Ju Ji-hoon on His Character in 'The Trauma Code': 'A Straighforward Man Just Like Me'

연합뉴스 / 2025-01-24 07:53:34

▲ This profile photo, provided by Netflix, shows South Korean actor Ju Ji-hoon. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Jan. 24 (Yonhap) -- “I hoped viewers could momentarily forget their harsh realities and find joy in the fantasy-like scenes. At least in the show.”

The protagonist of the new Netflix series The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, set to premiere on Friday, is Baek Kang-hyuk, a doctor of genius-level skill.

Known for his remarkable looks and wealth, he is someone with nothing to lose and no qualms about speaking his mind. Baek Kang-hyuk spares no words, whether it comes to confronting the hospital director who debates the trauma center’s deficit, or even criticizing the health ministry.

During an interview at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on Thursday, Ju Ji-hoon shared, “Baek Kang-hyuk’s straightforward personality is quite similar to my own,” adding, “Through this seemingly fictional character, I wanted to deliver a sense of catharsis.”

▲ This profile photo, provided by Netflix, shows South Korean actor Ju Ji-hoon. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, based on a popular webtoon of the same name, follows the story of the genius doctor Baek Kang-hyuk as he revitalizes a dysfunctional trauma team.

Known as a surgeon who can save even the most critical patients with just a scalpel, Baek Kang-hyuk gained unique experience performing surgeries under extreme conditions while serving in war zones. He later takes up the role of a professor leading the trauma team at Korea University Hospital.

Ju Ji-hoon explained, “When I received the script, I found the story so captivating that I actively participated from the planning stage.” He further elaborated, “The series presents an ideal hero figure in a lighthearted and exhilarating way. Having worked on several projects based on comics—like Princess Hours, Kingdom, Along with the Gods, and Antique Bakery—I focused on infusing a certain level of realism into the cartoon-like narrative.”

In the drama, Baek Kang-hyuk comes across as more of a superhuman hero than a realistic doctor. To save a patient critically injured in a mountain fall, he flies a helicopter himself and jumps out, tethered by a single rope, to perform emergency treatment.

“This isn’t a medical documentary but a fantasy series,” Ju Ji-hoon noted. “However, since it frequently deals with life-and-death situations, I felt that overly cartoonish portrayals might make the story seem absurd.” He emphasized, “That’s why I insisted on keeping certain scenes realistic and worked to convince the team until the very end.”

“For instance, there’s a scene where a surgery is delayed because the anesthesiologist doesn’t arrive on time. In the original work, Baek Kang-hyuk furiously curses and throws a fit in the hospital hallway. But I felt that if a grown man with my stature were to act that way, it would undermine the character. After much discussion, I decided to tone down the scene. Therewere quite a few debates with the director over differences in opinion,” he added with a laugh.

▲ This profile photo, provided by Netflix, shows South Korean actor Ju Ji-hoon. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Ju Ji-hoon, a former model who debuted with the drama Princess Hours in 2006, starred as the lead in three Kdramas (Blood Free, Love Your Enemy, and Light Shop) and one film (Escape: Project Silence) last year alone.

When asked about his future plans, he replied, “I’m the kind of person who goes with the flow, so I don’t have any concrete goals yet.”

“I’ve done works that required painful exploration and also lighthearted comedies where I could completely relax. I think if I live each day sincerely, emotions will build up inside me, and when the time comes, I’ll choose a project that matches those feelings.”