I sat down with Director Kim Hong-seok, the ‘VOS’ of VOS Dermatology Clinic. The purpose was to share stories that are difficult to hear during a consultation due to limited time. We exchanged a very candid conversation about his philosophy on treating patients, the reasons for introducing Juvelook to Korea, and the meaning of anti-aging in his view. I hope you will discover within this conversation the weighty and solid roots that, though invisible, support Boss Dermatology Clinic.
Medical care imbued with philosophy, change starting at the fingertips
Please introduce yourself.
I am Hong-seok Kim, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of VOS Dermatology Clinic. I also currently run a YouTube channel called ‘PR Nam (The Man Who Teaches You About Skin).’ I would describe myself as a dermatologist who believes that health and skin must thrive together, rather than simply emphasizing skincare alone. This is also why much of the content on the PR Nam YouTube channel focuses on caring for both health and skin.
I heard that dermatologists make up only about 2% of doctors in the country.
Currently, about 3,000 doctors graduate each year. Among them, there are only about 70 board-certified dermatologists. That is a really small number. Dermatology is a more difficult specialty than you might think. There is just so much to study. I had underestimated it, only to realize just how much studying is required in this field. (Laughs) Of course, there are many skilled doctors who aren’t board-certified, but the depth and breadth of knowledge possessed by those with the specialist title are definitely different.
Dermatologist, Communicating on YouTube
Based on this expertise, you put a lot of effort into creating YouTube content as well as providing medical care. I heard you actually started as far back as five years ago.
I previously taught cosmetics-related courses for several years. I thought it would be interesting to share the thoughts and knowledge I had back then through videos that would be easy for others to understand. After all, no one could hear me unless it was in a lecture hall. I think I started with good intentions, rather than grandly calling it volunteering. As the topics gradually expanded to include procedures and skin care, I have reached where I am today.
Another thing is that I prioritize efficiency. I can answer patients’ frequently asked questions more easily through YouTube videos. It saves time for both of us, and necessary information can be checked repeatedly at any time.
There are over 500 videos uploaded. I am curious where and how you got these vast content ideas.
I start thinking about it 10 to 20 minutes before filming begins. Even the PD doesn’t know what I’m shooting and just shows up. (Laughs) To begin with, there is simply not enough time to organize the content or write the script. Also, I realized that if I put too much effort into it—which I started out fun—it would feel like just work. So, I decided to boldly skip that process.
Everyone is surprised when I say this, but I think it’s possible because these things are already ingrained in me, so it doesn’t feel difficult. I am simply conveying the thoughts and knowledge within me through words. At first, since the process of filming was unfamiliar, it used to take three to four hours. But as I accumulated know-how, my ability to organize my thoughts and articulate them also improved.
You often host live broadcasts; what do you feel while communicating directly with people who have skin concerns?
I am always surprised by the questions that come in in real time. From an expert’s perspective, people ask a lot of questions that don’t even make sense. Even if I were asked to name a question that comes to mind right now, I couldn’t even come up with an example. But what is surprising is that those kinds of questions account for 50% of the total.
I think I gained some insight from that. It led me to ask myself a fundamental question: Are the topics I’m filming really subjects that people are curious about? I thought they were important, but I realized they might not actually be. I realized I need to make YouTube more accessible. I also find myself constantly thinking about how to explain things; instead of using technical jargon, I try to speak using appropriate examples.
I believe that listening to the client’s concerns and exchanging opinions before the procedure is a truly important process for personalized treatment, above all else. After all, it is the first step of the procedure.
First of all, I believe it is important to accurately understand what the client wants and their purpose for the procedure, rather than simply saying they want to look younger. That is also why I always make sure to ask what they ultimately hope to achieve through the treatment.
The key to the procedure is seeing the forest, not the trees.
You are good at pointing out the specific parts of your face you are unhappy with, but the key to successful procedures is to look at the big picture, not just the trees. If you clearly define your goals, you can actually save time and money. If you combine treatments for redness and wrinkles into a single session, there is quite a bit of overlap. However, if you treat them separately over time, the effectiveness will eventually diminish, and you will inevitably end up spending more time and money.
I would like to hear specifically how you tend to set the direction of the procedure.
To use an analogy, when you do a deep cleaning, you don’t think about exactly where to place the furniture and how to arrange it right from the start. First, it is important to have the overall impression of a tidy face. Only then do you look at the details.
If there is someone who focuses on small details and wants to get rid of only their nasolabial folds, I ask them in return: Do you want to look like a 40-year-old without the nasolabial folds? Improving only the nasolabial folds does not complete the image you desire. I suggest considering more fundamental changes. If your goal through the procedure is to look younger and more beautiful than you do now, I recommend building a solid foundation, even if it costs money upfront. If you pay attention to the basics, you won’t need to do other things later.
I think the approach to treatment may vary from hospital to hospital and doctor to doctor.
“There is no such thing as a natural result that improves quickly.” That is my philosophy. You know how we get very self-conscious even when just a little bit of food gets stuck in our teeth. When Botox, fillers, or lasers are injected into the skin, even if you don’t feel it yourself, they have a tremendous impact on the surrounding tissues. An adjustment period is necessary. I believe it takes at least a month.
Most procedures show results that improve over time rather than immediately after the procedure. My stance is that there is no such thing as a fast yet absolutely natural result. When clients ask me to recommend a procedure that is both natural and fast-acting, I firmly tell them that such a procedure does not exist and that they are free to go to another clinic.
There is nothing that improves naturally and quickly.
If we provide clear guidance based on this philosophy, I think customers will also gain trust.
I think so. Ultimately, I’ve found that those whose direction and values regarding procedures don’t align with mine are bound to leave. I consider it a crucial factor in performing procedures that the goals of the clinic and the client are aligned.
Anti-aging, the power of self-care habits
I imagine skin concerns vary depending on age and gender.
In fact, almost everyone says the same thing. They want not to age. This is the same regardless of gender or age group. Younger people wish to look younger in their own way, while older people have the mindset and expectation that they should start taking care of themselves from now on. After all, looking young implies that you have taken good care of yourself.
You can never beat someone who works hard consistently.
I believe that consistently taking care of your health, including exercise and eating habits, is the prerequisite for self-care. You can never beat someone who puts in consistent effort. It’s okay to start late. Even if you’ve lived your whole life without exercising, if you start now, you’ve effectively begun. Then, things will change. The same goes for your skin.
As you must always be having in-depth conversations with your clients about skin, do you ever encounter points of concern as a doctor during that process?
As I accumulate more procedures, certain concerns naturally arise. For instance, having consistently performed a single method, there comes a moment when I feel that while the current results are excellent, a slight change in approach could yield even better outcomes. If the results fall short of expectations, I start to worry, wondering if I did something wrong or if I adopted the wrong concept.
I believe that accumulating these experiences allows me to gradually experiment with different treatment methods and ultimately leads to progress. Even though it is the same procedure, there are aspects that are completely different now compared to how I performed it a year or two ago. Ultimately, I think the difference in experience and the traces of careful consideration are what bring about better results. I believe that being a doctor is a profession where one must learn throughout their life.
Juvelook, confidence in the new procedure
You introduced this procedure early in Korea, which was a barren land for Juvelook. I am curious about the reason for this. After all, the fact that no one else has attempted it means accepting a certain degree of uncertainty.
It has been nearly seven years now. I was practically the first to attempt this in Korea. The reason I started was primarily because I was curious about Juvelook. However, since I didn’t fully understand how people would react, I had no choice but to be conservative. Back then, lasers and injections were pretty much the only options. It was also easy to be wary because the concept of skin boosters like Juvelook hadn’t become widely popular yet. However, I realized that it combines well with other treatments, and I thought it would be good to utilize it in various ways for anti-aging rather than just for scars.
Despite the issues regarding Juvelook side effects, and judging from what I see on YouTube, I can feel the director’s confidence in this procedure.
There is no procedure without the risk of side effects. And I believe that side effects are caused by the practitioner. If we assume that side effects occurred after a filler procedure, is the filler a faulty substance? That is the fault of the person who injected it. Fillers are already widely used as one of the safest substances in the world. The problem arose because the practitioner did not fully understand the properties of the filler. It is proof that they did not perform the procedure while calculating in their minds the characteristics that fillers move and remain.
There is no procedure without the risk of side effects. Ultimately, what matters is the philosophy of the practitioner performing the procedure.
I was in charge of the presentation for the launch of Juvelook in Japan and Taiwan. During the launch symposium, while sharing my six years of experience, I strongly urged that it absolutely is not a filler and should not be used like one. Juvelook must be distributed evenly across the entire skin. If it is injected excessively into specific areas, accidents occur, leading to persistent nodule issues.
Ultimately, it is crucial to consider the practitioner’s philosophy and approach to the procedure. Usually, accidents occur because practitioners try to rush the results. You must wait patiently and proceed slowly.
What does anti-aging mean to you, Director?
Let’s imagine we bought an item. Consider the difference between using it carefully and cherishing it, versus using it roughly until it breaks. Even if you repair it, it won’t become like new. However, if you polish it well from the start and pay just a little attention, you can use it like new for much longer.
I believe that anti-aging is about taking care of yourself. Eating good food, exercising diligently, and cutting back on alcohol and tobacco are all essentially acts of taking care of and looking after yourself. Consistent habits are truly important factors in preventing aging. Maintaining this lifestyle pattern for a long time is, in essence, an act of loving yourself.
Do you have your own skincare routine to slow down aging?
I really do things half-heartedly. (Laughs) I tend to stick to the basics. As I mentioned earlier, my motto is that no one can beat consistency. I don’t spend more than three minutes cleansing, use three products with minimal ingredients, apply sunscreen, and just apply Vitamin A in the evening and Vitamin C during the day.
You don’t need to work hard at anything. Consistency is all you need. You know how people go to great lengths to find a gym only to never actually go? As someone who prioritizes efficiency, I believe the greatest efficiency comes from having a routine. There are times when I really don’t want to do it and it feels like a hassle, but I just do it. And that works out.
What are your usual exercises or hobbies?
I tend to work out diligently. I also enjoy traveling, so whenever I have free time, I take short trips, whether it’s a day trip or an overnight getaway. I find it enjoyable even if the trip isn’t long. Personally, I tend to be quite curious, so I enjoy seeing new landscapes or scenes.
Do you want people to have the impression of ‘what kind of hospital’ when they hear the name VOS Dermatology Clinic?
It seems that some people currently perceive our clinic as expensive. However, when choosing a car, people don’t just buy it based on fuel efficiency alone. They rate the brand’s value, design, heritage, and other factors they consider important.
Another of my philosophies is to become an “irreplaceable” person. I believe that while any procedure is possible, when combined with extensive experience, specialized knowledge, and my own philosophy and values, you can discover a special quality unique to Boss Dermatology. I am confident that I can satisfy you to that extent.
Please tell us about the future plans of Kim Hong-seok, the director of VOS Dermatology Clinic and as a person.
I want to start a cosmetics education business. I aim to establish a basic framework for cosmetics education that is applicable not only domestically but anywhere in the world. We are currently manufacturing cosmetics ourselves, but we haven’t been able to promote them in earnest due to a lack of manpower and time. We are considering expanding starting next year.
It might sound contradictory, but another thing is to stop taking on so many new projects. (Laughs) I think I’ve done quite a lot of unnecessary things in the past. I also think I was seeking recognition from others. This year, I plan to decisively streamline things and focus more on what truly matters.