The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call review— Is the Netflix series worth watching?

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, starring Ju Ji-hoon, Choo Young-woo, Ha Young, and more, aired all eight episodes on Netflix on Friday, January 24, 2025. The drama is adapted from the popular webtoon named Trauma Center: Golden Hour illustrated by Hansanleega. The Netflix series is written by Choi Tae-kang and helmed by director Lee Do-yoon.

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call depicts the story of Baek Kang-hyuk, a genius medical professional specializing in traumatology. Known for his exceptional skills, Baek Kang-hyuk has worked and conducted surgeries in conflict zones. Baek Kang-hyuk has been appointed as the team leader of the Trauma Department of Hankuk University Hospital, which has been overlooked and underfunded.

As Baek Kang-hyuk steps his foot in the hospital, he finds his first disciple in Yang Jae-won, depicted by Choo Young-woo. Yang Jae-won is a scholar who has secured top ranks in all semesters. As a fellow, he works smart, and as a person, he is compassionate. South Korean actress Ha Young portrays the role of Cheon Jang-mi, a senior nurse with four years of experience in the Trauma Department.

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is an exhilarating tale of a heroic doctor with a solid crew who devote their time and energy to saving lives. The series gives a thrilling experience to the viewers with its stimulating storyline in the medical drama scene and unexpected humor.

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The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call review: Ju Ji-hoon yet again stuns with his remarkable performance in the medical drama

South Korean actor Ju Ji-hoon made an exemplary portrayal of Baek Kang-hyuk in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call after giving back-to-back impactful performances in dramas like Blood Free, Light Shop, and Love Your Enemy last year. Given how prodigiously surgeons are depicted in K-dramas with skills that save patients on the brink of their death, Ju Ji-hoon’s Baek Kang-hyuk is indeed heroic with a pinch of narcissism.

Viewers who enjoy medical dramas like Dr. Romantic and Hospital Playlist would find themselves comparing the show with these hits, as the subplot surrounding trauma surgical teams running on inadequate finances is nothing new. Furthermore, Baek Kang-hyuk seems to be a younger version of Dr. Romantic's Kim Saboo but with an ardent side reminding one of The Fiery Priest's character Kim Hae-il.

Ju Ji-hoon did it seamlessly with his dialogue delivery and incredible action sequence, keeping it unique. Baek Kang-hyuk is not exactly fighting in the show, and in the beginning, the viewers would be confused as to why he is in a war zone, but as the story progresses, everything falls into place.

Choo Young-woo has made incredible growth in performance as Yang Jae-won, a smart yet confused fellow surgeon. With Yang Jae-won in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, his on-screen presence keeps one engaged and increases anticipation as to what he has to offer as an actor in the future. Other actors like Kim Won-hae, Ha Young, and Yoon Kyung-ho, have also played their parts well.

Although the impression of the show is not as strong as the medical dramas released in the past decade, the show's fast pace and format make it fun to binge. Moreover, some may find the portrayal of conflict situations in the Middle East subpar and stereotypical.

Final verdict: The overall drama offers a gripping narrative about the struggles of traumatology departments functioning with a lack of financial support. If you are looking for an intense show like Dr. Romantic balanced with playful humor that gets you right with time, then The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is for you.

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Meanwhile, Ju Ji-hoon and Choo Young-woo's starrer The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is available on Netflix to watch.