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Netflix released The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call starring Ju Ji-hoon, Choo Young-woo, and Ha Young on Friday, January 24, 2025. The drama is adapted from the webtoon Trauma Center: Golden Hour penned by Hansanleega. It follows the story of Baek Kang-hyuk, depicted by Ju Ji-hoon, a traumatologist who has performed surgeries and saved lives in war zones.
Baek Kang-hyuk is a medical genius with a short temper who would not compromise in any condition when it comes to his patients. He has now been appointed as the leader of the Trauma Department at a university hospital, which has been neglected for years. While combating internal politics at the hospital, Baek Kang-hyuk works to turn the department into a Trauma Center, with the goal of saving more people's lives.
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Meanwhile, Choo Young-woo plays the role of Yang Jae-won, a soft-hearted fellow surgeon, who has topped all the semesters receiving scholarships in college. Baek Kang-hyuk picked Yang Jae-won as his first protége. Furthermore, Ha Young portrays the role of Cheon Jang-mi, a senior nurse in the Trauma Department with four years of experience.
By the end of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Baek Kang-hyuk was successful in getting approval for establishing Heleport alongside an EMS Helicopter which would help receive trauma patients as quickly as possible, without missing the golden hour.
The drama gave a holistic ending to the pilot season. While renewal possibilities of a second season are high, Netflix is yet to confirm it.
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call Ending Explained: Yang Jae-won becomes patient Baek Kang-hyuk's lead surgeon
After returning from the South Sudan mission in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call episode 8, Baek Kang-hyuk learned that general surgeon Han Yu-rim (Yoon Kyung-ho) had gone to the site where the fire had occurred. Baek Kang-hyuk borrowed Minister Kang’s car and went to the site directly.
Meanwhile, Yang Jae-won, Cheon Jang-mi, Park Gyeong-won escorted Lee Hyeon-jong to the hospital. On the site, Baek Kang-hyuk, who was about to check on the last patient, was hit by an explosion and fell hard on the ground. He was dizzy and suspected that it might be internal bleeding. Yang Jae-won became the lead surgeon in Baek Kang-hyuk's operation.
At first Yang Jae-won was torn between taking a CT Scan or doing an emergency surgery to save him within the Golden Hour. He followed Baek Kang-hyuk’s teachings to make a decision. As per his observation, Yang Jae-won decided to perform an emergency surgery.
As Baek Kang-hyuk gained consciousness, he asked Yang Jae-won about how he operated on his body. Yang Jae-won nervously yet confidently responded, and Baek Kang-hyuk was impressed by his work. Surprisingly, Baek Kang-hyuk called Yang Jae-won by his name.
As the end of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call approached, Baek Kang-hyuk revealed the truth about him becoming a doctor. Baek Kang-hyuk visited Director Choi Jo-eun (Kim Eui-sung) and asked him why he was not coming to work. This was because the emergency meeting regarding the EMS helicopter agenda was around the corner.
Choi Jo-eun was frustrated watching Baek Kang-hyuk doing things his way and asked him why he came to Hankuk University Hospital of all places. Baek Kang-hyuk told him how his father was not accepted to any hospital due to the traumatic injuries.
He was in high school, and Hankuk University Hospital was the last one that finally took his father in, and a doctor did not give up on him even when the Golden Hour had already passed. That doctor was Choi Jo-eun.
Baek Kang-hyuk stated that Choi Jo-eun from 26 years ago was the one who inspired him to become a doctor. He further questioned what happened to the Choi Jo-eun he saw for the first time who worked hard to save his patients. Choi Jo-eun was hit by guilt and approved the Heleport and EMS Helicopter project.
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call season 2 renewal possibilities explored
In the final episode of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call Yang Jae-won and Baek Kang-hyuk encouraged young students and fellows to join the Trauma Center.
There, they met Seo Dong-ju (Kim Jae-won), the military doctor from the South Sudan mission. Seo Dong-ju was confident in joining the department. Yang Jae-won told Seo Dong-ju that he's the second in line as Baek Kang-hyuk’s protége.
Moving on, during the inaugural ceremony of the Heleport, Baek Kang-hyuk received a call amidst his speech about emergency patients. The drama closed with the scene where the Trauma Center members hopped on the helicopter for their new mission.
During the SBS Radio interview on January 21, Ju Ji-hoon was asked whether all the events showcased in the webtoon would be covered in eight episodes, and if not, would there be season 2 of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call.
Ju Ji-hoon replied:
“If you all show a lot of love, we're ready.”
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call directed by Lee Do-yoon and penned by Choi Tae-kang, gave closure to the scenario where Baek Kang-hyuk fought for the underfunded trauma department. Furthermore, he also established better facilities to bring in patients with severe injuries.
The possibilities of a second season are high as the makers may explore other events taking place in the webtoon with all the characters. Notably, Netflix has not confirmed this or commented on season two yet.
Meanwhile, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is available on Netflix for streaming.
