Director emphasizes fictional nature of medical drama series amid doctors' strike

Ju Ji-hoon poses for a photo during a press conference held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Tuesday. (Yonhap)
Ju Ji-hoon poses for a photo during a press conference held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

Ju Ji-hoon, known for his lead roles in K-drama juggernauts like Disney+'s "Light Shop" and Netflix's "Kingdom," will step into scrubs to play a heroic doctor battling life-or-death crises in his latest venture, "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call."

Adapted from a massively popular webtoon, the series follows the story of genius surgeon Kang-hyuk (Ju) as he navigates pulse-pounding emergencies.

Speaking Tuesday at a press conference in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Ju described the drama as "a medical action drama, you might say. ("The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" is) an exhilarating and satisfying story about a team that boldly breaks down a kind of injustice."

Handling life-or-death scenarios with the appropriate gravitas was a key priority in portraying Kang-hyuk, Ju recalled. "If handled poorly, it could seem like we were mocking or neglecting the seriousness of life-or-death situations," he said. "We put a lot of thought into how to balance dramatic tension and dilemmas in an engaging way. Even before filming began, I studied with fellow actors like Choo Young-woo and Yoon Kyung-ho to prepare ourselves."

When asked how "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" distinguishes itself from other medical dramas, director Lee Do-yoon offered a thought-provoking perspective.

"We are using the term 'medical drama,' but perhaps the key distinction is that it’s not exactly a medical drama. It feels more like a heroic epic," said Lee.

"The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call," starring Ju Ji-hoon (Netflix)

Ju described his character, Kang-hyuk, as a relentless leader committed to resurrecting a beleaguered team. "He’s someone who believes that human life is more important than any other value. As a doctor, he prioritizes saving patients' lives above all else, so he’s efficient and quick. Because of that, some people may find him blunt or abrasive," the actor explained.

Director Lee noted striking parallels between Ju and his on-screen persona. "Both are characters with a clear sense of direction. Once they decide something is right, they push forward without hesitation. For Kang-hyuk, it’s about saving lives; for Ju, it’s about acting. (Ju) has a bold, purposeful stride that reminds me of his character," he said.

Meanwhile, "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" distinguishes itself as one of the first medical dramas released amid the prolonged doctors' strike over the government's medical school expansion plan.

Addressing this backdrop, Lee emphasized the show's fictional nature. "If it solely focused on the struggles of doctors, it might be a delicate topic. However, this drama is set in a vaguely defined time frame, making its connection to real-life events less direct."

Explaining that the story contains elements from the past, Lee said, "The characters are somewhat exaggerated, almost comic-like. Personally, I hope viewers approach it more as a refreshing fantasy rather than trying to directly relate it to the current reality."

The series premieres Friday on Netflix.