Young Adults Flock to Jongno 5-ga for Hair Loss and Obesity Treatments

"If you haven't made a reservation, you may have to wait over 30 minutes."
On July 24, at 2 p.m., the waiting room of Clinic A, located near Jongno 5-ga Station, was bustling with patients. Known as a hub for hair loss treatments, the clinic was filled with people waiting for their appointments. Kim, a 30-something office worker who took a half-day off to visit the clinic, said, "I found out about Jongno 5-ga after searching online for ways to save on prescriptions and medication costs." He expressed surprise at the long wait, saying, "I didn't expect so many people to be here."
Kim paid 9,900 won for the consultation and 108,000 won for a year's worth of medication. Considering that local clinics typically charge between 10,000 and 20,000 won for consultations and around 150,000 won for a year's supply of medication, this was quite affordable. After his appointment, Kim noted, "With a 7% discount from Onnuri Pay, my total for a year's worth of medication was under 100,000 won," showing his satisfaction with the savings.

At another clinic prominently advertising itself as a "hair loss specialist," young people were also seen waiting. Many clinics in the area reportedly take less than 30 seconds for hair loss consultations and prescriptions. Some patients with prior prescriptions even shared experiences of receiving their prescriptions before fully sitting down in the consultation room. After their appointments, patients headed straight to the pharmacy located downstairs.

Jongno 5-ga, known for over 60 years as a pharmacy district, is undergoing a transformation. Historically, the area attracted mainly customers aged 60 and older, who traveled from distant regions to purchase over-the-counter medications and chronic disease prescriptions at lower prices. Recently, however, there has been a noticeable increase in younger customers in their 20s and 30s seeking affordable hair loss and obesity treatments.

A pharmacist with over 30 years of experience in Jongno 5-ga, Lee, in his 60s, noted, "Most young men come in with prescriptions for hair loss medication. Word has spread about the low prices, and we are busy every day, regardless of the day of the week." He showed a bundle of prescriptions that was thicker than his palm, saying, "This is what came in today."
The rising concern among young men about hair loss is reflected in patient statistics. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 237,009 patients visited clinics for hair loss treatment last year, with 35,803 in their 20s and 50,712 in their 30s, making up 36.5% of all patients.

Young women are also emerging as a new customer base in Jongno 5-ga pharmacies. With the vacation season approaching, many are seeking weight loss medications. A new term, "Jongnoza," combining Jongno and Maunja, has even emerged among the 20- and 30-somethings. Pharmacist Park noted, "Inquiries from women in their 20s and 30s have significantly increased since June. The prices at Clinic A for Maunja or Wigobi prescriptions are quite reasonable."
Nearby pain management clinics are known online as a "Maunja sanctuary." The consultation fee is 5,000 won, which is less than half the typical 10,000 to 15,000 won charged by local clinics. The price for Maunja also varies, with a difference of up to 10,000 won. The first stage (2.5 mg) costs between 275,000 and 280,000 won, while the second stage (5 mg) ranges from 365,000 to 370,000 won. The third (7.5 mg) and fourth stages (7.5 mg) are priced similarly at 530,000 won.

A 20-something woman visiting with friends said, "We came together to save even 10,000 won. Compared to our local options, this is about 10,000 to 20,000 won cheaper, so I think it was worth the trip."

According to a market analysis by Nice Biz Map, the market size of the Jongno 5-ga pharmacy district reached 14.16 billion won as of May this year. As younger consumers flock to the area, the customer demographics are shifting. The number of transactions increased by 2.2% to 224,785, but the average transaction value decreased by 0.9% to 62,988 won. Although the number of customers in their 20s and 30s has risen, their spending patterns have shifted towards value and savings.

The changes in Jongno 5-ga pharmacy street indicate a shift in the market focus. What was once dominated by customers aged 60 and older is now being redefined by the demand for hair loss and obesity management among younger generations.

Lee Eun-hee, a professor of consumer studies at Inha University, stated, "Hair loss treatment and dieting are not one-time expenses; they require ongoing management. For consumers, these areas are closely linked to appearance management and confidence restoration, leading them to seek 'reasonable prices' rather than cutting back on spending entirely. Especially for those in their 20s and 30s, who are accustomed to comparing prices online, the trend of valuing cost-effectiveness in healthcare is growing, directing demand towards competitively priced channels."

However, there are concerns about the potential misuse of prescriptions for hair loss and obesity medications. While wait times at clinics can be long, consultations with specialists often last only 1 to 2 minutes, raising concerns about insufficient evaluation of patients' conditions or treatment purposes, leading to what some describe as "factory-style prescriptions."
Particularly concerning are prescriptions for obesity medications, which can be easily obtained even by individuals with normal weight. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recommends prescribing these medications only to adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who have accompanying conditions like hypertension.

In response to increasing cases of misuse of GLP-1 obesity medications, the Ministry is in the process of revising regulations to designate certain obesity medications as "drugs of concern for misuse." A ministry official stated, "Careful prescribing and usage are necessary. These medications should be used cautiously according to approved dosages and only for patients who meet the criteria for obesity, under the guidance of healthcare professionals."