SMILE LASIK in Gangnam, Seoul: Clinics, Cost & Patient Guide
Why do so many people choose Gangnam for SMILE?
Because the blocks around Gangnam Station hold more refractive clinics than any other part of Seoul, so you can compare two or three SMILE consultations in a single afternoon on foot. The area is a business and nightlife district built along Gangnam-daero and Teheran-ro, with offices, department stores and late-opening restaurants rather than sightseeing.
One quirk matters when you read addresses: Gangnam-daero is the border between Gangnam-gu (east) and Seocho-gu (west). Clinics on the west side of Gangnam Station, such as B&VIIT at Exit 9, have a Seocho-gu address even though everyone calls them "Gangnam" clinics. Our Seocho SMILE page covers the west side in more detail.
How do I get to Gangnam from Incheon or Gimpo airport?
From Incheon, the simplest option is an airport limousine bus, which takes about 70 minutes. From Gimpo, the Line 9 express train reaches Sinnonhyeon, one stop from Gangnam Station on the Shinbundang Line, in about 35 minutes.
| Route | How | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Incheon → Gangnam Station | Limousine 6009 (Sinsa, Sinnonhyeon, Gangnam stops) | ~70 min, ~₩18,000 |
| Incheon → Sinnonhyeon / Seolleung | Limousine 6703 | ~70 min |
| Incheon → Sinnonhyeon | AREX to Gimpo, then Line 9 | ~80 min |
| Gimpo → Sinnonhyeon | Line 9 express (local trains are slower) | ~35 min |
| Incheon → Gangnam by taxi | Regular taxi | 70–90 min, ~₩70,000–100,000 |
Times depend on traffic; see our Incheon Airport to Gangnam guide for late-night options.
Which clinics near Gangnam Station list SMILE?
The clinics below list SMILE on their official or listing pages that we checked in November 2026. This is not a ranking; check each one's devices and surgeons yourself.
- Eyereum Eye Clinic – 6–7F, Gangnam Center Building, 388 Gangnam-daero (Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu), about 80 m from Gangnam Station. Lists SMILE, SMILE Pro, LASIK, LASEK, lens implants and cataract surgery; its English site names VisuMax and AMARIS lasers. Eyereum profile.
- B&VIIT Eye Center – GT Tower, 411 Seocho-daero (Seocho-gu), Gangnam Station Exit 9. Lists SMILE Pro, SMILE, LASIK, LASEK, phakic lenses and refractive cataract surgery. B&VIIT profile.
- Gangnam BSM Eye Clinic – opposite Gangnam Station Exit 1. Lists its own SMILE-type options (Smart Smile, Silk Smile) on a SCHWIND ATOS laser, plus LASEK and ICL, with English and Chinese support.
What should I compare between Gangnam SMILE clinics?
Compare the laser platform, the surgeon and the aftercare plan, not just the price. Gangnam clinics do not all use the same technology for "SMILE": ZEISS's lenticule procedure runs on the VisuMax 500 (classic SMILE) or VisuMax 800 (SMILE Pro), while some clinics market lenticule surgery on other platforms, such as the SCHWIND ATOS, under their own names. These are related but not identical treatments, so ask exactly which device and software will be used on your eyes.
Other points worth putting in writing before you book:
- Surgeon: who operates, and how many lenticule procedures they have performed.
- Screening: whether corneal tomography, epithelial mapping and dry-eye tests are included.
- Enhancement: how an under-correction would be treated after SMILE, how long any free-enhancement window lasts, and who pays.
- Contact-lens break: how many days without lenses the clinic requires before measurements.
- Aftercare abroad: an English summary of your treatment and the drops schedule for your eye doctor at home.
Gangnam clinics are busiest on Saturdays and around Korean school holidays, so book weekday consultations in advance and arrive with your current glasses prescription. See VisuMax 500 vs 800, Contoura vs SMILE and the pre-op eye exam in Korea.
How does Gangnam compare with Myeongdong or Apgujeong for SMILE?
Gangnam gives you the most choice; Myeongdong gives you the most convenient sightseeing base. At the clinic we checked in Myeongdong we found no SMILE listing, so Myeongdong-based visitors usually travel here or to Sinsa for the procedure.
| Gangnam | Myeongdong | Apgujeong / Sinsa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMILE clinics we verified | Several within 500 m of the station | None verified | Three, along Nonhyeon-ro and Gangnam-daero |
| Feel | Office and nightlife district | Shopping and tourist hub | Upscale shopping and residential |
| Airport link | Limousine, or Line 9 from Gimpo | AREX to Seoul Station, then Line 4 | Limousine 6009 stops at Sinsa |
See Gangnam vs Myeongdong and SMILE in Apgujeong & Sinsa.
What is SMILE and who is a good candidate?
SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) uses a femtosecond laser to shape a thin lens of tissue inside the cornea, which the surgeon removes through a small incision, so no LASIK-style flap is cut. ZEISS's VISUMAX 800, which runs SMILE Pro, is FDA-approved for nearsightedness with or without astigmatism and creates the lenticule in under 10 seconds. Good candidates have stable myopia, healthy, thick enough corneas and no uncontrolled eye disease. SMILE is generally not used for farsightedness, and a full exam decides. Read our SMILE treatment guide, SMILE vs SMILE Pro and SMILE recovery timeline.
Risks to discuss include dry eye, glare or halos, under- or over-correction, and the fact that enhancements after SMILE are usually done with a surface treatment instead of re-opening the pocket. No clinic can guarantee a result.
How much does SMILE cost in Gangnam?
Gangnam prices sit in the Seoul ranges below. Packages usually include the pre-op exam, surgery and early follow-ups, but check this in writing.
- SMILE: ₩2.2M–₩3.2M both eyes (approximately $1,600–$2,350)
- SMILE Pro: ₩3M–₩5M both eyes, typically around ₩4M (approximately $2,200–$3,700)
Ranges were checked in 2026 at about ₩1,350–1,400 per US dollar. See SMILE cost and SMILE Pro cost.
Where should I stay near Gangnam's SMILE clinics?
Stay within one or two subway stops of your clinic: the Gangnam Station–Yeoksam stretch of Teheran-ro has business hotels within walking distance, Sinnonhyeon gives you the Line 9 link to Gimpo, and the COEX/Samseong area is one Line 2 ride away. Plan 2–4 nights after SMILE for the day-1 and early checks. See where to stay near Gangnam eye clinics.
Sources
Key facts
- Main stations: Gangnam (Line 2, Shinbundang) and Sinnonhyeon (Line 9 express, Shinbundang)
- From Incheon: limousine 6009 or 6703, about 70 minutes
- From Gimpo: Line 9 express to Sinnonhyeon, about 35 minutes
- SMILE price: ≈₩2.2M–₩3.2M both eyes (SMILE Pro ≈₩3M–₩5M, typically around ₩4M)
- Cost detail: SMILE cost in Korea
Related guides
Independent directory. Prices are typical ranges reported by Seoul clinics and change often. Always confirm a written quote and get a full eye exam before booking. This page is general information, not medical advice.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I have SMILE in Gangnam on the same trip as my exam?
Often yes, if your measurements are stable and your corneas qualify. Stop soft contact lenses for the period your clinic specifies before the exam, and allow a few days afterwards for follow-ups.
Is SMILE Pro available near Gangnam Station?
Yes. Eyereum and B&VIIT both list SMILE Pro. Ask which laser platform and software version will be used for your eyes.
Is B&VIIT in Gangnam or Seocho?
Both, in practice. It is at Gangnam Station Exit 9, but on the west side of Gangnam-daero, so its official address is in Seocho-gu.
How long should I stay in Seoul after SMILE?
Many visitors plan 2–4 nights so they can attend the next-day check and at least one early follow-up. Confirm the schedule with your surgeon.
Is SMILE better than LASIK?
Neither is better for everyone. SMILE avoids a flap, while LASIK treats a wider range of prescriptions. See SMILE vs LASIK.
Planning vision correction in Seoul?
Compare clinics by district, check 2026 price ranges, and read our step-by-step planning guide for international patients.