Movies

Did You Catch the Shocking Twist in The Trauma Code’s Final Episode?

BBG News

In the debut episode of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, produced by Netflix Korea, the first original Korean medical drama, a doctor navigates an active war zone aboard a motorcycle. Swerving past demolished structures and vehicles, he ultimately arrives at the hospital where immediate medication is required for patients—however, before reaching his destination, he’s dismounted from his bike following a nearby bomb detonation.

The initial sequences establish the mood for the eight-episode series that was all at once unveiled by the streaming service on January 24th. This Korean production is an adaptation of the widely acclaimed webtoon, Trauma Center: Golden Hour, created by Hansanleega and Hongbichira. The narrative revolves around Dr. Baek Kang-hyun (portrayed by Ju Ji-Hoon), a war veteran with a relentless ambition to build a premier trauma center at Seoul’s Hankuk University Hospital. Utilizing his combat-honed abilities, he embarks on the task of molding a medical team capable of delivering life-saving care under perilous and high-pressure circumstances.

Prior to Dr. Baek’s employment, there have been instances where patients have perished while being transported to hospitals due to delays and the inability of rescue teams to deliver prompt medical attention. Notably, Hankuk University Hospital, one of the nation’s leading healthcare institutions, currently lacks a specialized trauma center capable of handling emergencies such as these. As a result, different hospital departments have been tasked with rotating responsibilities for managing trauma cases.

Dr. Baek’s arrival signals a fresh leadership phase. With backing from the Minister of Health and Welfare, Kang Myung-Hui (Kim Sun-young), he finds himself in a challenging situation where the hospital persistently aims to reduce expenses while increasing earnings. This financial focus, in turn, influences the trauma team’s operations. Regardless of resource constraints, the team remains dedicated to saving lives.

Saving lives or increasing profits

In the series titled “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call“, it’s emphasized that sometimes financial constraints can jeopardize patient care. As Dr. Baek continues to save lives and enhance the Trauma Center, expenses increase. For hospital managers, Directors Choi Jo-Eun (Kim Eui-Sung) and Director Hong Jae-Hoon (Kim Won-Hae), each life saved equates to an expense, leading them to cut back on the Trauma Center’s budget. Coincidentally, this isn’t the only show exploring underfunded hospitals at present. Shows such as Max’s “The Pitt” and NBC sitcom “St. Denis Medical” tackle similar themes, just like 2022’s “This Is Going to Hurt“.

In episode 6, a man endures a critical head wound following a hiking accident on Bukhansan mountain. Unfortunately, doctors can’t reach him by helicopter due to this incident. Dr. Yang Jae-Won, who collaborates with Dr. Baek, shares that he promptly contacted the National Rescue Unit after receiving the emergency call, only to discover that Jung-Heon, the pilot, had been moved to an administrative role. The new leader of the National Rescue Unit then tells Dr. Baek that they can’t just use the helicopter on their own since it belongs to the state, necessitating proper paperwork and approval from superiors.

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase it like this: In my role as an onlooker, I witnessed a harrowing ordeal where red tape and manipulation by the hospital director significantly delayed critical care for an injured man. The trio of Dr. Baek, Dr. Jae-Won, and nurse Jang-Mi (Ha Young) ventured to the accident scene in a standard hospital ambulance. On our return journey to the medical facility, Dr. Baek performed an urgent operation on the man’s head within the moving ambulance. Later, Dr. Baek had to break the devastating news to the patient’s mother that her son was now in a vegetative state. Inspired by Director Hong, the determined mother insisted on a thorough examination of the series of events that led to her son’s predicament, suspecting that Dr. Baek’s procedure might have played a role in his condition.

At a hospital press conference, Director Hong presents the young man’s mother and declares an investigation into Dr. Baek’s alleged misconduct. However, Dr. Baek, Dr. Jae-Won, and nurse Jang-Mi show up to assert that his actions were not misconduct but rather a result of the delayed helicopter aid. “For how long will financial reasons continue to permit the avoidable loss of patients’ lives?” he questions.

What happens to Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk?

In Episode 7, following his life-saving mission in South Sudan, Dr. Baek discovers that Dr. Han (Yoon Gyung-Ho) has headed to a burning site to aid victims. Initially antagonistic towards Dr. Baek and wishing him and Directors Choi and Hong gone from the hospital, Dr. Han is a renowned colorectal surgeon. However, after Dr. Baek rescues Dr. Han’s daughter, the surgeon softens his stance and becomes more amicable towards Dr. Baek.

At the location, they assess and prioritize patient care, eventually uncovering that one part of the building is dedicated to storing oxygen tanks. A firefighter advises them to retreat for safety reasons to prevent injuries, but when Dr. Baek spots a patient yet unmoved on the ground and attempts assistance, an explosion erupts, critically injuring him.

should he perform a scan to determine the depth of the object or go straight to surgery? He chooses the latter, disregarding anesthesiologist Park Gyeong-Won’s concerns, and the operation begins.

Upon regaining consciousness, Dr. Baek expresses doubt about Dr. Jae-Won forgoing a CT scan. The latter clarifies that he evaluated the patient’s state and thought surgery was the most suitable course of action. Impressed, Dr. Baek acknowledges him by his genuine name for the first time, as he had previously addressed him only with nicknames. Ever since their initial encounter, Dr. Baek reserved using Jae-Won’s real name, promising to do so only when Jae-Won demonstrated worthiness and competence in his work.

Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk’s past

Beginning in Episode 4, the background of Dr. Baek comes under scrutiny from fellow physicians at Hankuk University Hospital. Some of these colleagues harbor animosity towards him due to his persistent tendency to defy hospital regulations, favoring patient care over established practices.

I’ve got a connection with Black Wings, a private military firm that carries out rescue operations in conflict zones worldwide. Once, using this link, I managed to save a soldier’s life in South Sudan. I drove to their facility and introduced myself as Malak, my code name during my tenure there at Black Wings. However, as the patient’s health deteriorated, I found myself making an unauthorized entry into the building, driven by an urgent need to help.

In due course, the company’s head acknowledged Dr. Baek and allowed him safe passage, instructing his troops to halt their attack on the vehicle. Once the team had rescued the soldier, Dr. Baek asked for a ride back to South Korea, which was granted by the leader. He recognized that many soldiers were indebted to Dr. Baek for saving their lives.

In the days following surgery, Dr. Baek pays a visit to Director Choi’s residence when Choi was away from the hospital. Upon their meeting, Choi suspects that Baek had been given preferential treatment to gain access to the hospital. He inquires as to why Baek chose Hankuk University Hospital. At this point, Dr. Baek discloses a personal story; his father had passed away after being denied treatment by multiple hospitals before reaching Hankuk, where Choi had done everything in his power to save him. This act of kindness was the motivation behind Baek’s decision to become a doctor and save lives. This revelation leaves Director Choi speechless, leading him to ultimately grant permission for the use of helicopters at the Trauma Center.

How does The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call end?

Ultimately, Dr. Baek’s persistent efforts in obtaining additional resources for the Trauma Center prove successful. At a press gathering, Director Choi and Dr. Han greet Minister Kang Myeong-Hui. Simultaneously, Dr. Baek and Dr. Jae-Won participate in a conference aimed at attracting more medical professionals to the Trauma Center, where they encounter Dong-Ju, a South Sudanese soldier who had previously assisted in saving his captain’s life. Intrigued about how he could contribute as a doctor, Dong-Ju queries Dr. Baek, to whom he is told that he will be saving lives.

Following the conference, Drs. Baek and Jae-Won proceed to a function displaying the hospital’s helicopter. As the event kicks off, they receive an urgent call regarding a patient requiring immediate medical attention. While Drs. Baek and Jae-Won officially launch the helicopter, nurse Jang-Mi and anesthesiologist Park Gyeong-Won set up necessary medical equipment for the patient in need. The closing scene underscores the significance of hospital helicopters within trauma centers, emphasizing their vital role in delivering prompt emergency care to critically ill patients.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In the climactic scenes, it’s clear that the helicopter alone won’t revolutionize the healthcare system. Instead, the film subtly suggests that the real game-changer for effective trauma care lies in ensuring our hospitals and medical professionals have the necessary resources to function optimally under tough circumstances – this means adequate funding and top-notch equipment. The helicopter represents one of these crucial resources, but it’s merely a symbol of the relentless struggle Dr. Baek and his team faced to secure them. Ultimately, the show leaves us with a poignant message: without substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure, even our most gifted medical teams can be stymied in their quest to save lives.

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2025-01-25 06:06

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