DR: Revision rhinoplasty corrects failed first surgery using autologous cartilage; wait 12 months minimum after initial surgery for tissue stabilization.

Revision rhinoplasty is a secondary nose surgery correcting or refining previous rhinoplasty — typically for breathing issues, asymmetry, implant complications, contracture, or unsatisfactory shape. Industry data shows 10-15% of primary rhinoplasty patients eventually need revision, often within 2-3 years of initial surgery. Wait at least 12 months after initial surgery for tissue stabilization. Korea leads globally in revision rhinoplasty using autologous rib or septal cartilage, with techniques developed specifically for Asian nose anatomy. Hospitals like AB Plastic Surgery and VG Plastic Surgery are notable for natural-line revision techniques. MKS partner specialists each carry over 10,000 cumulative cases in their specialty, including complex revisions from prior surgery in Jakarta, Singapore, or Western clinics. Standard Korea stay: 10-14 days including consultation, surgery, splint removal, and flight clearance. Send photos and medical records for free case review.

What facelift techniques are available in Korea, and how do they differ?

TL;DR: Korea offers Deep Plane, SMAS, and MACS facelift techniques — each suited to different aging patterns; selection depends on your specific case.

Korean specialists perform three primary facelift techniques, each addressing different aging patterns. Deep Plane facelift dissects beneath the SMAS layer for the most natural, long-lasting result — preferred for moderate-to-severe aging. SMAS facelift (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System) repositions the deeper muscle layer with longer incisions and more flexible vector adjustment — the most established technique. MACS Lift (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) uses shorter incisions and vertical suspension sutures with shorter recovery — best for mild-to-moderate cases with good skin elasticity. Hospitals like RNWOOD specialize in Deep Plane (with Mayo Clinic teaching faculty), while Banobagi, Wonjin, VIEW, and 345 Plastic Surgery have strong SMAS and combined-technique programs — 345 PS is particularly known for facial contouring and V-line refinement that often complements facelift surgery. MKS evaluates your specific facial anatomy and aging pattern before recommending a specialist matched to your case — not a fixed clinic. Standard Korea stay: 10 days. Free initial consultation by introduction.

Can I get stem cell therapy in Korea as an Indonesian or Singapore patient?

TL;DR: Yes — Korea is uniquely positioned globally as the only country allowing both medical and aesthetic stem cell treatment in one regulated facility.

Yes, stem cell therapy is legally available in Korea, and Korea holds a unique position globally: it is the only country where both medical (therapeutic) and aesthetic stem cell treatments can be received in a single government-licensed advanced regenerative medicine facility. Korea allows autologous stem cell procedures — using your own cells from blood, adipose tissue, or bone marrow. Two main SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction) approaches exist: uncultured SVF, isolated within 2-3 hours of lipoaspirate and injected same-day, and cultured SVF/ADSC, expanded in laboratory conditions over days under strict government regulation. Both are performed in facilities specifically authorized for advanced regenerative medicine by the Korean government. MKS matches Indonesian and Singapore patients with these authorized specialists across our 122-roster, with case review in Bahasa Indonesia or English from initial inquiry through post-treatment follow-up. Standard Korea stay: 3-7 days depending on protocol.

If clinics are cheaper when I go direct, why use MKS?

TL;DR: Direct booking saves the referral fee, but loses MKS's 5-Step × 24-Criteria specialist verification — the protection layer that prevents the costliest mistake: wrong surgeon selection.

Honest answer: yes, some Korean clinics offer direct-booking discounts that bypass agency referral fees. What direct booking does not include is MKS's structural protection — our 5-Step × 24-Criteria specialist verification system. Step 1 — Credentials & Insurance (6 criteria): specialty board certification verified against original documents, declared subspecialty areas, minimum 10 years post-board clinical experience. Step 2 — Surgical Lineage Review (5 criteria): where and under whom they trained, direct mentor lineage documented, surgical evolution over career. Step 3 — Academic Standing (4 criteria): SCI-indexed publications, active society membership (KSPRS, KAFPRS), conference faculty positions. Step 4 — Character & Bedside Manner (4 criteria): in-person interview by James personally — every specialist before joining; clinical philosophy assessed, consultation style observed. Step 5 — Style & Personality Fit (5 criteria): conservative vs bold surgical philosophy documented, aesthetic preference patterns, MBTI reference for specialist-patient matching. Why this matters: the hospital does not perform your surgery — a specific surgeon does. In large hospitals like Banobagi, Wonjin, ID Hospital, or JK Plastic Surgery, dozens of surgeons operate under one name with vastly different specialties, case volumes, and outcomes. Choosing the wrong surgeon — not the wrong hospital — is the leading cause of regret and revision. We don't compete on price; we compete on the quality of the decision.
The Decision That Matters Most

Surgeon selection is where outcomes are won or lost. Send your case for a 5-Step verified specialist match — free, no commitment.

What does MKS actually do during my Korea visit?

TL;DR: A 24-year specialist accompanies you throughout — verifying surgeon choice, ensuring surgical design isn't lost in translation, and applying a checklist-driven prevention protocol.

MKS provides specialist-level companionship through your entire Korea journey — not concierge service, not booking assistance. Before Korea: 24-criteria specialist verification (5 Steps covering credentials, surgical lineage, academic standing, character, and personality fit), case review with 3-5 candidate surgeons, surgical design discussion with professional medical interpreter, pre-op cardiology and anesthesia clearance coordination. In Korea: in-person clinic accompaniment, surgical design verification (the most common point where outcomes go wrong is translation loss between you and surgeon), real-time complication-response protocol, daily recovery check-ins, 24/7 emergency line. After Korea: documented post-care protocol shared with you, follow-up communication from Jakarta or Singapore, complication escalation path if needed. The premise: 24 years inside Korean medicine walking beside you, catching what self-booking patients cannot see.

How long should I stay in Korea by procedure?

TL;DR: Liposuction 10 days, facelift 10 days, rhinoplasty 10-14 days, eye surgery 7 days, breast surgery 10 days. A detailed cost & recovery guide is available separately.

Recommended Korea stay by procedure, based on MKS's 24 years of patient coordination: Liposuction 10 days — Days 1-3 active swelling with compression garment, Days 4-7 first follow-up and drain removal, Days 8-10 second follow-up and flight clearance. Facelift 10 days — similar timeline with bandage removal and bruise check. Rhinoplasty 10-14 days — splint removal Day 7, internal healing check. Eye surgery 7 days — suture removal Day 5-7, minimal swelling. Breast surgery 10 days — drain removal, follow-up scan. Combined procedures may extend stay; complex revision cases often require 14-21 days. MKS coordinates Seoul accommodation near your matched specialist's clinic with daily check-ins during recovery and 24/7 emergency line. Most Indonesian and Singapore patients return home with continued post-Korea aftercare via WhatsApp from Jakarta or Singapore. For full pricing and recovery details, see our Korea Plastic Surgery Cost & Recovery Guide.

Does MKS support Bahasa Indonesia consultations?

TL;DR: Yes — full Bahasa Indonesia service from initial WhatsApp to post-Korea aftercare, with no extra fee.

Yes. Medical Korea Service provides full consultation, case review, and post-surgery follow-up in Bahasa Indonesia for Indonesian patients. Our Indonesian-language services include: WhatsApp consultation (+65 8775 4869), written case summaries with translated medical terminology, three-way calls with Korean specialists via professional medical interpreter, Korea-stay accompaniment if requested, and post-Korea aftercare communication. Korean specialists in our 122-roster receive translated case notes before consultation, ensuring nothing is lost between you, MKS, and the surgeon. All Bahasa Indonesia communications are documented and shared with you for personal records. This service is included — not an extra fee — across all MKS engagements with Indonesian patients seeking Korean plastic surgery, from initial inquiry through 6-month post-surgery follow-up.

What if my surgery in Indonesia or Singapore had complications?

TL;DR: MKS regularly handles complication revision cases — send photos and records for free case review; wait 6-12 months post-initial surgery for tissue stabilization.

MKS regularly handles Indonesian and Singapore patients with complications from previous surgery — implant displacement, capsular contracture, asymmetry, infection-related scarring, nerve injury, or unsatisfactory aesthetic results. Protocol: (1) Send pre-existing surgery photos, medical records, and complication details for free case review; (2) MKS internally consults 2-3 Korean revision specialists from our 122-roster; (3) Korean specialists provide treatment options, realistic outcome expectations, and complexity assessment; (4) Wait 6-12 months post-initial surgery for tissue stabilization, longer for severe scarring. Our partner specialists each carry over 10,000 cumulative cases including complex revisions from prior surgery in Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, and Western clinics — Korean revision techniques using autologous cartilage often deliver superior results to synthetic-implant approaches commonly used elsewhere.

How does payment work for Korean plastic surgery via MKS?

TL;DR: Initial consultation free; 1,000,000 KRW surgery deposit (credited toward surgery cost); balance paid directly at clinic in Korea.

Initial consultation is free for Singapore and Indonesia patients. When you decide to proceed with surgery, a deposit of 1,000,000 KRW (Korean Won) confirms your specialist booking — this is fully credited toward your surgery cost, not an additional fee. The deposit can be paid two ways: (1) via MKS, who transfers it to the clinic on your behalf and provides you with the official clinic booking confirmation, or (2) directly to the Korean clinic by international bank transfer or card. Balance is settled at the clinic before surgery in Korean Won by international credit card, bank transfer, or USD/SGD cash. MKS receives a separate consultancy fee from the Korean clinic for verified referrals — disclosed upfront before any commitment. Full payment receipts provided in Korean Won with currency conversion available for personal records.

What makes MKS different from other Korean medical tourism agencies?

TL;DR: Three structural differences: Singapore base serving Singapore/Indonesia patients, 122-specialist depth across 40+ hospitals, and 24-year specialist companionship throughout your journey.

Three structural differences set MKS apart. First, location: MKS operates from Singapore for Singapore and Indonesia patients while holding Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare Registration (A-2014-01-01-1414) for direct Korean clinic relationships — most Korean agencies operate from Korea only. Second, network depth: 122 specialists personally inspected over 24 years across 40+ hospitals including Banobagi, Wonjin, ID Hospital, VIEW, JK Plastic Surgery, AB Plastic Surgery, 345 Plastic Surgery, and RNWOOD — versus typical agencies promoting 5-20 partner clinics. Third, role definition: we are not a booking facilitator; we are 24-year specialists walking beside you, ensuring the surgeon match is right, surgical design isn't lost in translation, and complication prevention protocols are applied. By introduction only, exclusively for international patients seeking informed choices — not a marketing funnel into a fixed clinic shortlist.
Still have questions?

Speak with James, Directly

24 years inside Korea's medical industry. Free initial consultation by introduction — in English or Bahasa Indonesia.

💬 WhatsApp James →
The Insider Brief

A short letter from James,
twice a month.

Written for women who are considering, not yet deciding. Read it slowly. Set it aside. Return to it when something prompts you to.

Or, chat on WhatsApp →