Can Beauty Become an Obsession? Woman Undergoes 400 Surgeries to Feel ‘Perfect’

A South Korean woman has stunned the internet after revealing she spent 300 million won (about US$210,000) on nearly 400 cosmetic procedures over 15 years.

Gil Lee-won, who appeared on the South Korean show It’s OK to Not Be OK, said her cosmetic journey began in 2010 after being ridiculed for her weight and appearance. Harsh comments from her former boyfriend pushed her to undergo her first surgery — and she hasn’t stopped since.

Her procedures include forehead fat grafting, ear reconstruction, double eyelid surgery, eye correction, nose reshaping, lip surgery, chin contouring, dimple removal, lip fillers, and even shoulder and hip fillers. She has also had multiple full-body liposuction sessions, stem cell injections, and daily dermatological treatments.

Despite a doctor’s advice to stop, Gil continues to visit beauty clinics almost daily, saying she feels more confident now and doesn’t regret her transformation.

Experts warn that such extreme cosmetic habits may reflect deeper emotional struggles tied to self-image and social pressure in South Korea’s beauty-obsessed culture.