“WOW! GANGNAM”... Seoul’s Premier Hub for Medical Tourism and Wellness Experiences

K-medical | 2025-10-24 14:50:13
[medi・K / HEALTH IN NEWS] In Seoul, nearly 37% of international medical tourists make their way to Gangnam, cementing the district’s status as a powerhouse in South Korea’s thriving medical-tourism sector. Under the slogan “WOW—World-class, One&Only, Wellness,” Gangnam positions itself not merely as a destination for procedures but as a gateway to holistic journeys that blend cutting-edge healthcare with Korean culture and rejuvenation.

“By fusing medical excellence with cultural immersion, Gangnam has become the epicenter of Korean medical tourism,” says Cho Seong-myung, the district’s mayor.

World-Class Medical Infrastructure

Gangnam is home to 1,021 healthcare facilities—roughly 28% of South Korea’s total—that are officially registered to treat foreign patients. The district supports visitors through the Gangnam Medical Tour Center and the multilingual online platform Medical Gangnam, which coordinate everything from airport pickups and interpreter services to hotel bookings and tax refunds. Fifty-seven healthcare coordinators fluent in nine languages ensure seamless communication.

Tailored Concierge Care

A network of 149 certified partners—hospitals, hotels, and tourism operators—delivers one-on-one treatment plans and concierge-level service. These efforts earned Gangnam the Global Marketing Award at Medical Asia 2024 for the ninth consecutive year, a testament to its competitive edge.

(위) 강남구 의료관광센터, (아래) 강남의료서비스 및 통역서비스 (사진 제공=강남구 의료관광센터)
(위) 강남구 의료관광센터, (아래) 강남의료서비스 및 통역서비스 (사진 제공=강남구 의료관광센터)


Beyond Treatment: Healing and Leisure

Gangnam’s medical-tourism model extends far past the operating room. Patients recover amid spa retreats, K-beauty salons, gourmet dining, luxury shopping, and curated cultural outings—creating a full-spectrum wellness itinerary.

One-Stop Support at the Gangnam Medical Tour Center

Located steps from Apgujeong Station, the center offers face-to-face consultations in four languages, hospital referrals, and real-time interpretation. Interactive zones let visitors test medical devices, sip coffee brewed by a robot barista, and sample K-culture exhibits.

The companion platform, Medical Gangnam, provides institution directories, transparent pricing, appointment booking, and live chat in multiple languages.

A Decade-Plus Commitment to Growth

Since designating healthcare a strategic growth engine in 2009, Gangnam has nurtured a public-private ecosystem. Looking ahead, the district aims to evolve into a global health-and-wellness hub where medicine, culture, and well-being converge.

Sora Song / press@themedik.kr
Copyright © 2020 mediK. All rights reserved.

K-Culture&Travel

image
Wellness
Korean Herbal Tea Culture: A Wellness Tradition for Body and Mind
In Korea, traditional herbal teas, known as hanbangcha, are crafted from natural medicinal ingredients like jujube, ginger, licorice, schisandra, and ginseng. These teas are prepared by meticulously cleaning the ingredients and simmering them over low heat for hours to extract their therapeutic properties and aromas, according to cultural sources like ClipArt Korea. Rooted in Korean traditional medicine, or hanuihak, this practice emphasizes harmony between the body and nature, offering a holistic approach to wellness that resonates with modern health-conscious audiences.Constitutional Medicin
image
Wellness
Five Olive Young Masks to Rescue Your Skin From Korea’s Dry Autumn
As autumn settles over South Korea, the air turns crisp and dry, pulling moisture from the skin and leaving it tight, flushed, or flaky. Left unchecked, these small irritations can snowball into bigger troubles. For travelers touching down in Seoul—or anyone curious about the country’s beauty rituals—Olive Young, the ubiquitous K-beauty drugstore, stocks a lineup of sheet masks and pads that address exactly these seasonal gripes. Below are five standouts, each tuned to a different concern: calming redness, locking in hydration, or fading post-blemish marks. Prices reflect current Olive Youn
image
K-Culture & Travel
How to Ride Seoul’s Subways Like a Local: T-money, Etiquette, and Rush-Hour Hacks
South Korea’s subway system is a marvel of precision, cleanliness, and efficiency—one of the world’s best urban transit networks. From Seoul’s sprawling web to the interconnected lines in Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju, the trains are an indispensable lifeline for travelers. Yet for foreigners, everything from buying a fare card to observing unspoken etiquette can feel daunting. This guide distills insider tips so you can ride like a Seoulite.1. Getting Your Transport CardThe workhorse is the T-money card.You can pick one up at any convenience store, subway station, or Incheon International Air
image
K-Culture & Travel
APEC 2025 in Gyeongju: Where Ancient Korea Meets the Global Future
This fall, the millennium-old city of Gyeongju will command the world’s attention. From late October into early November, the HICO (Hwabaek International Convention Center) will host the APEC summit, drawing leaders from 21 economies and some 20,000 delegates. For South Korea, it marks the first time in 20 years—since Busan in 2005—that the country plays host to this gathering of Pacific Rim powers.Why Gyeongju, and why now?Gyeongju is far more than a conference backdrop. For a thousand years the capital of the Silla kingdom, it cradles Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, the Daereungwon tom

Headlines

Doctors & Hospitals