Dr. Hyuntaek Lee, MD, PhD, is a board-certified general practitioner and plastic surgeon based at Banobagi Clinic in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Combining over 75 years of collective experience with a patient-first approach, Dr. Lee provides comprehensive medical and aesthetic care.
Full name: Hyuntaek Lee, MD, PhD
Specialties: General practice and plastic surgery
Experience: 75 years according to Bookimed
Educational Background
Graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine
Completed residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital
Earned a PhD in Medicine (medical sciences)
Received board certification in plastic surgery in South Korea
Currently serves as Director and Plastic Surgery Specialist at Banobagi Clinic in Seoul
Former advisory and teaching roles at Seoul National University Hospital
Performs high volumes of aesthetic procedures including rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, liposuction, and body contouring
Operates internationally via platforms like “Let Me In Doctors” and Vietnam’s “Change Life” TV show
Academic Contributions
Former Scholarly Director of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and related associations
Active member of national plastic surgery societies in Korea
Presented at international conferences including the Korean–Japan Congress of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Areas of Expertise
Rhinoplasty: Both primary and revision nose jobs, using implants or advanced techniques
Blepharoplasty and eyelid correction: Techniques including ptosis correction for balanced, natural-looking outcomes
Facial contouring: Jaw, chin, and cheekbone reshaping for harmony and proportion
Body sculpting: Liposuction, breast augmentation, and abdominoplasty with modern contouring protocols
Publications and Research
Dr. Lee has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed articles in Korean plastic surgery journals.
Notable works include studies on osteotomy techniques in Asian rhinoplasty, microsurgical ear replantation without venous repair, and craniofacial correction for plagiocephaly. His contributions reflect a commitment to technical refinement and patient-centred outcomes.
Patient Care Philosophy
Dr. Lee emphasises personalized care, open communication, and psychological support throughout the treatment journey. His philosophy includes:
Thorough pre-procedure consultations to align goals and set realistic expectations
Empathy and clear explanations to build trust
Availability for online pre- and post-operative consultations, especially for international patients
Cultural sensitivity to accommodate patient backgrounds and preferences
Professional Affiliations
Member, Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Member, Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Former Scholarly Director, Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Botulinum Toxin & Filler Research Association
Board certification in Plastic Surgery, South Korea
FAQs
Is Dr. Hyuntaek Lee board-certified?
Yes, he is board-certified in plastic surgery in South Korea.
What types of surgeries does he perform?
He performs rhinoplasty, eyelid correction, facial contouring, liposuction, breast surgery, among others.
Does he treat international patients?
Yes, Dr. Lee treats international patients and participates in international outreach through TV shows and online consultations.
How long is the typical hospital stay after surgery?
It varies by procedure—rhinoplasty and eyelid surgeries typically involve a 1–2 day stay, while more extensive contouring may require longer.
What languages does he speak?
Dr. Lee speaks Korean. English support is available through clinic coordinators.
Patient reviews
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Patient reviews
Republic of Korea,
Jun 16, 2021
Anonym
It’s been almost 10 months since my double eyelid with ptosis correction surgery. The reason why I decided to proceed it was quite obvious. I did have a small crease but asymmetry was too bad and I wanted my eyes look bigger. For my surgery I went to dr Lee who is a board certified plastic surgeon in Seoul. Before meeting him I had no idea what type of eyes I had or which exact surgery I was in need. I’ve read mixed comments about banobagi plastic surgery (a hospital, where dr Lee is working). Some of them were pretty cold, saw few negative ones but so far all reviews on his work were quite positive and patients left him pretty satisfied and in my experience, I found him to be very kind and pleasant to deal with.
Even though, double eyelid surgery is one of the simplest plastic surgeries, he spent quite a while for my consultation, answering all my question, without any pressure or pushing. He showed me a lot of before and after pictures, so I could understand what to expect. He also recommended to combine my surgery with ptosis correction which was supposed to fix the asymmetry that bothered me the most.
Everything was done under local anesthesia so I didn’t feel anything. During the surgery dr Lee asked to open my eyes 2 times, I guess for checking if everything was symmetrical, idk. I left the hospital the same day, about 2 hours later (had to lie down with some cold packs on my eyes).
My recovery went pretty well. After 7 days stitches were removed and I returned home. My eyes were quite swollen the first 2 weeks or so but by month 2 everything was totally gone. Now there is no sign of proceeded surgery, even scars. Everything looks so natural and most importantly symmetrical. Dr Lee made a crease just a bit higher, keeping uniqueness of my eyes which I liked the most. I think they mostly look
I still remember days when I was young, looked fresh and beautiful. Pity but between then and now due to stresses of life, the difference is huge. I disliked the way I looked so much that I even started to avoid looking in the mirror.
I was never against plastic surgery thinking that people should do what would make them happy enough. And I wasn’t happy at all. I consulted with few surgeons and all of them suggested to get both upper and lower blepharoplasty but the surgeon I ended up with was with much better personality. The price difference wasn’t big, so I didn’t even think about it. I knew the likelihood of possible risks but trusted my surgeon and was confident enough in his professionalism and skills.
The most uncomfortable were the 3 days after my surgery. I didn’t feel any pain but my eyes were very swollen, so I could barely open them. Stitches were removed 7 days after the procedure and that was the worst moment in the whole recovery. Even though I applied ointment everyday as was prescribed, the stitches area was a bit dry which I guess made removing them a little painful for me.
Over the last couple of months my scars began to gradually fade away and by now they are hardly visible. And now I have no eyebags or droopy eyelids. No more sad and tired look. I don’t regret about proceeded surgery and very thankful to my surgeon Dr. Hyun Taek Lee, he did a great job!
I always felt kind of insecure only about 2 things in my face – my too narrow eyes, and too flat and wide nose. Augmentation rhino was long ago, although the result wasn’t 100 satisfied at least the bridge was finally high enough. I did consider to proceed des at the same time with rhino but my surgeon somehow convinced that once the bridge is high enough, my eyes would also look bigger, nonsense but… well I trusted him, it didn’t work out and I was pissed! I couldn’t get my second plastic surgery right away and had to wait at least few months, well that was even for better. After few months I realized that my nose shape changed and became very short for my face size. I could go to the same surgeon for a free revision but I didn’t want to go down the same road again. Thus, I searched for another ps in Asia and it’s quite obvious that the search led me to South Korea.
When I came to Banobagi, I already knew that just revision rhino would not satisfy me enough, so I also decided to get my eyes done. Both eyes and nose were performed by dr. Lee Hyuntaek, excellent surgeon! I was under sedation, so don’t remember all details from my surgery only 2 times when doc asked to open my eyes. Swelling on eyes was wild and if not my nose I could be discharged the same day few hours later but had to stay there overnight. I think due to my second nose job my eyes were swollen quite a while but everything looks great!
In conclusion, I’d highly recommend dr. Lee Hyuntaek for no matter which procedure you are looking for as I tried both nose and eyes with him and the result looks really good!
I think the reason why my eyelids became so droopy was due to genetics but apart from just saggy skin on my eyes I was also needed facelift, so the recovery for me was a bit longer than the average. A complete list of surgeries I underwent: upper with lower blepharoplasty, midface lift, accusculpt and fat injections, so as far as you already understood, I didn’t have an option whether to proceed it under general or local anesthesia lol.
The total surgery time was around 3.5 to 4 hours and I think the saying “no pain no gain” holds some truth… But as for eyes, I didn’t have any pain only slight bleeding the first few days but it all was only my fault as I didn’t follow all doctor’s instructions. My eyes felt very tight and were very swollen but once stitches were removed (on day 7) the situation began to improve little by little.
It’s been 2 months already and I feel great. I already can apply makeup on my eyes which makes me even happier. The result looks amazing, minimal swelling still remains but I was told it needs some time to get away completely. My incisions have healed well and I think it was worth it. I already feel that look way younger with a very natural look.
Hey everyone! I’ve already posted a review about my facial contouring experience and now I want to share my thoughts regarding another procedure I underwent at the same time. As I wrote before, I can’t say that the result was botched yet it wasn’t the most successful. I’ll upload my before and after pic and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
My primary augmentation rhinoplasty I proceed in Seoul as well but in a different hospital and only after going to Banobagi a year after I could feel the difference between real professionals and small-scale hospital. The cost for my second rhino of course was higher but I think it totally worth it!
When I came for a consultation to the previous surgeon, he said there was no need to touch my tip and once he inserted nose bridge implant, my tip would become upturned. Well…it didn’t happen, moreover, the hump that I had (I wanted to remove it, but the same surgeon suggested not to touch it) became even more noticeable. For entire year I had that terrible nose. I could go to him again and get free revision, but I saw no point if he didn’t listen to me from the very beginning.
With Dr.Lee was totally different. He first gave me a mirror and asked what I want to improve? Then he told his opinion and suggestions with which I totally agreed. He understood what I was looking for from the very beginning and didn’t try to convince me something I didn’t really want to do and now you can see how beautiful everything came out.
From my experience, bitter but very helpful for others, I realized, the most important in proceeding a plastic surgery is if your opinion matches surgeon’s opinion, then you’ll definitely get the result you want.
I think to proceed my first surgery it was the biggest mistake in my life. The main reason why I proceeded my first rhino was low bridge with very round and downturned tip. So, I got primary augmentation rhino 2 years ago. I wasn’t satisfied from the very beginning. I requested pointy tip and once the cast was removed, it was obvious that the surgeon left my bulbous tip as it was. When I told him about that, the only thing he could refer to was swelling “you are too swollen!”, “it’s very early!”, “it will change!” all I heard to my complaints. By month 6 when, obviously, my surgeon finally realized his mistake, he offered me a revision for additional payment saying that I wasn’t clear in the first place.
I hated him that time. Apart from botched results he also requested for additional payment for revising his sh*ty job and blaming me in everything. Hopefully I could prove that it was solely his mistake and could return my money back. It was a bitter experience for me after which it was really difficult to find a doctor to whom I could trust.
After a deep research and contacting hundreds of plastic surgeons, I finally made my decision. Needless to say, I had lot of concerns and questions and my second surgeon Dr.Lee gladly and patiently answered them all, about anesthesia, pain and recovery time, he covered absolutely everything. After our f2f consultation we discussed the price. Of course it was higher than my previous surgery but I was ready for everything. So, the total I paid was around $5.5k.
The surgery was scheduled few days after my consultation. On the surgery day, the first thing I proceeded was fulfilling all documents and double checking if I prepared for the surgery properly. The operation started in time and everything went quite smoothly. I was under sedative anesthesia, so for me it was like a minute… Few hours after everything was finished I could leave the hospital. The first night was terrible. No pain but lot of discomfort. The next morning I came back to remove cotton tampons and breathing became much easier. On day 7 I was asked to come for cast and outer stitches removal. That day I saw my nose for the first time. And when I saw it, I realized right away that could finally reach a result I wanted. The bridge was high and straight and tip was just as I always dreamt about. Even though I was swollen, but the result was already noticeable, nothing like before! After another week I came back for the rest stitches removal and final checkup with Dr.Lee. After that I returned home.
Honestly, my life has been changed so much! By now nose looks very natural and very beautiful. I feel more confident and better about myself. I feel good about the choice I made.
I highly recommend Dr.Lee as he’s the best! The most important lesson I learned – find a good surgeon from the very beginning. Don’t rush into a procedure, search thoroughly and ask all questions directly.
I recently got a revision rhino in Seoul with some other surgeries, but will write about them later as still very swollen but nose looks already great! My surgeon for second nose job was Dr. Hyuntaek Lee. His hospital Banobagi is located in Seoul. Initial cost for this procedure was around KRW 6,440,000, but I paid less and since I paid in total, I can’t say the exact amount for revision rhino with discount, sry…
Throughout the years my nose got hit few times, eventually adding some crookedness on top of my low bridge making it look super ugly. My primary augmentation surgery I got in Singapore when went there as an exchange student for a semester. The reason why I went to Seoul for my revision surgery was that a friend of mine had FC done there before and I really liked her result, so she suggested me to go to that hospital.
I was super excited to see what Dr. Lee would say about my nose. He suggested to change the implant and insert a piece of cartilage on the tip, to fix the implant. When he was explaining everything, he knew what he was talking about making me feel really confident and comfortable. My health was checked with a blood test and the results turned out pretty good, so I was scheduled for my surgery for few days after.
I was told not to eat or drink anything at least 10 hours before it started. I came an hour earlier to fill out some paperwork. After that I was giver a hospital gown and shown my recovery room. It didn’t take them long to prepare me for the surgery or maybe for me time flew so fast. Once I was given an IV injection with anesthesia I remember absolutely nothing. By the time I woke up all my surgeries were done. Usually, patients don’t stay over night after rhino but since I had some other procedures done, the hospitalization for me was 1 night and that night was terrible. Lot of discomfort, blocked nose, some headache and dizziness, hopefully didn’t feel any pain on my face.
Next morning Dr. Lee checked up on me and I could finally go back to my hotel. On day 3 I came back to take out cottons and breathing became much easier right away. A week after stitches on my columella were removed as well as a cast. Another week later all stitches that were inside my nose were removed as well.
Although it’s been only 6 weeks, I feel great. Of course still swollen, but already satisfied with my results after rhino. I can see that now the bridge is straighter and a little higher as I wanted from the very beginning. My tip is numb for now but so far looks perfect to me with very right angle degree. Dr. Lee said that my nose will continue to heal for up to 6 months but I expect that can reach final result way earlier as my initial recovery went very smooth. Finally, very satisfied with my nose!
My overall opinion on proceeding plastic surgeries: wish I did it earlier! I don’t think that I lost my uniqueness, no… I think whatever surgery you proceed you are going to look the same yet a bit different. You’ll find a better version of yourself and I think it’s true that you can actually look better in your photos being the same person as before.
For me, plastic surgery solved my greatest insecurity and boosted my confidence but before I went through lot of phases.
Phase I: overexcitement and overexpectations. The stage when you are looking for a surgeon. Going through a consultation. Getting ready for your procedure and expect that you will see the result right away but don’t be so naïve…
Phase II: regretting and disappointment. This is the time when I realized that my eyes were far from the ideal doll-looking shape. When I first took a look in the mirror I was about to cry, not at all what I expected. This part was a shocker for me, I felt completely deformed, my eyes looked uneven, super swollen with brutal bruising. I tried not to cry in order to speed up my healing and not to stare too much and not to be obsess over it.
Phase III: life-turning moment. Once everything went away, I felt way more confident. I began to focus mostly on self-development instead of trying so hard to look sexy with lot of makeup and being “fake” in order to attract someone’s attention. The surgery boosted my confidence, making me feel a beautiful desired woman. I feel like I went from an ugly teen to a beautiful and very attractive woman and I really like that feeling.
FYI: my age is 24, I proceeded more than 1 plastic surgery. I’m from Dallas but went to Seoul for getting my procedures done. My surgeon for eyes was Dr. Lee a board-certified doctor from one of the most famous plastic surgery in Seoul – Banobagi. The price I paid for my eyes was – $2,500.
Hello! This is gonna be my second review on RealSelf and I’m happy to share this experience with anyone who is interested in getting this procedure. I’ve been always kind of insecure about my nose. Although, I did have some nose bridge it wasn’t high enough and alars were too wide. After many comparisons and research, I finally decide to go with dr Lee at banobagi plastic surgery in Seoul, South Korea.
Dr Lee’s clinic and staff were very professional and informative. Preop I was asked my permission for using before and after photos and I also allowed to share my results though their social media to show other potential patients my outcome. Our consultation started with asking me what I wan to be changed – I wished for the tip to be sharper, nostrils narrower and the bridge a bit higher. Hopefully, everything could be achieved with I surgery.
Type of my surgery: augmentation rhinoplasty (with inserting a silicone implant)
Price: $4,300 with discount (allowed to use my photos)
Dr Lee mentioned that the recovery time for the swelling to disappear is about 2 weeks. The only main thing he advised was not to wear glasses for at least 1 month or it would interfere with the implant position. Since I had some other procedures done at the same time I wasn’t allowed to sleep on my back or sides for a few weeks, so I used an airplane neck pillow to make it more comfortable.
The first night after everything was done was like a horror, very swollen, unable to breathe and with an awful discomfort. For 1 day I stayed in the hospital for hospitalization and during those days my nose was blocked with cotton tampons. On the day of discharged after dr Lee checked up on me a nurse finally removed those tampons and I could make, with lot of efforts long-waiting breath. After that I felt way better and day after day swelling from inside on my nose gradually faded away. A week after I came for outer stitches removal from columella and another week later inner stitches were removed after which my recovery became faster.
Now it’s been almost 4 months post op and I feel great. For about a month my tip was numb which actually scared me a lot but I was told that it was totally fine to experience after a surgery I underwent. After about 5-6 weeks I started to feel slight tingling with itching feelings and by month 3 everything was totally gone. I have attached my before and after photos, hope they help you! Cheers!
I want to share my experience about getting nose job with Dr. Hyuntaek Lee, a facial plastic surgeon in Seoul. I truly can't imagine having a better experience or result even despite the fact that recovery for me was pretty brutal. Like most people here, I was quite self conscious about my nose. While friends were playfully tease me, deep inside I felt very insecure and hated taking photos from the side and at the age of 23 my parents finally let me to get a nose job done. It took me over a year to find a surgeon that would fit all my needs and I even travelled to South Korea to meet him.
Going for my first ever consultation, thousands questions didn't let me go, like what if it becomes even worse? What if I’d need a revision? What if I don’t like the result? Most importantly, what if my new nose wouldn’t fit my face? From the very beginning I confidently told Dr. Lee what I was looking for and what kind of a result I expect, like upturned nose with smaller bridge and neat tip. Basically, he agreed with everything and could understand all my needs.
My surgery was few days after and when I came I was really, really nervous. I was scared of anesthesia but his staff was super kind and patient to me, that put me at ease and calmed down a little. My assistant Regina chatted to me, making sure that I feel comfortable enough. I was afraid that once I wake up I’d be in a lot of pain but Dr. Lee calmed me down, promising to be as gently as possible. Anesthesia shot knocked me out and from that moment I remember absolutely nothing.
I woke few hours later from a voice calling my name, it was Regina. From her I found out that my surgery was over and everything went very smoothly then a nurse helped me to get back to my recovery room. I wasn’t in pain at all, but couldn’t breath and my throat was very sore. The first night I spent there. In the morning cottons were removed and Dr. Lee came to check up on me. The first week was the worst. Most of the time I had to breath my mouth, as my nose was pretty swollen from the inside as well. My lips were super dry! From time to time I had terrible headache, not even sure was it because of anesthesia or just one of surgery’s side effects. After a week a cast that covered my nose was removed and could finally see it! Although, it was quite swollen, the shape was significantly changed and I liked it a lot. On 10th day all stitches were removed and on week 2 I flew back to States.
For 3-4 months my tip was very solid and numb and swelling wend down differently from both nostrils which made me think that they became asymmetrical. By month 5 everything was all 100 back to normal.
Next month it’s gonna be a year since my operation and I’m so infinitely happy. I think I made the right decision. Attach all pics below.
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