Korean aesthetic medicine is no longer just about plastic surgery — it’s becoming a global skincare obsession.
1. Korea Welcomes a Record 1.17 Million Foreign Medical Tourists
In 2024, South Korea officially entered a new era of K-medical tourism.
According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, 1.17 million foreign patients visited Korea for medical treatment last year — a 93.2% increase year-on-year. This marks the first time since 2009 that Korea has surpassed the 1-million mark.
Foreign patients spent a total of ₩1.4 trillion KRW (approx. $1.05 billion USD) on medical services, averaging ₩1.53 million per person.
2. Skincare Beats Plastic Surgery for the First Time
One major shift stands out.
- Dermatology & skin treatments: ₩585.5 billion
- Plastic surgery: ₩359.4 billion
Skin rejuvenation, anti-aging, and non-invasive procedures have officially overtaken traditional cosmetic surgery in popularity.
This reflects a global trend: younger consumers want natural glow, healthy skin, and minimal downtime, not drastic transformations.
3. Japan Leads the K-Medical Wave
By nationality, medical tourists came mostly from:
- Japan – 441,000 patients
- China – 260,000
- United States – 101,000
- Taiwan – 83,000
Among Japanese visitors:
- 94% were women
- 74% were in their 20s and 30s
K-Beauty clinics are becoming a must-visit destination for young global travelers.
4. Kim Kardashian Sparked Global Attention
Global interest skyrocketed after Kim Kardashian shared her Korean clinic visit on social media.
She revealed she had received the famous “Salmon Injection”, officially known as Rejuran — a skin regeneration treatment made from salmon DNA.
The product behind the treatment?
👉 Developed by Korean biotech company PharmaResearch.
5. K-Medical Giants Are Winning Big
PharmaResearch (Rejuran)
PharmaResearch’s flagship product Rejuran now accounts for over 50% of total revenue.
- Products include:
- Rejuran (skin regeneration)
- Rejuviel (dermal filler)
- Conjuran (joint injection)
- Domestic sales still dominate (72%), but exports are surging
U.S. exports growth (YoY):
- Q1: +467%
- Q2: +230%
- Q3: +495%
Analysts expect U.S. revenue to jump from ₩342 billion to ₩615 billion this year.
Adding confidence, Morgan Stanley recently acquired over 5% stake in the company.
Classys (Volnewmer & Shurink)
Classys, known for lifting devices like Volnewmer and Shurink, is also benefiting from the global demand for non-surgical lifting treatments.
6. Global Expansion Is Just Beginning
Rejuran is currently exported to 30 countries across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and South America.
In 2025, PharmaResearch plans a simultaneous launch in 22 Western European countries.
Korean aesthetic medicine is no longer regional — it’s becoming global infrastructure in the beauty industry.
Why This Matters for Gen Z & Millennials
K-Beauty is evolving:
- From makeup → medical skincare
- From trends → science-backed beauty
- From Korea-only → global standard
What started in Seoul clinics is now influencing how the world thinks about aging, skincare, and self-care.
KOREA FBI Editor’s Comment
K-Beauty is no longer just about looking good — it’s about aging better. As global icons like Kim Kardashian turn to Korean medical skincare, K-medical aesthetics are fast becoming the new global beauty standard. This is not a trend. It’s a transformation.
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