There have been a lot of new K-Dramas to watch out for left and right, with the medical drama genre particularly getting a lot of love. Korea takes it up a notch with interesting storylines, giving people a better understanding of what goes on in the life of medical practitioners.
If you’re on the lookout for the perfect medical drama to get you into the genre, then The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is definitely a good choice to binge watch. The series is comprised of 8 episodes that will keep you on the edge and will definitely make you want to finish it in one sitting. Not convinced? Check out SEA Wave’s High Five review of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call to know what to expect from this adrenaline-pumping show.
A Successful Adaptation
Trauma Center – Golden Hour | Image from Naver Webtoon
A noticeable trend in K-dramas these days is the adaptation of successful manhwas or web comics into dramas. You may not have been aware, but this series is actually based on the 2019 manhwa entitled Trauma Center: Golden Hour, written by Hansanleega.
It was great to see the drama able to create very lively scenes based on artwork from the manga. The series also manages to inject nuance into the characters, adding a richness that retains and builds on the essence of the manhwa it’s based on, making for an entertaining watch.
A New Gang to Get Hooked On
Choo Young Woo as Dr. Yang Jaewon and Ha Young as Cheon Jang Mi | Photo from Netflix
One of the things that got my attention immediately is that the cast introduced us to a roster of fresh faces. Among them are Choo Young Woo who plays the role of Dr. Yang Jaewon, and Ha Young who plays the role of Nurse Cheon Jang Mi. It was quite refreshing to see a series take a chance on young and upcoming actors, and I think this played a part in getting the audience to become more easily attached to the characters, as they felt like real people handling extraordinary circumstances.
Although, there is also a face that you might easily recognize, it’s definitely a treat to see Ju Ji Hoon make another comeback playing the role of Dr. Baek Kang Hyuk, a miracle working doctor who is said to have the hand of God.
By the end of the series, this team will have already grown on you and have you rooting for them every step of the way.
A Jam-Packed Story
Ju Ji Hoon as Dr. Baek Kang Hyuk | Photo from Netflix
Adapting a webtoon into a drama sure has its challenges, but Studio N was able to pull the right strings to create harmony and tension when needed. In just 8 episodes, the show was able to pack a lot of action, heart-wrenching occasions, touching moments, and the right amount of funny encounters. Watch out for the redeeming character arcs that give us a glimpse of the growth of the characters as well.
Dr. Baek’s unworldly skills introduced us to an epic hero pushing the boundary of possibilities and yet his strong values and heart to save lives kept us grounded in reality. The production did great in providing a perfect balance of seriousness and comedy in the right moments, giving an enjoyable watching experience to the audience. Get ready for a roller coaster of emotions.
Great Dubbing
If you’re the type that likes to watch K-dramas in the background while working or doing errands, then I recommend you to try watching the show in English dub. Some people may prefer not to watch with the dubbed versions, but it just might be because of Dr. Baek’s wry humor that helped Netflix achieve a total spot on dub for the drama. It’s not awkward at all and catches the nuances of the dialogues very well. So just this once, maybe you can give this one a try!
An Ode to the Unsung Heroes
Photo from Netflix
You might be surprised to learn that the writer of the manhwa, Lee Nak Joon (under the pen name Hansanleega), was actually an ENT doctor by profession. He painted for us an accurate picture of what goes on in hospitals and a peek in the lives of health professionals.
Coincidentally, the series was aired quite timely as it somehow reflected the current realities of the health sector in Korea. The first government-approved trauma specialist training center in Korea was actually on the verge of ceasing operation due to insufficient funding. However after the release of the show, it was able to gain the interest of the public and moved the people. The Seoul Metropolitan Government then announced that they will allocate funds that will be enough to sustain the center for the time being.
Ultimately, let us not think lightly of the work that health professionals do and appreciate all the hard work they do in saving lives. This adaptation is definitely one to watch out for, and is a jam-packed and enjoyable ride. SEA Wave gives The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call 3.5 out of 5 waves.