MANILA, Philippines — Netflix is bringing back one of its popular Korean medical dramas for two more seasons, but the upcoming return of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call will come with a significant cast change.
The streaming platform confirmed on October 19 that Seasons 2 and 3 will be produced simultaneously. Alongside the announcement, Netflix revealed that Jeong Ye-in, a former member of K-pop girl group Lovelyz, will join the returning cast.
Ye-in is set to take over the role of Cheon Jang-mi, the veteran trauma nurse portrayed by Ha Young in the first season. The casting change follows Ha Young’s departure from the series after controversy surrounding her great-grandfather’s alleged ties to pro-Japanese activities during Korea’s colonial period.
The development was reported by Korean news outlets, including Yonhap News Agency and SBS, as well as Philippine entertainment media. Netflix’s official announcement confirms Ye-in’s participation and the production of both upcoming seasons.
Jeong Ye-in joins the trauma team
Ye-in’s casting marks a new chapter for the series as the production prepares to bring its emergency medical team back to the screen.
Best known as a member of Lovelyz, which debuted in 2014, Ye-in has also pursued acting, with appearances in television productions including Criminal Minds and Na Ra the Socialite Wannabe. According to Yonhap, she secured her role in The Trauma Code after a rigorous audition process.
Her portrayal of Cheon Jang-mi will be one of the changes viewers can expect when the medical drama returns. It remains to be seen how the production will handle the character’s transition and whether the new interpretation will bring a different dynamic to the team.
Ju Ji-hoon and the main cast return
Fans can look forward to the return of Ju Ji-hoon as Baek Kang-hyuk, the brilliant surgeon determined to save patients even when circumstances seem impossible.
Choo Young-woo will reprise his role as Yang Jae-won, Kang-hyuk’s first protégé, whose growth as a trauma specialist remains an important part of the story.
Yoon Kyung-ho is also returning as Han Yu-rim, who evolves from an opponent of Kang-hyuk into a trusted colleague, while Jeong Jae-kwang will reprise his role as anesthesiologist Park Gyeong-won.
The returning cast is expected to face more complex emergencies and greater challenges as the team works to strengthen the hospital’s trauma care system.
Why Ha Young is leaving the series
Ha Young, whose legal name is Ahn Ha-young, played nurse Cheon Jang-mi in the first season.
In September, Yonhap reported that Netflix had confirmed her departure after public scrutiny of remarks about her great-grandfather, whose alleged pro-Japanese activities during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea became controversial. The actor had previously issued an apology regarding the controversy.
The casting change is therefore connected to a publicly reported controversy, rather than a confirmed storyline decision. Netflix has not indicated that the character’s replacement is part of the fictional plot.
What to expect from Seasons 2 and 3
The upcoming seasons will continue following Kang-hyuk and his colleagues as they race against time to save patients in increasingly difficult situations.
Netflix says the team will demonstrate stronger teamwork while confronting greater crises and unexpected circumstances. Kang-hyuk will also continue his efforts to expand and stabilize an effective trauma system.
Director Lee Do-yoon will write and direct Season 2. For Season 3, he will return as director and work with emerging writer Tomasi on the script.
The simultaneous production announcement suggests that Netflix is investing in a longer continuation of the story. However, the platform has not yet announced official premiere dates for either season.
A successful medical drama returns
The first season of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call premiered in January 2025 and follows a gifted surgeon trying to rebuild a struggling severe-trauma team. Its combination of medical emergencies, action, humor and workplace relationships helped it reach Netflix’s Top 10 lists in 63 countries and rank first in 18 countries, according to Netflix.
The next seasons will need to preserve the chemistry that made the original cast popular while introducing Ye-in to an established ensemble.
For fans, the biggest questions are how the new nurse will fit into the team, how Kang-hyuk’s mission will develop and what new life-threatening cases await the doctors.
With two seasons now confirmed for production, the story of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is far from over.
