The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
{{Short description|2025 South Korean television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox television
| name = {{nowrap|The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call}}
| image = The Trauma Code Heroes on Call poster.png
| image_upright = 1.15
| image_alt =
| caption = Promotional poster
| alt_name =
| native_name = {{Infobox Korean television name|hangul=중증외상센터|hanja=重症外傷센터|rr=Jungjeungoesangsenteo|mr=Chungjŭngoesangsent'ŏ|lk=Severe Trauma Center}}
| genre = {{PL|
}}
| based_on = {{Based on|Trauma Center: Golden Hour|Hansanleega|{{quad}}{{nbsp}}Hongbichira}}
| writer = Choi Tae-kang
| director = Lee Do-yoon
| starring = {{PL|
}}
| music = Primary{{cite episode |date=January 24, 2025 |script-title=ko:안전핀이 뽑힌 또라이 |trans-title=Enter Doctor Maniac |series=The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call |language=ko |network=Netflix}}
| open_theme =
| end_theme =
| country = South Korea
| language = Korean
| num_episodes = 8
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{PL|
}}
| cinematography = Choi Sang-mook
| runtime = 47–55 minutes
| company = {{PL|
- Studio N
- Mays Entertainment
}}
| budget =
| network = Netflix
| released = {{Start date|2025|01|24}}
}}
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call ({{Korean|중증외상센터}}) is a 2025 South Korean medical comedy television series written by Choi Tae-kang, directed by Lee Do-yoon, and starring Ju Ji-hoon, Choo Young-woo, Ha Young, Yoon Kyung-ho and Jung Jae-kwang. It is based on the web novel Trauma Center: Golden Hour by Hansanleega and Hongbichira, which was serialized into a Naver Webtoon in 2019. The series follows the journey of Baek Kang-hyuk, a brilliant trauma surgeon who joins a struggling university hospital. It was released on Netflix on January 24, 2025.
Synopsis
Baek Kang-hyuk arrives at a university hospital where the trauma team is struggling to keep up. His arrival shakes things up as he possesses exceptional surgical skills honed through experience in conflict zones worldwide. His unorthodox methods and unshakable confidence initially create friction with the established team. Little by little, he earns their respect and guides them in developing into a leading trauma unit.
Cast and characters
=Main=
- Ju Ji-hoon as Baek Kang-hyuk{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/076/0004020146 |last=Moon |first=Ji-yeon |date=June 16, 2023 |publisher=Sports Chosun |language=ko |script-title=ko:[공식] 주지훈의 '중증외상센터', 넷플릭스로 공개..제작 확정 |trans-title=[Official] Ju Ji-hoon's 'Severe Trauma Center' to be released on Netflix..Production confirmed |access-date=December 28, 2024 |via=Naver}}
: A genius trauma surgeon and ex-mercenary combat medic who becomes the director of the Trauma Unit that became a Trauma Center at Hankuk National University Hospital.
- Choo Young-woo as Yang Jae-won / Anus / Number One
: A fellow who becomes Kang-hyuk's first disciple. He is smart and pacifist who cannot lie. He is also a top scholar student for whole semester in medical school and the only son of a third-generation doctor family.
- Ha Young as Cheon Jang-mi/Gangster
: A nurse with five years of experience in the Trauma Unit at Hankuk National University Hospital.
- Yoon Kyung-ho as Han Yu-rim
: A proctologist and the head of general surgery and colorectal surgery who watches Kang-hyuk closely after losing his protégé, Jae-won.
- Jung Jae-kwang as Park Gyeong-won
: A resident who takes on difficult surgeries in the anesthesiology department right before his specialist exam.
=Supporting=
- Kim Eui-sung as Choi Jo-eun{{cite web |last=Park |first=So-young |date=January 15, 2025 |url=https://www.osen.co.kr/article/G1112488675 |script-title=ko:김의성, '가황' 나훈아 비꼬기? "딱 봐도 훌륭한 어른" |trans-title=Kim Eui-sung, satirizing 'Hwang' Na Hoon-a? "He's a great adult at first glance" |website=OSEN |language=ko |access-date=January 26, 2025}}
: Director of Hankuk National University Hospital.
- Kim Won-hae as Hong Jae-hun{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Mi-sook |date=January 15, 2025 |url=https://www.mhns.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=706928 |script-title=ko:중증외상센터, 웃음·감동·스릴 장착 '팀 중증'의 사이다 활약 스틸 공개 |trans-title=Severe Trauma Center, equipped with laughter, emotion, and thrill, 'Team Severe's' cider activity stills revealed |website=Munhwa Ilbo |language=ko |access-date=January 26, 2025}}
: Director of Planning and Coordination of Hankuk National University Hospital.
- Kim Sun-young as Kang Myeong-hui
: Minister of Ministry of Health and Welfare.
: Team leader of 119 Air Rescue Unit.
- {{ill|Min Young|ko|민영 (배우)}} as Ma Tae-rim
- {{ill|Jang Sung-yoon|ko|장성윤}} as Nurse Kim{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/144/0000900519 |last=Hwang |first=Hyo-i |date=July 17, 2023 |publisher=Sports Kyunghyang |language=ko |script-title=ko:장성윤 "배우로서 각오? 없습니다! 흐트러지지 않을게요"[배우의★발견] |trans-title=Jang Sung-yoon "Determination as an actor? No! I won't get distracted" [Actor's★Discovery] |access-date=December 28, 2024 |via=Naver}}
- Park Jung-yoon as Han Ji-young{{Cite web |date=2025-02-14 |title=Actor Park Jung-yoon increased her immersion with a thorough performance at the "Severe Trauma Cente.. - MK |url=https://www.mk.co.kr/en/entertain/11240832#:~:text=Park%20Jung-yoon%20played%20Han,January,%20stimulated%20viewers'%20curiosity. |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=매일경제 |language=en |quote=Park Jung-yoon played Han Ji-young, the daughter of Han Yu-rim (Yoon Kyung-ho), who was brought in with heart break in the Netflix series "Severe Trauma Center," which was released in January, stimulated viewers' curiosity.}}
: Han Yu-rim's daughter.
: An anesthesiologist.
: A fellow at Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Department who has been with Jae-won since their resident years.
- Jo Jae-young as an emergency medical resident
- Oh Jung-woo as an emergency medical intern
- Bang You-in as Nurse Bang
- Park Gwan-woo as an emergency room nurse 1
- Jang Yoo-jung as an emergency room nurse 2
- Kwon Hye-min as an emergency room nurse 3
- Jo Hoon as a helicopter crew
- {{ill|Lee Geun-hoo|ko|이근후}} as a helicopter pilot
- Kim Seo-joon as a helicopter co-pilot
=Special appearance=
Episodes
{{Episode table |background=#0F2434 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Enter Doctor Maniac
| TranslitTitle = Anjeonpini ppopin ttorai
| NativeTitle = 안전핀이 뽑힌 또라이
| NativeTitleLangCode = ko
| DirectedBy = Lee Do-yoon
| WrittenBy = Choi Tae-kang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 0F2434
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = The Birth of Protégé No.1
| TranslitTitle = 1houi tansaeng
| NativeTitle = 1호의 탄생
| NativeTitleLangCode = ko
| DirectedBy = Lee Do-yoon
| WrittenBy = Choi Tae-kang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 0F2434
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = Keep on Running
| TranslitTitle = Urin gyesong ttwieoya handa
| NativeTitle = 우린 계속 뛰어야 한다
| NativeTitleLangCode = ko
| DirectedBy = Lee Do-yoon
| WrittenBy = Choi Tae-kang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 0F2434
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = Closer Than You Think
| TranslitTitle = Boineun geotboda deo gakkai
| NativeTitle = 보이는 것보다 더 가까이
| NativeTitleLangCode = ko
| DirectedBy = Lee Do-yoon
| WrittenBy = Choi Tae-kang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 0F2434
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = Code Black
| TranslitTitle = Kodeu beullaek
| NativeTitle = 코드 블랙
| NativeTitleLangCode = ko
| DirectedBy = Lee Do-yoon
| WrittenBy = Choi Tae-kang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 0F2434
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = Reasons for Not Giving Up
| TranslitTitle = Pogihaji aneul namanui iyu
| NativeTitle = 포기하지 않을 나만의 이유
| NativeTitleLangCode = ko
| DirectedBy = Lee Do-yoon
| WrittenBy = Choi Tae-kang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 0F2434
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| Title = SOS from South Sudan
| TranslitTitle = Namsudaneseo on gujo sinho
| NativeTitle = 남수단에서 온 구조 신호
| NativeTitleLangCode = ko
| DirectedBy = Lee Do-yoon
| WrittenBy = Choi Tae-kang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 0F2434
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| Title = Patient: Baek Kang-hyuk
| TranslitTitle = Hwanjamyeong: baekganghyeok
| NativeTitle = 환자명: 백강혁
| NativeTitleLangCode = ko
| DirectedBy = Lee Do-yoon
| WrittenBy = Choi Tae-kang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|01|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 0F2434
}}
}}
Production
=Development=
In 2022, Lee Nak-jun, also known by his pen name Hansanleega, an otolaryngologist, YouTuber and web novel writer, appeared as a guest on the February 7 episode of KBS Cool FM's Park Myung-soo's Radio Show. He stated that they already signed a contract for the drama rights of his web novel Trauma Center: Golden Hour and thought of Gong Yoo and Kim Nam-gil to star in the series.{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/609/0000539937 |last=Park |first=Eun-hae |date=February 7, 2022 |publisher=Newsen |language=ko |script-title=ko:이낙준 "의사 아내, 웹소설 헛짓이라고, 공유·김남길 드라마 캐스팅 원해"(라디오쇼) |trans-title=Lee Nak-jun "Doctor's Wife, Web Novel Nonsense, Wants Gong Yoo and Kim Nam-gil to Cast in Drama" (Radio Show) |access-date=December 28, 2024 |via=Naver}} According to a SPOTV News report on September 15, the web novel has recently been decided to be made into a drama and was developed under the working title Severe Trauma Center: Golden Hour ({{Korean|중증외상센터: 골든 아워|rr=Jungjeungoesangsenteo: Goldeun awo|labels=no}}).{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/477/0000381717 |last=Jang |first=Jin-ri |date=September 15, 2024 |publisher=SPOTV News |language=ko |script-title=ko:[단독]'중증외상센터: 골든 아워' 드라마화...주연 주지훈 물망 |trans-title=[Exclusive] 'Trauma Center: Golden Hour' to be dramatized...Ju Ji-hoon is considered as the lead role |access-date=December 28, 2024 |via=Naver}} The series is written by Choi Tae-kang, directed by Lee Do-yoon, and produced by Studio N and Mays Entertainment.{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/277/0005273535 |last=Lee |first=Jong-gil |date=June 16, 2023 |publisher=Asia Economy |language=ko |script-title=ko:현직 의사가 쓴 웹툰, 넷플릭스 드라마 된다 |trans-title=Webtoon Written by a Current Doctor Becomes a Netflix Drama |access-date=December 29, 2024 |via=Naver}}
=Casting=
In September 2022, Ju Ji-hoon was considered to be the lead actor of the series. In January 2023, Ju's agency Blitzway Studios confirmed that they received the offer and are reviewing it.{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003118537 |last=Kim |first=Mi-hwa |date=January 3, 2023 |publisher=Star News |language=ko |script-title=ko:[단독]주지훈, 의사로 돌아온다..'중증외상센터' 출연 확정 |trans-title=[Exclusive] Ju Ji-hoon returns as a doctor..Confirmed to appear in 'Severe Trauma Center' |access-date=December 28, 2024 |via=Naver}} In April 2023, Choo Young-woo has been cast{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003145383 |last=Lee |first=Seung-hun |date=April 18, 2023 |publisher=Star News |language=ko |script-title=ko:[단독]추영우, 주지훈 제자 된다..'중증외상센터' 캐스팅 |trans-title=[Exclusive] Choo Young-woo becomes Ju Ji-hoon's disciple..Cast in 'Severe Trauma Center' |access-date=December 28, 2024 |via=Naver}} and his agency, J,Wide-Company stated that he considered to appear.{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/109/0004832152 |last=Yeon |first=Hwi-sun |date=April 18, 2023 |publisher=OSEN |language=ko |script-title=ko:추영우, 주지훈과 투톱 될까 "'중증외상센터' 검토 중" [공식입장] |trans-title=Will Choo Young-woo and Ju Ji-hoon become a duo? "Reviewing 'Severe Trauma Center'" [Official Position] |access-date=December 28, 2024 |via=Naver}} The cast lineup namely Ju, Choo, Yoon Kyung-ho, Ha Young, and Jung Jae-kwang were revealed in June 2023.{{cite web |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/06/16/entertainment/television/Netflix-drama-original/20230616160454113.html |title=Netflix announces first Korean medical drama series |last=Cho |first=Young-jun |date=June 16, 2023 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |access-date=December 28, 2024 |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110062323/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/06/16/entertainment/television/Netflix-drama-original/20230616160454113.html |url-status=live}}
Release
According to Ize report on December 20, 2024, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call would schedule to be released on January 24, 2025,{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/465/0000009572 |last=Lee |first=Deok-haeng |date=December 20, 2024 |publisher=Ize |language=ko |script-title=ko:[단독] '대세' 주지훈X추영우 '중증외상센터', 내년 1월 24일 출격 |trans-title=[Exclusive] 'Trendy' Ju Ji-hoon X Choo Young-woo 'Severe Trauma Center', to be released on January 24th next year |access-date=December 29, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=December 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220034815/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/465/0000009572 |url-status=live}} but on December 23, Netflix Korea posted a list of titles scheduled to be released in January 2025 on their official social media accounts and the series was listed under coming soon.{{cite web |url=https://news.nate.com/view/20241223n34699 |last=Lee |first=Soo-hyun |date=December 23, 2024 |publisher=Top Star News |language=ko |script-title=ko:SBS 예능·드라마→영화 '베테랑2'...넷플릭스 1월 공개 예정작 보니 |trans-title=SBS entertainment/drama→movie 'Veteran 2'...Netflix's January release schedule |access-date=December 28, 2024 |via=Nate}} Two weeks later, Netflix officially confirmed the release date.{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/382/0001171747 |last=Choi |first=Yoon-na |date=January 7, 2025 |work=Sports Donga |language=ko |script-title=ko:'신의 손' 주지훈 온다…'중증외상센터' 1월 24일 공개 |trans-title='Hand of God' Ju Ji-hoon is coming...'Severe Trauma Center' to be released on January 24th |access-date=January 7, 2025 |via=Naver}}
Reception
=Audience viewership=
The word-of-mouth success of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is reflected in its numbers. From January 27 to February 2, the show recorded 11.9 million views (calculated by dividing total watch hours by the runtime), reaching the first place of Netflix's global non-English TV rankings just 10 days after its release. The series topped the charts in 17 countries, including Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Chile and Peru, and entered the Top 10 in 63 countries, including New Zealand, France, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, India, Japan and Egypt. According to Good Data Corporation, a Korean content analytics firm, the show's buzz surged by 140 percent compared to the previous week, making it 2.5 times more talked about than Squid Game season 2.{{cite web |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2025/02/398_392292.html|work=The Korea Times|title='The Trauma Code' tops Netflix's global non-English TV chart|access-date=February 19, 2025}}
=Critical response=
Pierce Conran of South China Morning Post rated the series four out of five and praised Ju Ji-hoon's acting, "central to the show's success is Ju, who has seldom been better as the picture-perfect Baek Kang-hyuk, an enormously attractive role that complements his strong points." He added that "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is a show that takes the medical action drama formula honed by shows like Dr. Romantic and both pares it down and amps it up. The characters are simpler, as is the drama, with the focus squarely on scratching viewers' itch for heroic highs."{{cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3296051/netflix-k-drama-trauma-code-heroes-call-review-ju-ji-hoon-cuts-dashing-figure|work=South China Morning Post|title=Review The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call review – Ju Ji-hoon cuts dashing figure in Netflix K-drama|access-date=January 24, 2025|last=Conran |first=Pierce}}
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! scope="col" | Award ceremony ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Nominee ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="5" | Baeksang Arts Awards
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center" | 2025 | The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call | {{nom}} | rowspan="5" style="text-align:center" | {{Cite web|title='제61회 백상예술대상 with 구찌' 5월 5일 개최 확정|url=https://news.jtbc.co.kr/article/NB12241724|website=JTBC News|last=Park |first=Jeong-seon|date=April 7, 2025|access-date=April 7, 2025|archive-date=April 7, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250407084233/https://news.jtbc.co.kr/article/NB12241724|url-status=live}} |
|---|
| Best Director
| Lee Do-yoon | {{nom}} |
| Best Actor
| {{won}} |
| Best Supporting Actor
| {{nom}} |
| Best New Actress
| Ha Young | {{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Netflix title}}
- {{IMDb title}}
- {{HanCinema drama}}
{{Studio N (company)}}
{{Netflix original current series}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, The}}
Category:2025 South Korean television series debuts
Category:Korean-language television shows
Category:Netflix television dramas
Category:South Korean comedy television series
Category:South Korean medical television series
Category:South Korean pre-produced television series