Hwisang Law Firm
Problems after cosmetic surgery in Korea?
Start with an email.
Side effects, risks that were never explained, a clinic that stops responding. Send us a short summary with your photos and records. Our lawyers review them and reply by email.
Consultations are by email. In-person meetings at our Seoul office are available, with a translation app if needed.
Common situations
Whatever the procedure, start by telling us what happened.
Double eyelid & epicanthoplasty
Uneven eyes or visible scars, and you were told it would settle once the swelling went down.
Ptosis (eye-opening) surgery
Eyes that do not fully close, with dryness or pain that continues.
Botox
Drooping eyelids, a smile that won't form, or trouble chewing that lasts.
Fillers
Lumps that remain, or skin turning dark or discolored. Pain or color change needs prompt medical care.
Rhinoplasty
A shape you did not expect, uneven nostrils, or difficulty breathing.
Breast & facial contouring
Inflammation or fever, thick raised scars, numbness or abnormal sensation.
If your symptoms are getting worse, see a doctor first.
What you can do now
Records made now are what explain your case later.
- Save before-and-after photos with their dates
- Keep every message with the clinic (KakaoTalk, WhatsApp, Instagram, email)
- Collect payment records (card statements, receipts, quotes) and consent forms
- Request a copy of your medical records — a hospital cannot refuse a patient's request without a legitimate reason (Medical Service Act, Article 21)
- Before leaving Korea, if possible, see another doctor and get a medical certificate
- Do not sign a settlement or refund agreement until you understand it
Time limits apply: generally 3 years from when you learned of the damage and who caused it, and 10 years from the act itself (Civil Act, Article 766).
↓ Download the one-page checklist (PDF)Medical cases we have handled
Real cases we handled, summarized so that no one can be identified. Every case is different.
Filler for smile lines
After filler injection, a blood vessel was blocked and the skin changed color and died, but the clinic did not promptly give dissolving injections or other care. Using a physical examination by a court-appointed doctor and the medical records, we argued negligence in the procedure, delayed aftercare and insufficient explanation. The court found the clinic negligent.
Case page (Korean) →Botox in the cheeks
The client developed hollow, uneven cheeks, facial paralysis and difficulty breathing and swallowing. We showed through a medical examination that the client had no such symptoms before, and that the consent form did not list these serious side effects. The court found negligence and a failure to explain the risks.
Case page (Korean) →Jaw contouring surgery
After surgery, nerves in the jaw were damaged and the gums and teeth lost sensation. We requested examinations of the body and the medical records, and proved that bone was cut without properly locating the nerves and that major risks were not explained. The court found the clinic negligent.
Case page (Korean) →Our attorneys
Jeong Myeong‑ho정명호Managing PartnerFormer prosecutor(37 years)
Kim Min‑geon김민건PartnerKBA-certified criminallaw specialist
Lee Hyeok‑ju이혁주PartnerFormer military prosecutor,ROK Air Force
Hwang Ji‑hwan황지환PartnerDoctoral coursework incorporate law, Yonsei
Seo Eun‑jeong서은정AttorneyDivorce, property division& inheritance
Short animated stories
Dramatized stories, based on common situations, about problems after cosmetic procedures in Korea.
@clinicdisputeFrequently asked questions
The clinic told me to "wait and see." Should I just wait?
Take photos of your symptoms every day and keep all messages with the clinic. If you have pain, skin color change or fever, consider seeing another doctor. How the clinic responded after the procedure can also matter when looking at responsibility.
The clinic asked me to sign a refund or settlement document.
Check the content before you sign. Depending on its terms, it may become difficult to claim treatment costs or compensation later. Send us a photo of the document first and we will explain it.
Can I still do something after going home?
Yes. If you appoint a Korean lawyer as your representative, the lawyer can handle most steps. Start by emailing us when, where and what procedure you had.
This page is general information, not legal advice for your situation.