By Honorary Reporter Myrtle Iris Villaraza from Philippines
Photos = Lee Do-yun

The hit medical comedy K-drama "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" has been on Netflix's global top 10 for shows not in English for over three weeks since its Jan. 24 release. 

Featuring a genius trauma surgeon who leads a university hospital’s struggling trauma unit, the series is based on the webtoon "Trauma Center: Golden Hour." 

"Trauma Code" director Lee Do-yun first gained fame for the thriller "Confession" (2014), which was nominated for Best New Director and Best Screenplay at the Grand Bell Awards, Korea's most prestigious film honors.

The following are excerpts from an interview with Lee via email and social media from Feb. 13-14.

"Trauma Code" director Lee Do-yun

Describe your journey in directing.
I've wanted to make movies since I was young, which led me to major in theater and film at Hanyang University. I pursued my passion by making short movies and after graduating, I joined the directing team for several films. I made my directorial debut in 2014 with "Confession."

How did actor Ju Ji-hoon help your directing career?
After my first film's poor financial performance, I found it challenging to continue directing. Following several canceled projects over the past decade, I even moved to Canada with my wife's family, thinking my career was over.

Ju approached me about directing "Trauma Code." Initially, I declined because it was a completely different genre from my first film. However, I was drawn to the protagonist Baek Kang-hyuk as he resembled Ju in many ways. That connection intrigued me, and I accepted the offer.

Lee works on the set of "Trauma Code."

What challenges did you encounter when directing the series?
One major challenge was that both the production and investment companies were initially skeptical of my bold approach, particularly my mix of fantasy and reality. Since I'd directed just one unsuccessful film, there was a lot of concern about giving me full directorial power.

Whenever these doubts arose, Ju advocated for me, convincing both the production and investment sides to trust my vision. It wasn't until after filming was completed that everyone truly understood what I was trying to achieve.

Explain your approach toward turning the webtoon into a K-drama.
The webtoon was based on a web novel, so adapting it into a drama posed many challenges. One major concern was how to visually convey the unreal aspects of the characters and scenes, which are much more stylized in the webtoon. So I decided to blend fantasy and reality, taking bold creative liberties. With the right balance, I felt that the contrast would create a unique viewing experience, and I believe it delivered that pleasure to the audience.

Why do you think "Trauma Code" has proven popular worldwide?
I believe the simplicity of the plot is a key factor. Centered on Baek's clear goal of building a trauma center to save lives, the narrative unfolds in a swift and engaging manner. The story's progression toward this goal without unnecessary detours likely resonates with viewers, making it both impactful and easy to follow.

Do you have a favorite scene or line from the drama?
I like the line Baek says in Episode 4: "Severe trauma can happen to anyone." I think this explains why this job must exist.

Lee poses for photos with "Trauma Code" crew.

What do you want people to remember most about "Trauma Code?"
A saying goes that severe trauma is the lot of the poor because most patients are workers in bad environments. Hospitals that seek profit do them no favors because it's not profitable. That's why a national social welfare system is needed with constant attention and monitoring. Also, I cautiously hope that this series instills in viewers a mature civic consciousness that can tolerate a bit inconvenience or social cost, always remembering that anyone can be rushed to a trauma center due to a traffic accident or natural disaster.

What are your plans?
I need to make another piece. I'm in discussions with production companies about other series and movies.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.