A doctor with heroic flair has arrived. In Netflix’s upcoming series “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call,” set to premiere on Jan. 24, actor Ju Ji-hoon takes on the role of Baek Kang-hyuk, a muscular surgeon who saves lives, flies helicopters, and performs action-packed stunts. This new series has garnered attention as the first medical drama in a while following the medical crisis in South Korea. Based on a preview of episodes 1 to 4, it combines cartoonish settings with humor to address real-world issues.
The series is based on the webtoon “Trauma Center: Golden Hour” by Hansanleega, a real-life doctor. Medical dramas had become rare due to public division over recent medical crises. Director Lee Do-yoon, speaking on Jan. 23 ahead of the release, said, “There were concerns about releasing the series amid ongoing conflicts, but I hope this mix of fantasy, action, and comedy will help ease the sharp tensions of reality.”
The story follows Baek Kang-hyuk, a genius surgeon who shakes up the flawed trauma care system at a university hospital. The critique of the healthcare system is as strong as the original webtoon, with the protagonist vowing to “get the most out of the government funding.” The depiction of profit-driven hospitals is comically exaggerated, but the drama distinguishes itself with its lively tone. Its fast-paced episodes and compelling characters deliver its message with humor. “This series doesn’t have a clear villain,” Lee said. “I hope viewers will pay attention to the changes in hospital president Choi, who initially clashes with the protagonist. After enjoying the show, I think there will be some points to reflect on in real life.”
As the first medical drama produced by an OTT platform, expectations are high. With a larger budget, viewers wondered how the genre would evolve. Unlike CGI-heavy zombie or creature series, this drama used detailed prosthetics for surgery scenes instead of CGI, significantly increasing costs. “We filmed surgery scenes using realistic models rather than CGI, which took up a large portion of the budget,” Lee explained. Overseas filming, rare for medical dramas, was also included.
“The Trauma Code” embraces a free-spirited approach to genre, featuring an extraordinary protagonist with a wartime background, along with comedic and action elements. However, this diversity may feel chaotic to some viewers. Ju described the series as “a fantastical, exhilarating adventure” and added, “We focused on the angles, music, acting, and pacing to immerse viewers in the story without questioning its plausibility.”
The chemistry between the two male leads is also notable. Actor Choo Young-woo, known for “The Tale of Lady Ok,” plays Yang Jae-won, an awkward but skilled trainee doctor working with Baek Kang-hyuk. Director Lee noted, “Although there were concerns during auditions since Choo had no experience in lead roles, by the final episode, he convincingly portrays a doctor who could genuinely save lives.”
