Mihwa Kim loved makeup so much that she became a host on a beauty home shopping show in South Korea — comparing, testing and promoting dozens of products on television. Then in 2013, her career was upended when a devastating car accident left severe wounds on her face and neck requiring more than 60 stitches. Her confidence took a huge hit. For six months she shut herself away at home and avoided sunlight as much as possible while she attempted to recover both physically and emotionally.
As she was undergoing various scar treatments, she discovered medical-grade hydrogel patches which are widely used for wound healing. The water-rich, flexible gel made from biotech fascinated her. “It did more than cover the injured area. It helped create an optimal environment in which the skin could support its own natural recovery process,” said Kim.
The injury completely changed her perspective on beauty. “I realized that healthy skin doesn’t come from applying more products or forcing dramatic changes,” she said. Kim also saw a gap in the beauty market. Medical-grade products were effective but not convenient for daily use and many of the cosmetics brands were easy to use but didn’t deliver results, she explained, so in 2021 founded her Seoul-based skincare brand, Biodance.
