Ju Ji-hoon. Image: Courtesy of Netflix Korea
Ju Ji-hoon, the leading man behind K-drama powerhouses like “Princess Hours” and smash hit “Kingdom,” is back with his latest role as a heroic doctor in the medical series “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call.”
Ju, known for his knack for choosing larger-than-life roles adapted from hit Korean comics, shared that he hopes to deliver a sense of cathartic satisfaction through the adrenaline-charged medical drama.
“The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” chronicles the journey of Kang-hyuk (played by Ju), a brilliant surgeon thrust into high-stakes, life-or-death situations involving critically ill patients. Adapted from a wildly popular web novel, the series interweaves intense drama with a sharp commentary on societal absurdities.
As the title suggests, “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” delves into the world of doctors — but Ju was quick to emphasize that it’s far from a conventional medical drama. Instead, he coined it a “medical action drama,” underscoring its mission to evoke catharsis rather than merely dissect hospital corridors.
“(The series) borrows the framework of medicine to break through absurdities and vividly portray the universal values we pursue. In a tough reality, it provides catharsis, shows the images people want to see, and is an enjoyable piece,” Ju explained.
With a storied history of starring in comic-based adaptations, the 42-year-old is no stranger to taking on roles from imaginative worlds.
From his breakout in “Princess Hours” to high-profile hits such as “Along with the Gods” and “Kingdom,” Ju has consistently participated in breathing life into larger-than-life characters. Drawing from his past experiences, Ju shared that he focused on bringing cartoon-based characters to life in a way that felt authentic and realistic on-screen.
“I’ve worked on many comic-based projects… In this case, I felt that if the story wasn’t grounded in realism, it would come across as too far-fetched,” said Ju.
To breathe authenticity into the extraordinary character of Kang-hyuk, Ju said he drew inspiration from the renowned Korean trauma surgeon Lee Guk-jong, who served as the basis for Kang-hyuk in the original web novel.
“I watched documentaries about Professor Lee. Through that, I got a sense of my character’s determination to do whatever it takes to save a patient, needing nothing else. I indirectly felt the professor’s sense of dedication and commitment through those documentaries, and it really helped me,” Ju shared.