Joo Ji-hoon Shines in Netflix's 'Trauma Center' as Series Gains Massive Popularity

The Netflix series Trauma Center (중증외상센터) has been making waves since its global release on January 24, 2025. The show follows the story of Baek Kang-hyuk (played by Joo Ji-hoon), a brilliant surgeon who takes on the challenge of reviving a struggling trauma team. Joo Ji-hoon's portrayal of the team leader has garnered acclaim, with many calling it his 'life's work' and 'defining character.'

Since its debut, Trauma Center has consistently held the top spot in Netflix's 'Top 10 in South Korea,' generating significant buzz. According to Good Data Corporation's TV-OTT popularity survey for the fifth week of January, the series ranked first in the drama category, while Joo Ji-hoon topped the cast popularity list. Notably, the show excelled in three out of four categories that measure popularity, including netizen reactions, videos, and social media, surpassing the second-place series, Squid Game 2 (오징어게임 2), by more than 2.5 times. The show's success has also led to a resurgence of Joo Ji-hoon's film, Operation: Unofficial (비공식작전), which re-entered Netflix's 'Top 10 Movies in South Korea.'

On a global scale, Trauma Center is on track to break Netflix's historical records. From January 27 to February 2, it achieved 11.9 million views, securing the number one spot in the non-English TV show category during its second week. It ranked second overall, following The Night Agent, which garnered 15.2 million views during the same period. This impressive performance positions Trauma Center among Netflix's most successful original series, alongside titles like All of Us Are Dead (지금 우리 학교는) and The Glory (더 글로리).

Joo Ji-hoon's performance in Trauma Center has been praised for its nuanced acting, striking visuals, and strong leadership as the team leader. He meticulously studied the experiences of real medical professionals to enhance his portrayal, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor even in high-pressure situations. His natural gestures and professional hand movements have received positive feedback from medical personnel as well.

In response to the overwhelming support from fans, Joo Ji-hoon will hold a fan meeting on February 10 at 7:30 PM at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall, alongside co-stars Choo Young-woo, Ha Young, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Jung Jae-kwang, bringing the entire 'Team Trauma' together for the event.