A promotional image for Gangnam Unni's concierge service for foreign patients / Courtesy of Gangnam Unni
Healing Paper, the operator of Korea’s leading plastic surgery and skin care app Gangnam Unni, said Monday that it is expanding its "Unni Guide" service to include in-person interpretation, aiming to capture a larger share of the surging medical tourism market.
Gangnam Unni functions as a comprehensive digital marketplace for cosmetic enhancements. The platform allows users to browse transparent pricing, compare hospital credentials and read verified reviews for procedures ranging from routine dermatology treatments to complex plastic surgery. By centralizing information that was once fragmented or obscured, the app has become a critical gatekeeper for Korea’s multibillion-dollar beauty industry.
The expanded Unni Guide service addresses the information asymmetry and language barriers that often deter international patients. While the platform previously focused on online consultations and booking logistics, the new offline component provides vetted interpreters who accompany patients through the entire clinical process. These guides assist with everything from initial hospital reception and medical consultations to the actual procedures and final payment.
"Our goal is to create a standardized K-medical beauty experience that satisfies both patients and hospitals," said Seung-il Hong, CEO of Healing Paper. The service currently offers services in English, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese, with plans to expand to other languages.
The company is also doubling down on its physical presence. At a dedicated center in the affluent Nonhyeon-dong neighborhood of southern Seoul, international visitors can access walk-in consultations and high-precision skin analysis. By providing a seamless cross-border experience, Healing Paper said it hopes to professionalize a sector often criticized for its lack of transparency for non-Koreans.
Since its founding in 2012, Healing Paper has partnered with more than 5,000 clinics across Korea and Japan.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
