Gangnam Plastic Surgery Clinics Sanctioned for Fake Reviews

Three well-known plastic surgery clinics in Seoul's affluent Gangnam district have been sanctioned by the Fair Trade Commission for engaging in deceptive advertising practices. The clinics, identified as View Plastic Surgery, DA Plastic Surgery, and AB Plastic Surgery Clinic, were found to have offered discounted surgery fees to individuals acting as promotional models.

In return for these discounts, the models were instructed to post reviews on medical beauty apps and online forums, presenting them as genuine patient experiences. However, these reviews failed to disclose the financial relationship between the clinics and the models. The Fair Trade Commission determined that this practice misled consumers and interfered with their ability to make rational purchasing decisions.

As a result, the commission has issued orders for corrective action and public disclosure. View Plastic Surgery faces an order for public disclosure and a cease-and-desist order, while AB Plastic Surgery Clinic also received a cease-and-desist order. DA Plastic Surgery was issued an order to cease future deceptive advertising. The commission also held discussions with the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons and the Korean Medical Association last month to prevent similar incidents.