KNOW · GROW · GLOW
glow tomorrow.
Grace Meeran Lee, M.D.
Aesthetic Physician · IH Clinic · Apgujeong, Gangnam
Certified Physician in South Korea · U.S. & Korea Dual Citizenship
Educated in the United States · Medical degree from Korea
“I believe patients deserve to know what goes on behind the consultation room door. K-beauty insider knowledge — straight from Gangnam, for you. Filler, neuromodulators, HIFU, RF lifting, biostimulators and everything in between. My goal is simple: informed patients, honest results.”
Who is Dr. Danni?
I grew up in the United States, attended elementary and high school there, and came back to Korea for university and medical school. That bicultural background shapes everything about how I practice — I understand both worlds, and I can speak to international patients the way a local doctor simply can't.
I am a board-certified physician in South Korea with U.S.–Korea dual citizenship, currently practicing at IH Clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam. I trained across multiple top clinics in Gangnam, Myeongdong, and Hongdae before settling here.
My medical degree is from The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine — one of the top 5 medical schools in Korea. My undergraduate degree is a double major in International Studies and Business Administration from Korea University.
My philosophy
I became an aesthetic physician because I believe that looking good and feeling good are not vanity — they are confidence, and confidence changes lives. But I also believe that patients are routinely under-informed, sometimes deliberately so. That bothers me.
My goal is simple: informed patients, honest results. I will tell you when a treatment is not right for you. I will tell you what the downtime actually looks like. I will tell you if your budget is better spent elsewhere.
Beyond the clinic
© @knowgrowglow · glowtomorrow.com
Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @knowgrowglow.
“There are three things I do for my wellness — and I do them every day without exception. The first is fasted cardio for eight years and counting. The second is intermittent fasting, aiming for an 18-hour window as often as I can. And the third — which I believe matters most — is a conviction I live by: you are what you eat. Not as a slogan, but as a daily practice. I eat to fuel my body, not to satisfy a craving. Body maintenance and wellness are not a phase for me — they are a lifestyle I am committed to for the long run. And the person I want most to pass all of this on to is my son — the most precious thing in my world.”
Professional Affiliations
Miss Korea 2026 — Official Judge & Presenter
Korea's premier national beauty pageant
Aesthetic Surgery & Laser Society (ASLS)
Korean Academy of Obesity & Aesthetic Treatment (KOAT)
Clinical Training
Catholic Medical Center (CMC) — The Catholic University of Korea
VS Line Clinic, Gangnam
Wiz & Me Plastic Surgery Clinic, Myeongdong
Poen Clinic, Gangnam
Dr. Evers Clinic, Hongdae
IH Clinic, Apgujeong
Education
Korea University — International Studies & Business Administration (double major)
The Catholic University of Korea — College of Medicine, M.D.
One of the top 5 medical schools in Korea
Procedures · Ultherapy
Is Ultherapy Worth It? An Honest Answer From a Seoul Aesthetic Doctor
If you've been researching skin tightening, you've hit a wall of conflicting opinions. Here's what I actually tell patients in my consultation room.
Read more ↓By Dr. Danni (Grace Meeran Lee, M.D.) — board-certified aesthetic physician, Apgujeong, Seoul
What is Ultherapy, in plain language?
Ultherapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy to heat tissue deep beneath the skin. That controlled heat triggers your body to make new collagen over the following months, which can lift and firm areas like the brow, jawline, and neck. There are no cuts and no downtime — but it is not instant, and it is not a facelift.
Does Ultherapy actually work, or is it hype?
It works, but for a specific person. The honest version: Ultherapy gives the best results on people with mild to moderate skin laxity — typically starting in the early 30s. That said, collagen production begins declining as early as age 25, which is why some patients in their late 20s with early laxity can also benefit. If your skin is significantly loose or sagging, ultrasound alone will likely underwhelm you, and a surgical option will give more value for the money.
Understanding the skin layers — and where Ultherapy actually targets
To understand why depth matters, here's a diagram of what lies beneath your skin:
The 4.5mm and 3.0mm tips target the SMAS layer (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System), the same tissue layer addressed in surgical facelifts. This is what makes Ultherapy genuinely effective for lifting.
The 1.5mm tip targets the superficial dermis. Because it sits so close to the skin surface, it can cause welts — a temporary urticarial immune reaction. For this reason, the 1.5mm tip is not commonly used in active clinical practice today.
Is there a quick self-check?
Gently pinch your cheek between your thumb and index finger. If the skin stretches a lot and feels soft and squishy — like mochi, or raw cookie dough — that does not mean you have too much fat. It means your skin is soft and lax in the superficial layers. If that's you, a shallower treatment like SofWave may work better than Ultherapy's deep SMAS targeting.
This is a rough self-check, not a diagnosis. Always consult your doctor in person.
When will I see results?
Visible change typically begins around 1 month after treatment, with continued improvement over 3–6 months.
How long does Ultherapy last?
Results typically last around 1 year. As you age, the maintenance window tends to shorten. For patients who genuinely need lifting, I often recommend twice a year. For those with significant laxity, up to three sessions per year may be appropriate.
How many shots do I need?
A full face including double chin typically requires around 600 shots. If you're only treating the jawline, around 300 shots is common. Adding the neck or eye area will increase the count accordingly.
Does Ultherapy hurt?
Ultherapy Prime, the newer generation, has demonstrated significantly reduced pain scores in clinical data. Many patients now find that numbing cream alone is sufficient. For those still sensitive, additional pain management through medication is available.
Ultherapy vs. Thermage — which one do I need?
If your face feels heavy and full and the sagging is driven by volume or soft tissue weight, Ultherapy is usually the answer. If your skin itself has lost elasticity and hangs loosely, Thermage tends to be more effective. Always consult a doctor for this call.
Is Ultherapy worth the money?
If the indication is right, I can say with confidence: it is absolutely worth it, and then some. The key word is indication. If your laxity, skin quality, and expectations align with what Ultherapy can deliver, the results speak for themselves.
How do I avoid a bad result?
Ask your doctor to design the treatment for you. Before the session, tell your doctor which areas concern you most and where you're worried about looking hollow. A good provider maps shots around your face structure, not a default template.
How can I see Dr. Danni?
You're welcome to reach out via DM on Instagram or TikTok — I read every message. To book in person, please fill out the reservation form and our team will confirm your appointment at IH Clinic.
Where is IH Clinic located?
IH Clinic is located in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul — the heart of Korea's aesthetic medicine district. Easily accessible by subway (Line 3, Apgujeong station). Exact address provided upon booking confirmation.
What's the difference between filler and Botox?
Filler adds physical volume — plumping lips, restoring cheek volume, lifting areas that have lost structure. Botox relaxes muscles — preventing the repeated contractions that cause dynamic wrinkles like forehead lines or crow's feet. Without the muscle movement, the skin above stays smooth. Filler for volume loss; Botox for movement-driven wrinkles.
Body & Wellness · Fitness
The Truth About Fasted Cardio — A Doctor's Perspective
I've done fasted cardio for over eight years, through pregnancy and beyond. Here's what the research actually says.
Read more ↓By Dr. Danni (Grace Meeran Lee, M.D.)
© @knowgrowglow · glowtomorrow.com
I have been doing fasted cardio for over eight years, and it is the single most consistent element of my body composition routine. I continued fasted cardio through my pregnancy (with the exception of the stable period), and the results speak for themselves: eight months after giving birth, my body fat had dropped from 25.4% to 16.2% — lower than it had been in early pregnancy. My muscle mass had actually increased, and I have visible abs. I genuinely believe the fasted cardio habit was a major reason for that outcome.
So what does the medical evidence actually say?
What happens in your body during fasted cardio?
When you exercise in a fasted state, your insulin levels are low and glycogen stores are partially depleted. Your body shifts toward fat oxidation as the primary fuel source. Achten & Jeukendrup (2004) demonstrated that lower carbohydrate availability drives the body to burn a greater proportion of fat for energy.
Achten J, Jeukendrup AE. Optimizing fat oxidation through exercise and diet. Nutrition. 2004;20(7-8):716-727.
Does it make you a better fat-burner long-term?
Consistent fasted training upregulates fat oxidation enzymes and trains your mitochondria to become more efficient at using fat as fuel. You are not just burning fat during the workout. You are building a body that is better at burning fat — even at rest.
What about muscle loss?
The concern is real but overstated for low-to-moderate intensity sessions. At conversational-pace cardio (stairmill, incline walk), the body preferentially oxidizes fat, not protein. My own postpartum data — muscle increased, not decreased — reflects this.
Body & Wellness · Nutrition
Intermittent Fasting: What High-Impact Research Actually Shows
If people ask my body maintenance secrets, two of my top three habits are fasted cardio and intermittent fasting. Here's the science.
Read more ↓By Dr. Danni (Grace Meeran Lee, M.D.)
If people ask my body maintenance secrets, two of my top three habits are fasted cardio and intermittent fasting. I personally aim for a minimum of 16–18 hours of fasting each day. Some days I can't stick to it perfectly — but if you make the effort consistently, you can realistically maintain a 16–18 hour window 4 to 5 days a week.
You may have heard that Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun attributes part of her body maintenance to intermittent fasting, reportedly eating her first meal of the day at 2pm. Whether or not the specific details are exact, the principle is consistent with what the research shows: eating window timing matters, and restricting it works.
What does the strongest research show?
A landmark 2019 review in The New England Journal of Medicine (Impact Factor: 91.3) found consistent benefits of IF across metabolic health markers, weight, inflammation, and longevity pathways. de Cabo & Mattson concluded that IF triggers a metabolic switch from glucose-based to ketone-based energy — improving insulin sensitivity, reducing oxidative stress, and activating autophagy.
de Cabo R, Mattson MP. Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(26):2541-2551. (IF: 91.3)
Sutton et al. (2018) in Cell Metabolism (IF: 27.3) showed that early time-restricted feeding improved insulin sensitivity and blood pressure without any change in calories consumed. The timing alone drove the metabolic benefit.
Sutton EF et al. Early Time-Restricted Feeding Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Blood Pressure, and Oxidative Stress Even without Weight Loss in Men with Prediabetes. Cell Metab. 2018;27(6):1212-1221.
Body & Wellness · Nutrition
You Are What You Eat — And the Science Proves It
We eat for taste. We should eat for our body. The gap between these two ideas is where most people's health quietly suffers — and where I think my mission lies.
Read more ↓By Dr. Danni (Grace Meeran Lee, M.D.)
What clean eating does for your skin
As an aesthetic physician, I see skin every day. And I can read a lot about someone's diet from their complexion before they say a single word. Diets rich in vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and essential fatty acids are associated with better skin structure, reduced wrinkling, and slower photoageing. This is not anecdote — it is well-documented in the nutritional dermatology literature.
High glycaemic index foods and excess sugar, on the other hand, trigger glycation — a process that literally degrades collagen and elastin from the inside out. No amount of filler or Ultherapy fully compensates for a diet that is quietly dismantling your skin's structural proteins. The procedures I perform work best on a body that is well-nourished from within.
So why can't people eat well?
Because healthy food tastes bad — or at least, that's what most people believe. And honestly? In the beginning, they're not entirely wrong. When your palate has been calibrated to processed sugar and fat, unprocessed food genuinely does taste flat. This is not a willpower failure. It is a calibration problem.
The good news is that palates recalibrate. It takes a few weeks of consistent exposure before whole foods start to taste genuinely satisfying. I have been through this myself. An egg, simply prepared, now tastes better to me than most things on a restaurant menu. That sentence would have sounded absurd to me ten years ago.
My mission
I do not think people need to be lectured about nutrition. They know. What they need is to be shown how to make healthy eating sustainable — in a way that fits a real life, a real schedule, a real budget. The goal is not perfection. The goal is a daily default that trends toward whole, real food — year after year. That is what “you are what you eat” means in practice. Not a discipline. A direction.
The science, for those who want it
If you're the kind of person who needs data before changing behaviour — I respect that, I am that person — here is what the research shows. A landmark 2019 Commission report in The Lancet established that diet is the single most powerful modifiable risk factor for global disease burden, with whole-food diets consistently associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and premature death.
Willett W et al. Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. Lancet. 2019;393(10170):447-492. (IF: ~200)
A 2017 study in JAMA estimated that nearly 45% of all cardiometabolic deaths in the US were attributable to dietary factors — not genetics, not age, not stress. Small daily choices, enormous cumulative consequence.
Micha R et al. Association Between Dietary Factors and Mortality From Heart Disease, Stroke, and Type 2 Diabetes in the United States. JAMA. 2017;317(9):912-924. (IF: ~200)
And for skin specifically: diets rich in micronutrients and fatty acids are independently associated with better skin structure and slower ageing — while high-sugar diets accelerate collagen degradation through glycation.
Boelsma E, Hendriks HF, Roza L. Nutritional skin care: health effects of micronutrients and fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(5):853-864.
Body & Wellness · Real Talk
Jun Ji-hyun's Body: Why She Got There, and Why You Could Too
She had two kids and came back with 11-line abs. People think it's genetics. It's not. It's a daily practice — one that anyone can build.
Read more ↓By Dr. Danni (Grace Meeran Lee, M.D.)
Her colleagues call her snack “celery”
There's a telling detail that circulates among people who have worked with her: while others on set reach for chips or sweet snacks, she reaches for vegetables. Celery. Not as a performance of discipline, but apparently because that's just what she likes. Her palate has recalibrated. This is the part that people miss — sustainable body composition is not about white-knuckling your cravings. It's about reaching the point where you no longer crave the things that work against you.
This is not the “Jun Ji-hyun exception”
I know this because I have lived it. I had a baby. I continued fasted cardio through most of my pregnancy. Eight months postpartum, my body fat had dropped from 25.4% to 16.2% — lower than early pregnancy. My muscle mass increased. I have 11-line abs. Not because I'm a doctor, not because I have special access to anything — but because I showed up for fasted cardio and kept my eating window consistent, day after day.
Jun Ji-hyun's routine works because the biology works. Fasted exercise mobilises fat more efficiently. Intermittent fasting keeps insulin low, promotes autophagy, and trains your body to run on fat rather than sugar. A low-glycaemic first meal preserves that metabolic state instead of spiking it. These are not celebrity secrets. They are accessible decisions.
