2026-05-18
Gangnam Seoyeon Controversy: Director's Objective Statement on Adverse Effects Claims
The director of Gangnam Seoyeon clinic directly addresses a situation where a former satisfied patient abruptly posted false and defamatory claims online. The director clarifies the clinical history, reaffirms willingness to provide insurance coverage and retreatment, but states that unreasonable demands have necessitated a shift to formal procedures rather than personal communication.
This is deeply disheartening. I never imagined that showing goodwill would return as poison.
There is a former patient of our clinic who posts malicious comments online, telling us to sue, yet previously left positive reviews of our hospital. They praised our clinic highly and had successful surgery, appearing in our before-and-after photos.
The patient also appears in photos on my blog.
https://blog.naver.com/medicdoctor/224081265392
At the end, they wrote online praising how the surgery turned out exactly as they desired. I was truly grateful for that.
Our staff sent me these messages teasingly at first. I'm not particularly handsome, yet they called me handsome and tall—initially embarrassing, but I was grateful for their kindness.
Initially, they wrote many positive reviews, and naturally I was thankful. During treatments, I provided careful attention and even purchased new equipment I deemed beneficial for better results, since this was their most frequent procedure.
The patient themselves expressed satisfaction with their surgery.
But around mid-2025, the patient claimed they received unfair treatment from our staff and were asked to leave the clinic. They requested that we replace our staff with different employees because they didn't like them.
The left side shows what the patient requested; the green text shows my responses.
To the extent that I reviewed hospital CCTV to verify our staff's conduct.
However, I found no issues, and I even assigned a dedicated staff member specifically for them. As a VIP member of our clinic, I personally contacted them.
Until that point, we seemed to have resolved misunderstandings and things were good.
But from then on, they began sending this type of content to staff.
White box is the patient; yellow box is the manager.
They threatened to spread false information about the clinic name and staff on the internet.
Still, I understood their frustration with staff and asked them to calm down and not misunderstand.
Although they claimed unfair treatment from staff, I found no evidence. When I said I would better educate our staff, they accused me of taking the staff's side, and things escalated from there.
Still, as this was my patient and my surgery, I continued to provide ongoing care.
The patient continued receiving eye surgery, nose surgery, and other treatments at our clinic.
But they jokingly called me a bad person (or "Nanami"?) and requested additional phone calls outside hospital consultations. (See the latter part)
To resolve what I thought were misunderstandings, I personally called using the hospital phone. But then they said I only called because I was managing their negative reviews. Perhaps once or twice a year, when communication through the manager is difficult, I do call directly—for example, when patients from remote areas like Jeju experience suture protrusions and cannot visit easily, I contact other surgeons. (Note: suture protrusion is not problematic—see https://blog.naver.com/medicdoctor/224087703647)
The above KakaoTalk conversation is with a different patient. I sometimes do this when I personally request other hospitals to remove sutures, etc.
Naturally, since they were posting false claims and distortions online, I needed to clarify. And since they previously held positive feelings toward our clinic, I personally came forward to explain.
However, going forward, I don't think I will personally contact any patients.
I've learned that when you consistently show care and consideration, some people may exploit it or harbor ulterior motives.
I offered to schedule a consultation time, but are they requesting personal phone calls instead? Why?
What exactly am I suggesting?
I will not have personal phone conversations with patients. If you have business, please visit the hospital.
After that, they claim all eye, nose, and minor procedures failed. They deleted all their previous success reviews beforehand. I don't mind if people delete things or post reviews—success or failure reviews are their right—but posting false information is different. Of course, surgery can succeed or fail, but then request after-service (AS) from the hospital. I never said I wouldn't help. They claim the nose became longer, but that's what they originally wanted. (https://blog.naver.com/medicdoctor/224081265392)
This doesn't seem like a normal attitude. And calling the director by a nickname they chose—"Nanami?"—what is that about?
I can be close to a patient as a doctor—perhaps like one close acquaintance—but that's it. Still, I accommodated as much as possible.
Gray box: patient, green box: director
Wow... being a plastic surgeon is an extreme occupation. Do I have to accept nicknames patients give me?
From my perspective, my goal was always to resolve things and make them comfortable, so I just went along with it.
They posted similar content on Threads, and conversations followed..
I never said I didn't care.
I've written about this on other blogs, but sutures can actually pierce scars. I've monitored the progress carefully, and contrary to what they claim, they didn't get rejected for anterior epicanthoplasty restoration—they were inquiring about under-eye fat repositioning surgery, which is a different matter.
From my professional assessment, they don't yet need under-eye fat repositioning surgery.
As you know, I am a Key Doctor for under-eye fat repositioning procedures.
I told them if there were dissatisfaction, I would address it well.
Rather, through an app called Sumgo, they expressed intent to harass using written content
Is that why they searched... or were they looking for a part-time worker?
When they didn't like our staff, they said they looked like snakes and were psychopaths. Now I've become a psychopath too. Please evaluate objectively. It's incredible how quickly one becomes a psychopath by writing such things.
If consultation appointments were rejected at other hospitals, is that really my fault? And the rejection wasn't for revision surgery, but for under-eye fat repositioning consultation.
Isn't consultation usually possible? Why the rejection...?
And from my objective assessment, for someone who doesn't actually need under-eye fat surgery...
What exactly is the patient trying to say? That it failed and was the worst surgeon ever?
Doctor-patient relationships must be built on trust.
If such posts prevent that trust from forming, treatment becomes impossible.
Currently,
If you've seen such posts,
I would appreciate it if only those who can trust me would visit our clinic.
Would I really write this clarification at the hospital entrance if my surgery truly went wrong?
If the surgery actually failed, I could at least process insurance.
Initially, there was no need for me to respond, and since this patient had been with us for a long time, I thought we could maintain a good patient-doctor relationship as before, so I observed the situation.
Now it seems to have crossed the line. Should my family and children hear that their father is a psychopath after reading such posts?
However, since purchasing insurance in 2011, I have never processed a claim. As of November 30, 2025, I have zero medical incidents.
To what extent do you think? My insurance premiums have decreased every year since purchasing the policy, and I now pay the minimum amount!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To summarize:
Initially, the patient expressed satisfaction with our surgery and promoted it, and as a loyal customer, I provided good care and treatments. But suddenly they raised issues with our staff's attitude, demanding years of CCTV footage when they didn't like an employee's conduct, then in response to apologies and preventive measures, they used one-sided and repeated informal speech, suddenly used unexpected titles, demanded separate phone calls at night outside business hours. When I had the manager contact them during business hours, they suddenly claimed all procedure results were unsatisfactory, posted online, but when I offered to address any discomfort, they claimed the hospital wouldn't help—posting false information. Additionally, they suddenly asked my wife to undergo the same surgery and report results. This entire series of events does not align with what I consider reasonable behavior.
I have consistently tried my best.
I even said if they didn't want treatment from me, I would connect them with another hospital.
I don't want to be hurt further. There were good memories in the past. Why do you keep provoking me by telling me to sue?
Do you really want this to turn into a mudslinging lawsuit? Don't you know this is actual criminal behavior?
Throughout this, they repeatedly asked and pleaded for me to resolve their anger, and barely managed to request removal of malicious comments related to false information and defamation. There were many such incidents.
Writing this post isn't to disparage the other person but a minimal defense against malicious comments. The facts are different.
"Restaurant scamming customers" False reviews... manager's tears "Business destroyed" [Boss's Grievance Report]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Added December 1st.
Hello. I hope you're doing well.
I recently noticed several posts you've written, and I've seen all the unfavorable content written about me. Seeing those posts weighed heavily on my heart. I tried to understand, thinking about how difficult things must be for you.
However, if false accusations and repeated negative posts continue, I fear it will only leave wounds for both of us, so I'm reaching out to say this. You mentioned earlier telling me to sue, and I want to ask once more if that's really the direction you want this to go. If the harassment continues, I cannot help but consider legal action, but I don't want things to go that direction because it would lead to unnecessary emotional exhaustion for both of us and troublesome procedures like police station visits and statements.
I sincerely ask that you refrain from further criticism, including your previous posts.
If possible, it might be good to receive treatment again at our clinic where we can provide you with satisfaction. You said you were hurt by our staff and hospital, but I want you to understand that I too am suffering equally from emotional wounds. If you operate a business yourself, I believe you can empathize with this feeling.
And I want to say one more thing. I directly contacted you from my hospital phone number with the hope that patients could communicate comfortably without inconvenience, but there seems to be a misunderstanding where you didn't receive it well. As a result, I've decided going forward not to contact any patients personally this way. I didn't anticipate that my efforts to do better would be conveyed in such a negative direction.
Now, rather than deepening emotional wounds for each other, I hope we can wrap things up here and move on peacefully.
I also hope for a smooth resolution through dialogue, and I hope that feeling reaches you.
Thank you.
I sent another sincere persuasive message, but I only received responses with unreasonable content.
Deviated septum? Then file a proper medical lawsuit. Or since I said I'll process insurance if I made a mistake, since I said I'll take responsibility—why don't you use that?
Since that's not happening, you must be trying to harass.
I tried my best to accommodate you.
I even acknowledged the nicknames you called me, catered to your preferences, made this much effort to resolve your anger, accommodated everything at each moment, and even had long phone conversations saying I wasn't looking after your progress. Now I can't do that anymore. Please come to the hospital formally.
I deleted some messy long text from yesterday's comments, but I'll paste it here.
Yes, please see the post above.
I'll provide evidence of the replacement request.
I accommodated to this extent. What fault do our staff have? Why is a patient's demand that we not listen to them not discrimination in the course of business?
I've done what I could.
In times like these, wisdom is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are adverse effects handled after surgery at Gangnam Seoyeon?
Insurance processing and after-service (AS/retreatment) are available. The director has maintained zero medical incidents since purchasing medical insurance in 2011 and promises insurance coverage and responsible follow-up care if problems actually occur.
Does everyone need under-eye fat repositioning surgery?
No, it's not necessary for everyone. According to the post, after objective consultation, the director determined this particular patient did not need under-eye fat repositioning surgery, and prioritizes accurate diagnosis over unnecessary procedures.
Can sutures pierce through scars after double eyelid surgery?
Yes, it can actually occur. The director explains that while suture protrusion through scars is a real phenomenon, it is not medically problematic and can be managed through progress monitoring and appropriate follow-up care.
What should I do if I'm unsatisfied with surgery results?
It's best to visit the hospital and formally request after-service. The director maintains the position that if there are concerns, they will be addressed, and direct hospital consultation is a more reasonable resolution method than online complaints.
Is personal phone consultation with the Gangnam Seoyeon director available?
No, personal phone conversations will not be conducted going forward. While the director had previously contacted patients directly for convenience, due to misunderstandings that arose, all patient consultations will now be conducted uniformly through hospital visits only.
Is the nose appearing longer after rhinoplasty a side effect?
It may be the result the patient originally desired, making it difficult to classify as a universal side effect. According to the post, in this case the patient's surgery proceeded as originally requested, and the patient themselves previously wrote a satisfaction review documented on the blog.