A Story That Shaped Reborn Seoul

In the winter of 2023, a friend introduced me to someone who was preparing to undergo facial feminization surgery in Korea. She had never met me before — and although I offered to answer any question she had, she remained quiet at first. Later, she shared that she wasn’t sure if she could trust me, or whether I might hold bias toward transgender people.

All she asked was whether I could accompany her to her hospital consultations the next day.

At the time, I was recovering from a leg injury and using a wheelchair. Moving around Gangnam was far from easy, but I knew how much this moment meant to her. So I went with her — from clinic to clinic — not knowing exactly how I could help, but believing that no one should face such a life-changing decision alone.

It quickly became clear why being there mattered. Some interpreters failed to convey critical medical details — even confusing left and right. When surgeons explained complex procedural options, the nuance was often lost. I stepped in to clarify, translate accurately, and ensure she fully understood what was being said. Not as a coordinator, but as a physician who cared that she made her decision with clarity and confidence.

As we spent time together, she began to open up — about her life, her transition, and the difficult journey she had walked. That day was also when I truly began to understand the depth of the transgender experience.

After visiting multiple clinics, she carefully weighed her options. I offered medical insight into aspects that are often invisible to patients — from infection control standards to professional reputations within the surgical community. When she finally chose her surgeon and moved forward with surgery, I remained available, helping her navigate post-operative concerns and unexpected anxieties.

That experience was the beginning. Since then, I’ve supported several individuals through their FFS journeys — and through them, I came to understand just how much guidance, safety, and genuine care international transgender patients truly need.