Actor Ju Ji-hoon (42) donned a doctor's gown again after 12 years since the drama 'Medical Top Team' (2013).
The Netflix series 'Trauma Center' tells the exhilarating story of genius surgeon Baek Kang-hyuk (played by Ju Ji-hoon) who is assigned to revive a virtually non-existent trauma team. It is based on a popular webtoon of the same name, created in collaboration with director Lee Do-yoon, who directed the film 'Good Friends', and writer Choi Tae-gang of 'Adamas'.
When asked about his feelings upon the release, Ju Ji-hoon said, "We worked hard on it, and now that it's opening, I'm also curious and excited to see how it will be received." He added, "I've seen it all already, and it was fun. I intended to watch just four episodes, but I ended up watching all of them. It's a medical action drama that expresses the absurdities of reality and the values we generally pursue well. It's a work that provides a kind of catharsis, showing what we want to see, even though it's tough in reality."
Ju Ji-hoon reunited with director Lee Do-yoon, with whom he had a connection through the film 'Good Friends' (2013). He even personally recommended this project to director Lee.
He explained, "There are comic-like elements, and it's not a documentary, but we shouldn't take lightly the moments when lives are at stake. To make it somewhat realistic, we need to keep it grounded; otherwise, it could become too absurd. The work is very bright, while the director has a darker style. So, I thought it would emit a warm light that isn't too dazzling."
He also mentioned that he did not read the original work, saying, "Sometimes the production team or the director tells you to watch it, and sometimes they say it's not necessary. This time, there was no suggestion to watch it. So, I focused on the script. I tried to empathize with the character Baek Kang-hyuk, who values his patients. If I don't believe in the character's justification, the viewers won't believe it either, so I concentrated on that aspect."
When asked about the aspects he focused on for the genius doctor role, Ju Ji-hoon emphasized, "'Trauma Center' is a medical action drama," adding, "This work is closer to fantasy. During 'Medical Top Team', I observed open surgeries, but Baek Kang-hyuk is a genius doctor. He has a style of doing things that others can't. He performs surgeries that make you wonder if they're even possible. In such cases, observing surgeries can actually be a disadvantage. Just like how Iron Man doesn't take engineering classes, there are parts of fantasy that should be viewed as fantasy. Still, the things I learned from observing during 'Medical Top Team' were helpful."
He continued, "Each character has different struggles. This time, I had to pay attention to the dialogue and express the tense surgical scenes, which was a concern. It's fantasy, but we have to portray situations where lives are at stake. A nurse from the trauma center consulted with us on-site. It's important to ensure the authenticity of whether something is possible or not. There are no right answers, but we prepared and discussed to ensure that most viewers could follow along without feeling discomfort."
Just as Baek Kang-hyuk leads 'Trauma Center', Ju Ji-hoon also spent 7-8 hours doing readings with his junior co-stars Choo Young-woo, Ha Young, and Jung Jae-kwang.
Regarding this, he said, "I don't know why, but the younger male co-stars seem to find me intimidating. Maybe it's because I'm big and dark in person. But they treat me well, more than I expected. They even buy me meals," he joked, adding, "Veteran seniors like Yoon Kyung-ho were also involved, but Choo Young-woo, Ha Young, and Jung Jae-kwang don't have much experience. I know the director's style and how to work, so we created a comfortable space to talk together."
He continued, "When you're a newcomer, it's hard to speak up. So, we gathered like a university study group to share ideas and make it easy for the younger co-stars to ask questions. They seemed to enjoy it," and added, "I'm really grateful that each person approached their character with an open mind. It was evident that all three were preparing very hard. And since they don't have much experience, they could easily get stuck in what they prepared, but they were willing to try new directions on set. By the time you reach episode 8, you can see how much they've grown. They all have kind hearts, and their passion is evident, making them so lovely."
Earlier, director Lee Do-yoon emphasized the high synchronization rate between Baek Kang-hyuk and Ju Ji-hoon, stating, "They are individuals with a clear direction. The moment they determine the path is right, they move forward without hesitation, clearing away anything that gets in their way. Baek Kang-hyuk saves lives, and Ju Ji-hoon does the same in acting."
In response, Ju Ji-hoon said, "We share a straightforward aspect," adding, "When I was younger, actors weren't supposed to express their opinions to directors. There was a vertical atmosphere. But I often spoke my mind, which led to me being called 'rude'. However, in acting, I focus on the character, while the director, who writes the script, is the one who creates the world, so I need to listen to him. Since the director sees the whole picture, I think communication is important."
Ju Ji-hoon has been busy with the Disney+ series 'Dominion Species', the film 'Escape', the tvN drama 'Love on a Narrow Bridge', and the Disney+ series 'Lighting Store' in 2024.
When asked about his motivation, he replied, "Just because a work is good doesn't mean it will succeed; that's unpredictable. However, I take pride in having worked on genres that are intense, painful, and exploratory, as well as comedies. Everyone has their struggles, and while everyone works hard, some have a lower threshold for that 'hard work'. I don't take anything lightly, no matter who I'm working with."
He added, "I'm someone who goes with the flow. I try to live each day enjoyably. I don't have a specific goal. A senior I admire once said that even resting requires effort. So, I try to spend my time well, aiming to live each day fully."
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
