If you have been on TikTok or Twitter recently, there is a chance you have seen the horrifying work of Dr Kim.
Going by the username jiezou16, Dr. Kim posts his before and after transformations of his plastic surgery and facelift work. The page has 93 videos, all covering facelift surgeries, mostly performed on older people. The captions on the TikTok’s posted on the jiezou16 account span from “the 46 year old sister turns into a little girl after facial lift”, to “It is also a mans right to love beauty. My 58 year old brother has a very good facelift effect.” It is purely bait for the people to trust them more.
The account has been receiving attention for obvious reasons, the patients of Dr. Kim look insane. The social media community believed it to be AI generated, but after further research, Dr. Kim’s facelifts are unfortunately real surgeries. A famous doctor on TikTok, Dr. Youn, said “Plastic surgery coming out of Asia is so extreme it makes me sad.” And as much as the account gets handfuls of comments expressing how horrible these surgeries are, the sad reality is some older people comment that they want these surgeries.
While some of Kim’s patients appear younger in the week following surgery, a significant portion of the TikToker’s audience disapproves of their stretched skin and changed appearance. Comments on numerous videos describe Kim’s patients as resembling characters from a horror movie after the procedures.
Kim’s patients don’t necessarily share their perspective of their surgeries being “botched.” Despite Kim’s prominent presence on TikTok, people continue to seek out his services, and for some, the surgeries are seen as successful transformations. However, there are hints that some patients are probably experiencing pain, possibly stemming from either subpar surgical outcomes or the relatively short period since their procedures. Kim typically showcases his patients about a week after surgery, which may not allow sufficient time for recovery from such invasive and potentially painful procedures.
Many of Dr. Kim’s patients undergo significant transformations under his care, which could be interpreted as evidence of his skill or, in contrast, an indicator that he has no idea what he is doing. The essence of plastic surgery often revolves around altering one’s appearance, and those who go to Dr. Kim definitely experience noticeable changes. While some may appear to have shed years off their age, they may also give off a somewhat artificial or “plastic” look. Whether this outcome is considered successful or not largely depends on individual perspective. Commentary on Dr. Kim’s content reflects a wide spectrum of opinions. While some criticize the transformations as “horrors beyond my imagination” or compare them to the unsettling vibe of the “uncanny valley,” others express admiration for the results, describing them to be “quite worth it” and even seeking information on pricing and location.
Ultimately, individuals have the freedom to decide whether to engage with Dr. Kim’s services or not to. Those unsettled by the transformations can easily seek alternative content elsewhere and steer clear of his plastic surgery practice.
