Gangnam
Chief MD
Duk-ha Kim
The trust our patients have placed in this clinic was built on conviction and principle. We intend to hold to both, unchanged, through the next hundred years.
Career
Treatment comparison
ONDA vs Ultherapy PRIME at Abijou Gangnam: microwave or focused ultrasound, and what the menu lists
ONDA and Ultherapy PRIME are not two grades of the same treatment. ONDA uses 2.45 GHz microwaves (DEKA calls the technology Coolwaves®) through Deep or Shallow handpieces with contact cooling; it is neither a laser nor radiofrequency. Ultherapy PRIME uses micro-focused ultrasound at set depths (1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm transducers) while the operator views tissue layers on screen. Abijou Gangnam sells ONDA face lines by kilojoules and Ultherapy PRIME by shots, so the two menu numbers cannot be lined up directly. Which one, if either, suits you is decided at an in-person consultation.
- ONDA
- 2.45 GHz microwaves (Coolwaves®); Deep and Shallow handpieces with contact cooling at 5 °C
- Ultherapy PRIME
- Micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V); transducers 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm
- Gangnam menu units
- ONDA face lines in kJ (40, 60, 80 and 100 kJ); Ultherapy PRIME in shots (100, 300, 600, 900; Eye 100)
- Price snapshot
- Booking-centre menu, 2026-10-12, VAT excluded, not a current quote
Language support and contact channels
This branch lists KakaoTalk, WhatsApp for international enquiries. Channel availability and the language of the responding staff can vary, so confirm both when you contact the clinic.
- KakaoTalk: use the official contact link in the booking section below.
- WhatsApp: use the official contact link in the booking section below.
Is ONDA a kind of Ultherapy, or the other way round?
Neither. They come from different makers and use different energy. ONDA is a microwave device made by DEKA; Ultherapy PRIME is a focused-ultrasound system from Ulthera/Merz Aesthetics. Booking menus sometimes file ONDA under laser or radiofrequency headings, but DEKA describes it as microwave.
DEKA states that ONDA delivers 2.45 GHz microwaves, a technology it markets as Coolwaves®, and that, unlike radiofrequency technologies which primarily disperse energy in superficial skin layers, Coolwaves® are preferentially absorbed by adipose tissue. That is the maker’s own description of absorption, not a trial against another device.
Ultherapy PRIME is the control unit Merz Aesthetics launched on 23 September 2024. It holds its own U.S. 510(k) record, K233996 (decided 22 February 2024), and delivers micro-focused ultrasound while the operator checks the tissue layers on screen; Merz Korea names this imaging function DeepSEE.
Sources: DEKA official — ONDACoolwaves® official (DEKA)FDA 510(k) K233996 — Ulthera System (UC-1 Control Unit PRIME)Merz Aesthetics — Ultherapy PRIME launch (2024-09-23)Merz Korea — Ultherapy PRIME
How is each one planned: by handpiece or by transducer depth?
ONDA is planned by handpiece and energy, Ultherapy PRIME by depth and lines. DEKA describes a Deep handpiece for localized fat and a Shallow handpiece for cellulite, skin laxity and the double chin; the Coolwaves® site lists Pocket, Deep and Shallow handpieces with contact cooling at 5 °C. Merz Korea lists Ultherapy PRIME transducers at 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm, and Merz Aesthetics Taiwan describes the 4.5 mm transducer as reaching the SMAS layer.
- ONDA: the published expert recommendations describe the Shallow handpiece focusing at about 0.7 cm and the Deep handpiece at about 1.2 cm. Contact cooling keeps the skin surface cool while energy is delivered.
- Ultherapy PRIME: the operator views the tissue layers on screen before energy is delivered, and depth is chosen per area, so two quotes naming the same brand can plan different depths and different numbers of lines.
- Neither description tells you which one fits your face or body. That is the clinician’s assessment, made in person.
Sources: DEKA official — ONDACoolwaves® official (DEKA)DEKA official — ONDA PlusInternational Advisory Board recommendations, Bioengineering 2024;11(12):1249Merz Korea — Ultherapy PRIMEMerz Aesthetics Taiwan — PRIME
Where do the two overlap, and why does the chin area get asked about?
The makers’ wording touches the same region in different terms. DEKA lists the double chin as handled by the Shallow handpiece, alongside cellulite and skin laxity. The official Ultherapy wording covers lifting the eyebrow and the skin on the neck and under the chin, improving lines and wrinkles on the décolleté, and, through a later clearance (K243035, decided 24 February 2025), skin laxity on the abdomen, arms and knees.
- An overlapping area name does not make the two treatments interchangeable: one is microwave energy, the other focused ultrasound, and each is planned with different settings.
- The 12 October 2026 Gangnam menu lists one October-limited line that combines the two for the double chin (see the menu section below). A menu line is a pricing format, not a medical recommendation to combine.
- DEKA also lists the abdomen, knees, hips, buttocks and underarms for ONDA. Areas and configurations offered depend on the clinic and market, so confirm which ones apply to your plan.
Sources: DEKA official — ONDADEKA official — ONDA PlusUltherapy official — physicians, body indicationMerz Korea — Ultherapy PRIME
What does 60 kJ mean next to 300 shots?
They count different things. In the published expert recommendations, the kilojoule figure for ONDA is the total energy delivered to a 15 × 15 cm zone in one session, so it describes how much energy is delivered, not a strength grade. An Ultherapy PRIME shot count is a number of ultrasound deliveries, and what each covers depends on the transducer depth and area.
- ONDA lines on the Gangnam menu are labelled as face lines in kilojoules (40, 60, 80, 100). The published kJ definition is per zone and per indication, so ask the branch which areas and how many zones a menu line covers.
- Ultherapy PRIME lines are labelled in shots, with a separate Eye 100-shot line. Ask which transducer depths and how many lines per area the shot count is meant to cover.
- A larger number on either menu is not a measure of result, and a kJ figure cannot be converted into shots.
Sources: International Advisory Board recommendations, Bioengineering 2024;11(12):1249Merz Korea — Ultherapy PRIMEMerz Aesthetics Taiwan — PRIME
What kind of published evidence sits behind each device?
Different kinds, and neither supports a ranking. For ONDA, the recommendations paper is a consensus document from 27 experts, and the one-year follow-up (n = 34) was an observational study with no control group and no randomization; three of its authors are employed by the manufacturer, El.En. Group. For micro-focused ultrasound, a 2024 meta-analysis pooled 42 MFU-V studies, of which only 2 were controlled trials.
- The same MFU-V meta-analysis reported a pooled mean pain score of 4.85 out of 10 across studies that used different settings, areas and protocols; it describes the literature, not one appointment.
- The ONDA one-year study scored cellulite and fat with GAIS, a subjective global improvement scale, so it records an assessor’s impression rather than a physical measurement.
- Small or uncontrolled studies describe what was seen in those participants; they cannot show how much of a change the device caused and are not a promise of an individual result.
Sources: International Advisory Board recommendations, Bioengineering 2024;11(12):1249Skin Research and Technology 2023 — 1-year follow-upMFU-V systematic review & meta-analysis, Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2024
Visiting Abijou Gangnam and booking
The branch is a one-minute walk from Gangnam Station. Reserve through the official booking centre, KakaoTalk or WhatsApp; payment is made at the clinic on the day, with no deposit or online prepayment.
- Getting there
- About 100 m from Exit 10 of Gangnam Station (Line 2 and Sinbundang Line), about 1 minute on foot
- Address
- 3F, 11F & 13F, Nude Zone Building, 9 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06615
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 10:00–14:00 and 15:00–20:00; Sat 10:00–16:30 (no lunch break); closed Sundays and public holidays
- Languages
- English, Japanese and Chinese alongside Korean
- Messengers
- KakaoTalk, WhatsApp
- Phone
- 1544-0377
What should you ask before choosing between them?
These questions keep the decision about your skin and a written plan, not a brand name.
- Which device fits my concern and area, and why that one rather than the other, or neither?
- For ONDA: which model and handpiece, which areas, how many zones, how many kJ per zone, how many sessions and at what interval?
- For Ultherapy PRIME: which control unit, which transducer depths, how many lines per area?
- Is the quote a regular, trial or limited-time line, and is VAT included?
- Registrations apply country by country: ask which national registration covers the unit used in Korea.
- Disclose pregnancy or breastfeeding, implanted electronic devices or metal near the area, active skin infection, medicines affecting bleeding or healing, and recent fillers, toxins, lasers or other energy treatments.
ONDA and Ultherapy PRIME, side by side
Use this table to line up what to confirm. It is not a ranking and does not say one device works better.
| Factor | ONDA | Ultherapy PRIME |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 2.45 GHz microwaves (Coolwaves®) from DEKA | Micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) |
| Planned by | Handpiece (Deep, Shallow; PLUS on ONDA Plus) and energy | Transducer depth (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 mm) and number of lines |
| Maker-listed areas | Abdomen, knees, hips, buttocks, underarms; double chin via Shallow | Eyebrow, neck and under the chin, décolleté; abdomen, arms and knees through a later U.S. clearance |
| Gangnam menu units | Face lines in kJ: 40, 60, 80, 100 | Shots: 100, 300, 600, 900; Eye 100 |
| Gangnam regular prices (2026-10-12, VAT excl.) | KRW 649,000 to KRW 869,000 | KRW 429,000 to KRW 3,267,000 |
| Published evidence | Expert consensus and small observational studies | Pooled meta-analysis of 42 studies, 2 of them controlled |
| Ask at consultation | Model, handpiece, areas, zones, kJ per zone, sessions | Control unit, transducer depths, lines per area |
A consultation map, not an efficacy comparison.
Sources: DEKA official — ONDACoolwaves® official (DEKA)Merz Korea — Ultherapy PRIMEMerz Aesthetics Taiwan — PRIMEInternational Advisory Board recommendations, Bioengineering 2024;11(12):1249MFU-V systematic review & meta-analysis, Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2024
Abijou Gangnam menu, ONDA and Ultherapy PRIME (snapshot 2026-10-12)
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| ONDA 60kJ, 1 session | KRW 649,000 |
| ONDA 80kJ, 1 session | KRW 759,000 |
| ONDA 100kJ, 1 session | KRW 869,000 |
| Ultherapy PRIME 100 shots, 1 session | KRW 429,000 |
| Ultherapy PRIME 300 shots, 1 session | KRW 1,089,000 |
| Ultherapy PRIME 600 shots, 1 session | KRW 2,613,600 |
| Ultherapy PRIME 900 shots, 1 session | KRW 3,267,000 |
| Ultherapy PRIME Eye 100 shots, 1 session | KRW 429,000 |
| ONDA 40kJ, 1 sessionFirst-visit trial | KRW 319,000 |
| ONDA 40kJ & Titanium 40kJ, 1 sessionFirst-visit trial | KRW 649,000 |
| Ultherapy PRIME 100 shots, 1 sessionFirst-visit trial | KRW 306,900 |
| ONDA 60kJ, 1 sessionOctober limited | KRW 429,000 |
| ONDA 100kJ, 1 sessionOctober limited | KRW 649,000 |
| Sculptra & ONDA, 1 sessionOctober limited | KRW 869,000 |
| Ultherapy & ONDA Double Chin Intensive Care, 1 sessionOctober limited | KRW 979,000 |
Historical example from the 12 October 2026 booking-centre snapshot for Abijou Gangnam. VAT excluded; trial and limited-time lines are marked and can change by visit date; not a current quote.
Medical care at Abijou
Consultation and treatment are provided by the medical team at this branch. The clinician shown leads the branch; the doctor assigned to your visit may vary, so confirm the assignment when booking.
Listed branch medical team — not a medical-review byline for this article.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ONDA and Ultherapy?
The energy. ONDA delivers 2.45 GHz microwaves through Deep or Shallow handpieces with contact cooling, and is planned by handpiece and kilojoules. Ultherapy PRIME delivers micro-focused ultrasound at set depths (1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 mm) while the operator views the tissue layers, and is planned by depth and lines.
Is ONDA a laser, or the same as HIFU?
No to both. DEKA describes ONDA as microwave technology, so it is neither a laser nor radiofrequency, and it is not ultrasound. HIFU is a category word for focused-ultrasound devices; Ultherapy PRIME is one named system in that family. Ask for the manufacturer and model name rather than the category word.
Which is better for a double chin, ONDA or Ultherapy?
This page does not rank them for any area. DEKA lists the double chin among the uses of the ONDA Shallow handpiece, and the official Ultherapy wording covers lifting skin on the neck and under the chin. Which approach suits you is a judgement about your tissue made in person.
Which is better for me?
That depends on your skin, tissue and the areas you want treated, so it is decided at an in-person consultation. Bring your concerns, medical history and travel dates, and ask the doctor to explain why one device, both or neither fits.
How do I read 60 kJ on an ONDA menu next to 300 shots on an Ultherapy menu?
They count different things. In the published expert recommendations the kJ figure is the total energy delivered to a 15 × 15 cm zone in one session; an Ultherapy PRIME shot count is a number of ultrasound deliveries. Neither converts into the other, so ask what areas and settings each line covers.
How much do ONDA and Ultherapy PRIME cost at Abijou Gangnam?
In the 12 October 2026 snapshot (VAT excluded), regular ONDA face lines were KRW 649,000 for 60 kJ, KRW 759,000 for 80 kJ and KRW 869,000 for 100 kJ. Regular Ultherapy PRIME lines were KRW 429,000 for 100 shots, KRW 1,089,000 for 300, KRW 2,613,600 for 600 and KRW 3,267,000 for 900. Trial and October-limited lines are marked separately. These are menu prices for one session, not a quote.
Can ONDA and Ultherapy be done together at Gangnam?
The 12 October 2026 menu lists one October-limited line, Ultherapy & ONDA Double Chin Intensive Care, at KRW 979,000 (VAT excluded). It is a pricing format, not a recommendation to combine; whether combining suits you, and in which order, is the doctor’s decision at consultation.
How do I book, and do I pay in advance?
Reserve through the official booking centre, KakaoTalk or WhatsApp. Payment is made at the clinic on the day; there is no deposit and no online prepayment. If you are travelling, give the branch your departure date before booking.
How Abijou works
We started in Gangnam in 2006 and the network now runs 17 branches across Korea. The line we work to is skin transformation woven into everyday life — care you can keep up with, rather than one dramatic intervention.
- Opened in 2006, the first Abijou branch — now one of 17 nationwide
- We look at the condition first and propose only the scope it needs
- We quote the official published price list as it stands
- Across the 17 branches in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon and Busan: over 1,000 medical professionals and more than 350 certified medical devices
- Authentic products only, in appropriate amounts — the treatment is fitted to the condition, not to a package
Contact and location
- Address
- 3F, 11F & 13F, Nude Zone Building, 9 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06615, Republic of Korea
- Directions
- About 100 m from Exit 10 of Gangnam Station on Subway Line 2 and the Sinbundang Line — about a 1-minute walk. From Exit 9 it is 126 m, about 2 minutes: come out of Exit 9, walk straight toward Megabox, and the building is the one with a 7-Eleven on the ground floor.
- Hours
- Mon–Fri, morning · 10:00 – 14:00 / Mon–Fri, afternoon · 15:00 – 20:00 / Saturday (no lunch break) · 10:00 – 16:30 / Sunday & public holidays · Closed
- Phone
- 1544-0377
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