Director: Lee Do‑yoon (series directed by Lee Do‑yoon; written by Choi Tae‑gang, based on the webtoon Trauma Center: Golden Hour)
Cast: Ju Ji‑hoon, Choo Young‑woo, Ha Young, Yoon Kyung‑ho, Jeong Jae‑kwang
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (Season 1, 2025) is a high-octane South Korean medical drama created by Lee Do‑yoon and adapted from the webtoon Trauma Center: Golden Hour (written by Choi Tae‑gang). Spanning eight taut episodes (~51–55 minutes each), the series chronicles Dr. Baek Kang‑hyuk (portrayed by Ju Ji‑hoon), a war-seasoned trauma surgeon summoned to transform the underperforming trauma unit at Hankuk National University Hospital in Seoul.
With blunt authority and battlefield expertise, Dr. Baek reshapes the team—comprising surgeons Yang Jae‑won (Choo Young‑woo), Cheon Jang‑mi (Ha Young), and anesthesiologist Park Gyeong‑won (Jeong Jae‑kwang)—into a high-stakes emergency response crew. Under pressure from internal politics, budget constraints, and bureaucratic resistance, their commitment sets the stage for dynamic rescues including helicopter surgery, multi‑car pileups, and an international medical mission. Netflix+6TIME+6Netflix+6
Thematically, the series offers an action-adventure take on medical storytelling. It critiques systemic failures—emphasizing how bureaucracy and profit motives imperil patient care—while celebrating frontline resolve. Viewers praised its smart, fast-paced writing and a lead performance by Ju Ji‑hoon described as career-best, though some reviewers noted the main character’s arrogance feels exaggerated. TIMEWikipedia
Ensemble performances are vibrant and grounded. Choo Young‑woo’s Yang evolves rapidly from reluctant surgeon to trusted protégé; Ha Young’s Cheon Jang‑mi balances care and humor; Jeong Jae‑kwang’s Park provides steady medical confidence. Marie ClaireTIME
Visually, the series delivers polished production: crisp cinematography captures dramatic rescues, helicopter stunts, and intense operating-room sequences. The editing supports momentum, weaving authentic medical detail with narrative urgency. DeciderNetflix
Reception has been overwhelmingly positive. It ranked in Netflix’s top three globally among non-English TV shows, hitting #1 in 17 countries. Critics and fans on Reddit described it as “hang-on-til-the-end” addictive—despite its brevity. Wikipedia
In sum, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is a highly engaging medical-action series that blends adrenaline-pumping drama with sharp social commentary. It stands out for its unique voice, strong performances, and efficient storytelling—a standout in modern Korean medical dramas.
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (Season 1, 2025) is a high-octane South Korean medical drama created by Lee Do‑yoon and adapted from the webtoon Trauma Center: Golden Hour (written by Choi Tae‑gang). Spanning eight taut episodes (~51–55 minutes each), the series chronicles Dr. Baek Kang‑hyuk (portrayed by Ju Ji‑hoon), a war-seasoned trauma surgeon summoned to transform the underperforming trauma unit at Hankuk National University Hospital in Seoul.
With blunt authority and battlefield expertise, Dr. Baek reshapes the team—comprising surgeons Yang Jae‑won (Choo Young‑woo), Cheon Jang‑mi (Ha Young), and anesthesiologist Park Gyeong‑won (Jeong Jae‑kwang)—into a high-stakes emergency response crew. Under pressure from internal politics, budget constraints, and bureaucratic resistance, their commitment sets the stage for dynamic rescues including helicopter surgery, multi‑car pileups, and an international medical mission. Netflix+6TIME+6Netflix+6
Thematically, the series offers an action-adventure take on medical storytelling. It critiques systemic failures—emphasizing how bureaucracy and profit motives imperil patient care—while celebrating frontline resolve. Viewers praised its smart, fast-paced writing and a lead performance by Ju Ji‑hoon described as career-best, though some reviewers noted the main character’s arrogance feels exaggerated. TIMEWikipedia
Ensemble performances are vibrant and grounded. Choo Young‑woo’s Yang evolves rapidly from reluctant surgeon to trusted protégé; Ha Young’s Cheon Jang‑mi balances care and humor; Jeong Jae‑kwang’s Park provides steady medical confidence. Marie ClaireTIME
Visually, the series delivers polished production: crisp cinematography captures dramatic rescues, helicopter stunts, and intense operating-room sequences. The editing supports momentum, weaving authentic medical detail with narrative urgency. DeciderNetflix
Reception has been overwhelmingly positive. It ranked in Netflix’s top three globally among non-English TV shows, hitting #1 in 17 countries. Critics and fans on Reddit described it as “hang-on-til-the-end” addictive—despite its brevity. Wikipedia
In sum, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is a highly engaging medical-action series that blends adrenaline-pumping drama with sharp social commentary. It stands out for its unique voice, strong performances, and efficient storytelling—a standout in modern Korean medical dramas.