Driven by Criticism and Personal Insecurities, Woman Embraces Ongoing Cosmetic Enhancements
A South Korean woman, Gil Lee-won, has made headlines after revealing that she has undergone nearly 400 cosmetic and dermatological procedures over the past 15 years, spending around 300 million won (approximately USD 210,000) in pursuit of her ideal appearance. Speaking on the popular South Korean TV show It’s OK to Not Be OK, Gil opened up about her long and ongoing journey with cosmetic surgery, which began in 2010.
Gil shared that her decision to begin altering her appearance was initially influenced by weight gain during her college entrance exam preparations, which led to ridicule from those around her. What deeply impacted her, however, was repeated criticism from a former boyfriend about her looks — a painful experience that ultimately pushed her toward drastic changes. “I lost all confidence in myself,” she said during the program, “so I chose to completely transform my appearance.”
Though she did not disclose details about her very first procedure, Gil confirmed that she has undergone a wide range of surgeries and treatments, from minor corrections to extensive reconstructions. Despite the financial cost and the physical toll, she expressed no regrets and affirmed her intention to continue with further enhancements.
Comprehensive List of Procedures and Ongoing Maintenance Regimen
Gil’s transformation has included a diverse array of cosmetic interventions such as forehead fat grafting, ear reconstruction, double eyelid surgery, eye corrections, multiple rhinoplasties (nose jobs), lip and chin surgeries, facial contouring, dimple removal and reversal, and full-body liposuction revisions. She has also had collarbone, neck, and shoulder fillers, hip acupuncture, stem cell injections, and various skin treatments.
Including dermatological and aesthetic maintenance sessions, Gil estimates that she has undergone around 400 procedures — and that number continues to grow. She now frequents dermatology and herbal clinics nearly every day to maintain her appearance and preserve a youthful look.
While one doctor recently advised her to stop further surgeries and instead focus on maintaining her current state, Gil remains committed to her beauty regimen and has expressed a desire to continue making improvements to areas she still finds lacking.
Her story has sparked widespread conversation online, highlighting both the growing normalization of cosmetic surgery in South Korea and the deep psychological impact of beauty standards and societal pressure.
