Ju Ji-hoon Reflects on 20 Years in Acting and His Role in 'Trauma Center'

Ju Ji-hoon, who began his acting career over 20 years ago with the hit series 'Princess Hours' (궁), recently shared insights into his journey and his latest project, the Netflix series 'Trauma Center' (중증외상센터). In an interview held on January 23 at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, he discussed the challenges and triumphs of his acting career, emphasizing the importance of honest communication within the creative process.

'Trauma Center' tells the compelling story of Baek Kang-hyeok (played by Ju Ji-hoon), a brilliant surgeon who is assigned to revive a struggling trauma team. The series is adapted from the popular web novel 'Trauma Center: Golden Hour' and its corresponding webtoon, both written by real-life doctor Lee Nak-jun, pen name Han San. The adaptation has generated significant anticipation among drama fans due to its dramatic narrative and realistic portrayals.

The show consists of eight episodes, with four episodes already previewed for the press. Ju Ji-hoon expressed his satisfaction with the series, stating, "I found it very good." He also highlighted his long-standing collaboration with director Lee Do-yoon, dating back to their 2014 film 'Good Friends.' Ju Ji-hoon described their relationship as one of deep trust and emotional connection, saying, "It feels like we share joy and sorrow together. I really love him."

The actor noted that the production involved extensive discussions, often meeting daily to share meals and ideas, which he found refreshing. He remarked on the difficulties of adapting a comic into a live-action format, particularly the need to balance artistic freedom with realistic portrayals. Ju Ji-hoon explained, "In comics, there are many instances of redundancy. For example, if I want to indicate I'm drinking coffee, I can just gesture to the cup. But in a comic, I have to say, 'Can I have some coffee?' Such dialogue can disrupt the flow. The difference between visual storytelling and comic storytelling is significant, and finding a way to harmonize these approaches is challenging."

Having previously starred in the medical drama 'Medical Top Team' (메디컬 탑팀) in 2013, Ju Ji-hoon emphasized that 'Trauma Center' is not just another medical drama. He stressed the seriousness of the subject matter, stating, "You cannot approach life-and-death situations lightly. I prepared very diligently for this role."

He also acknowledged the complexities of depicting medical procedures accurately, noting that the precision required in real-life surgeries is difficult to convey dramatically. Ju Ji-hoon humorously compared the portrayal of blood in the series to that in the zombie drama 'Kingdom' (킹덤), stating, "If a heart surgery results in blood spraying like in the drama, the patient wouldn't survive."

Reflecting on his growth as an actor over the past two decades, Ju Ji-hoon shared that he learned everything on set, often asking questions about the technical aspects of filmmaking. He expressed gratitude for the supportive relationships he has built in the industry, particularly with younger actors, and emphasized the importance of teamwork in creating a successful production.

As he looks forward to the release of 'Trauma Center' on January 24, Ju Ji-hoon hopes that audiences will find joy and entertainment in the series, especially during challenging times. He also hinted at his aspirations to produce in the future, although he humorously stated that directing is not on his agenda, as he would likely be a difficult director for actors to work with.