2025 was a landmark year for hospital dramas across multiple platforms. Medical professionals across a multitude of specialties and positions hailed HBO Max's The Pitt, ushering in a new era of realism for the genre, although not necessarily outright bringing it back to life. For many viewers, there was still plenty of gas in the tank for over-the-top shows. For Netflix, this presented two key series in 2025: Pulse, a critical disappointment which failed to secure another season, and The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call.
Despite plenty of hype surrounding Pulse as the first English-language medical procedural originally streamed on Netflix, its wild mishandling of its premise, characters, and scenarios prevented it from securing a larger following. Fortunately, The Trauma Code found no such issues, with its blend of absurdly high-stakes emergency rescues as its protagonist Baek Kang-hyuk, played by Ju Ji-hoon of Kingdom fame, won over the hearts and minds of its viewers. After taking over the struggling Trauma Unit of Hankuk National University Hospital, recent news sparks hope for the possibility of The Trauma Code being renewed for not just season 2, but season 3 as well.
Initial reports coming out of My Daily on June 22, 2026 suggested that The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call season 2 was headed into development with filming to begin later this year in October. There are even claims that the script up through episode #4 of season 2 has been written. However, Netflix has since denied these claims, with an official telling Edaily, "We are reviewing the production of a sequel to The Trauma Code, but nothing has been confirmed yet." While certainly not an explicit statement of renewal, the series entering talks for subsequent seasons speaks to the real demand felt among fans and even the author himself.
Lee Nak-jun, aka Hansanleega, is a medical doctor and webnovel creator who is the original author of The Trauma Code alongside medical illustrator and webtoon artist Hong Bichira. Hansanleega has frequently spoken about the story's production on the popular Korean YouTube channel Doctor Friends, in which he has previously mused on the possibility not only of season 2 but also season 3. It indicates his enthusiasm for such a prospect and, coupled with Netflix's statements, it is at least reasonable to hold out hope for now. ScreenRant has reached out to Netflix regarding the possibility of more The Trauma Code seasons, and will update this piece accordingly.
Releasing all eight of its episodes on January 24, 2025, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call quickly made a splash on the non-English Netflix Top 10 charts. The Studio N series quickly shot up to #3 on the chart for January 20-26, 2025, indicating a massive boost upon its arrival more than halfway through the week, with it hitting #1 the following week, and continuing to chart in the Top 10 until late February. The Trauma Code quickly became an easy recommendation due to its high-octane emergencies including a multi-car pileup, surgery during a helicopter rescue, and even treating wounded soldiers under active gunfire—eat your heart out, Dr. Abbot.
The series has ignited an impressive following and a familiar chorus of medical YouTubers weighing in on its subject matter. Doctor Mike certainly had a fun time with his reaction video, while Doctor ER even suggested it could be the most medically accurate K-drama of all time. These accolades can go a long way in terms of both validating confirmation bias of fans eager to see their favorite YouTuber liking their new show, and swaying newcomers to the series within the same amount of time. There's plenty of appreciation for what went into the series, and for The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, much like Bloodhounds recently, its K-drama adaptation could take on a new life all on its own.
