Remembering Professor Lee Gook-jong… The Deep Resonance Left by the Drama <Emergency Trauma Center>

"Did you see the Trauma Center during Seollal?"

It was a greeting from people who returned to their daily lives after a long holiday.

It's popular worldwide now, but I think the incredibly well-timed release date was a masterstroke.

The day after the drama premiered, I watched all eight episodes over two days at my vacation lodging.

Following the collective action against the February 2024 medical policy, the atmosphere was tense.

The highly anticipated tvN drama also had its broadcast postponed for a year, but

the Netflix series <Trauma Center> seems to have made a bold and successful start.

They advertised it so much as South Korea's first original Netflix medical series that I had seen the trailer a long time ago, but

'It's not the genre or characters I expected..?'

I was a bit surprised.

I found out later, after watching the entire drama, that the original work was a web novel (webtoon), and it was very popular.

The reason I don't read webtoons is simple: they use too much data.

I don't have an unlimited data plan, so I naturally avoid webtoons to save data.

I heard that those who knew the original work had high expectations.

It's more accurate to consider it a medical fantasy hero genre rather than a traditional medical drama.

Given that it's based on Professor Lee Gook-jong, whom many South Koreans deeply respect,

many people watched it with high expectations, only to be surprised by the helicopter scene at the end of the first episode,

leaving them wondering if they should continue watching.

However, the reason why they couldn't stop watching was probably similar.

☑️ Fantastic synergy between the main and supporting actors, with no weak links in the acting.

☑️ Subtle comedic elements woven into the serious tone.

☑️ Satisfying plot development with quick resolution of obstacles.

☑️ The refreshing feeling of overcoming frustrating situations that cannot be solved in reality.

I laughed a lot while watching the drama, but it was also very sad.

It kept bringing back memories of Professor Lee Gook-jong's struggles in the past and his ultimate failures.

I kept thinking about his hardships, subtly woven throughout the drama.

I wonder if he saw this drama?

"As medical technology advances, many treatments will be developed for cancer and rare diseases, making them more <curable> diseases."

If trauma centers start to be downsized and ignored because they are not profitable,

people will die not from illness, but because those who work hard physically

will frequently die from missing the golden time after being rushed to emergency rooms and moving from hospital to hospital after an accident.

Sadly, most of them are low-income earners."

This is what Professor Lee Gook-jong strongly argued in a past interview.

It resonated with me so much that it's still deeply ingrained in my mind.

They'll only snap to it when their own family is in the emergency room!!

That became a reality in the drama <Trauma Center>.

"Trauma can happen to anyone. Don't foolishly think it's someone else's problem."

And Han Yu-rim changed her values.

Now, having received permission to practice medicine,

I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity.

I will practice medicine with my conscience and dignity.

I will uphold my duty to the patient, transcending race, religion, nationality, political party, faction, or social standing.

I will fulfill my duty to the patient.

I will not misuse my knowledge, even under threat.

May their oath be kept in every land,

under every sun in this world. I cheered them on - from the drama <Descendants of the Sun>

Today, I cheer for the emergency medicine medical staff who are struggling to save patients.