[Dispatch=Lee Myung-joo] "This is not just a medical drama. It's a medical action thriller."

He charged fearlessly through a war zone, dodging bullets while staying by the patients' sides. Even after returning to Korea, his sense of duty never wavered. He fought against all odds to save as many lives as possible, no matter the circumstances.

Ju Ji-hoon takes on the role of Baek Kang-hyuk in Netflix's The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, a character unlike any real-life doctor. He can diagnose a patient at a glance and instantly come up with the perfect treatment plan.

But his skills go beyond medicine. He rides motorcycles, pilots helicopters, and even drifts ambulances—abilities he wields solely for the sake of his patients.

This is what makes The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call a true "medical action drama." Ju Ji-hoon explains, "Watching Baek Kang-hyuk in action will give viewers a kind of catharsis they won't find in reality."

Dispatch sat down with Ju Ji-hoon to dive into the intense process behind crafting his unique character.

◆ The Birth of a Medical Fantasy

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call follows a genius surgeon who joins a struggling trauma team, tackling challenges head-on with refreshing boldness. "It's a story about overcoming unfair circumstances in the most satisfying way possible," Ju Ji-hoon describes.

From the opening scene, it was clear this was no ordinary medical drama. The protagonist rides a motorcycle through a battlefield, rappels down from a helicopter, and even performs brain surgery mid-transport.

It's pure fantasy—and that's exactly why Ju Ji-hoon was drawn to it. "The script was incredibly appealing. Watching the protagonist tackle these tough situations in an exhilarating way felt so refreshing," he admits.

His passion for the project went beyond acting. He was deeply involved in its production, even recruiting director Lee Do-yoon of Confession of Murder fame.

"There were many life-or-death moments in the script, but the original webtoon had a surprisingly light tone," he explains. "To make it work on screen, a lot had to be adjusted for realism."

"I knew Lee Do-yoon was the perfect choice. Bringing together a bright original story and a director with a darker, more intense style resulted in something that's gripping yet not overly heavy."

◆ Fine-Tuning the Details

Adapting a webtoon into live-action requires special attention to detail. Ju Ji-hoon emphasized the importance of balancing genre excitement with grounded realism.

"The more entertaining the story, the more the details need to stay realistic," he says. "I worked closely with the director and writer to refine the characters."

One key change involved a conflict with an anesthesiologist. In the original webtoon, Baek Kang-hyuk engages in a heated argument while standing next to a patient, raising his voice in front of the patient's family.

"The webtoon portrayed Kang-hyuk as if he was alone in that moment, which works in a comic format," he explains. "But in live-action, it didn't feel right for a doctor who deeply values his patients to behave that way."

"I pushed for changes because I didn't want to break his character."

◆ Ju Ji-hoon's Take on Baek Kang-hyuk

Ju Ji-hoon's extensive experience with webtoon adaptations played a key role in shaping Baek Kang-hyuk. Having starred in Princess Hours, Kingdom, Antique, and Along with the Gods, he knew the challenges well.

"The original webtoon was incredibly popular, so turning it into a series required careful thought," he says. "It had to appeal to both fans of the webtoon and first-time viewers."

This marks his second foray into medical dramas, following Medical Top Team (2013). Though it had been 12 years since his last doctor role, he was confident in the operating room scenes.

"I had already played a doctor before, so I didn't need additional research. Since Kang-hyuk is a genius, I figured over-preparing would actually be a disadvantage," he shares.

However, delivering medical jargon posed a challenge. "The terminology was tough. In real hospitals, doctors can speak casually and still be understood, but in a drama, every word has to be precise."

"The high-pressure trauma setting made it even harder. The medical consultants who worked with us from pre-production helped us get it right."

◆ A Team Effort

The strong chemistry among the cast brought the drama to life. Alongside Ju Ji-hoon, actors like Choo Young-woo, Ha Young, Jung Jae-kwang, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Kim Eui-sung worked together seamlessly.

A key factor? Countless brainstorming sessions. "We had seven to eight hours of meetings every day, constantly refining ideas and testing them on set," he recalls.

The open atmosphere played a crucial role. "Director Lee Do-yoon is very collaborative, which made a big difference. I wanted to pass that mindset on to my younger co-stars," he says.

"In any industry, newcomers often hesitate to speak up. So I told them, 'Let's treat this like a college study group.'"

That approach paid off. "I could literally see them improving scene by scene. Viewers will notice their growth throughout the series," he adds with pride.

◆ The Pride of a Hardworking Actor

Ju Ji-hoon is known for his impressive work ethic. In 2024 alone, he starred in four projects: the dramas Dominant Species, Love on a One-Way Bridge, Lighting Store, and the film Project Silence.

From a crown prince to a human rights lawyer, a bodyguard, a grim reaper, and now a genius surgeon—he has played a wide range of characters.

Yet, regardless of the role, he always gives his absolute best. "That's my personal pride," he asserts. "No matter who I'm working with or what the environment is like, I never take my job lightly."

His career philosophy is simple: "If someone asks, 'Was that your best?' I want to be able to answer, 'Yes.'"

As for future plans? "I don't set concrete goals. I just live each day fully," he says.

"I believe that as long as I'm present in the moment and building experiences, it'll naturally help me in my next role."