Give confidence and happiness
Dr. Gyeolhee Kim is the only board
certified plastic surgeon in Korea actively
volunteering with Médecins Sans Frontières.
She describes her work as helping people find beauty,
confidence, and happiness. To her,
changing a person’s life through medicine
is something she approaches
with genuine passion and care.
Filled with dedication, Dr. Kim is passionate
about being present for her patients and
witnessing firsthand how their lives transform.
Plastic Surgeon | Gyeolhee Kim
Q. Your hairstyle is very striking.
What inspired you to choose
such a distinctive look?
I’ve always been someone
who enjoys trying new things.
Even if my choices are different from
what most people would consider typical,
I tend to follow what I truly want.
It was simply a style I had always
wanted to try at least once.
Q. What inspired you to become involved
with Médecins Sans Frontières?
When I was practicing medicine
in the United States,
I often wondered if this level of treatment
is possible in advanced medical environments,
how is care provided in underdeveloped regions?
Many people assume that plastic surgeons
have limited opportunities to contribute
through Médecins Sans Frontières.
However, while plastic surgery
may not always be directly life-saving,
it goes beyond treatment by helping patients
regain confidence and live better lives.
As a doctor, one of the most rewarding
moments is witnessing how a patient’s life
changes through treatment.
Q. What was the most memorable
treatment experience during your work
with Médecins Sans Frontières?
The most memorable experience
was reconstructive surgery
for children with facial defects.
When children suffer facial deformities,
they often lose essential functions
such as eating, chewing, and speaking.
I performed surgeries to help restore
both function and appearance,
so they could eat properly and live healthier lives.
When oral structures are damaged,
children often struggle not only physically
but also emotionally, especially
in forming relationships with friends.
After surgery, seeing them eat well again,
regain healthy weight, and interact confidently
with their friends is incredibly rewarding.
Those moments bring me the greatest
sense of fulfillment as a doctor.
Q. What led you to study breast reconstruction
surgery while living in the United States?
Before moving to the United States,
I specialized in facial reconstructive
surgery in Korea.
During that time,
I performed microsurgical procedures
involving delicate blood vessel connections,
and breast reconstruction was one of the fields
where these microsurgical techniques
could be applied extensively.
In the United States, when a patient
undergoes surgery for breast cancer,
it is common in some cases to remove
the remaining breast as a preventive measure
and reconstruct both breasts.
In Korea, there has traditionally
been a stronger preference
for preserving the body as naturally as possible,
so this approach has been less common.
However, perceptions are gradually changing.
Today, more patients are seeking reconstructive
procedures to restore breasts after cancer surgery,
as well as corrective surgeries to create
a more balanced and natural appearance.
This is an extremely sensitive area for women,
which is why it requires even greater empathy,
understanding, and care as a surgeon.
Q. You seem to have a very expressive
personality and a wide range of expressions.
I used to be quite reserved and serious.
Meeting my husband changed me
I became more positive and outgoing.
He genuinely loves being around people.
It’s not just that he likes people; he shows
sincere interest by asking questions
and truly wanting to know more about them.
I learned a lot from his attitude.
What I appreciate most is that it naturally
influenced the way I interact with my patients.
Because of that, I’m truly grateful to my husband.
Q. Is there anything you would like to
challenge yourself with beyond being a doctor?
I’ve often thought it would be great
if doctors involved with Médecins Sans Frontières
could work together in the same hospital.
That way, even while some are away
on volunteer missions,
hospital operations could continue smoothly.
I also want to become an influencer.
I’ve been interested in YouTube
and have even planned content ideas.
In the United States, social media is widely
used as a powerful marketing tool,
and personal branding as a doctor is quite common.
I believe that kind of culture will become
increasingly important in Korea as well.
Q. What activities bring you
the most joy outside of work?
I genuinely want to understand
my patients better and build closer
relationships with them.
That’s why I often participate in events
such as breast cancer support group gatherings,
where many of my patients take part.
I enjoy being surrounded by people at these events,
and spending time together helps me
connect with them on a deeper level.
After each event, I feel like I understand
my patients much better,
which is something I truly value.
Q. Outside of the hospital, what kind
of place do you think suits you best?
I think any place surrounded
by people suits me best.
I truly enjoy being around people
and spending time with them.
Being in places where I can connect,
share, and interact with others
makes me feel the happiest.
Exhibition Model at the Plastic Surgery
Museum of BK Plastic Surgery,
where Dr. Gyeolhee Kim is affiliated
