THE TRAUMA CODE: HEROES ON CALL
TRAUMA CENTER HEROES SHINE AMIDST TRAGEDY
AWESOME! A TRUE DOCTOR!
Oh wow.
SEND HIM TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY!
I THINK HE IS KINDA SEXY…
"Way to go, Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk."
"Dr. Baek is one handsome man."
"Handsome man"?
Why? What? Why?
Are you just… posting that under articles about you?
What about it? Am I wrong though?
Ugh. It's gross.
You're saying it's gross? You'd better--
Uh, no, no. Jang-mi said it. I didn't say it.
Yes, that's right.
Come on, Jang-mi. That's not what I meant.
Dr. Baek, this is all your fault now.
Hey. Do you not understand what I'm doing?
Yeah? What?
You tell me what our other colleagues… think about our department.
That we're in the red. We're a giant nuisance.
Uh, and a big drain on the budget.
Exactly.
So what should we do in these circumstances?
- What's the solution? - Bring in money, I guess.
That's right. And how do we get that money?
Look. Right here.
This is our defense. First, we get public opinion on our side.
And if we continue saving lives like we have been,
the public will eventually understand how essential we are.
At that point, the hospital will have to respect us.
Uh, okay.
So I'm like the… god of the trauma center now.
And you… you're the son.
She's the holy ghost.
Ah. She's a big liability though.
Uh, sorry about that.
Ah!
Gosh. I'm just in a bit of a rush, so… I wanted to speed things up.
Congratulations.
You got what you wanted.
Oh, I think the congratulations can wait until later when we're… fully staffed.
Fully staffed? Are you serious?
Ah. I think she might… have time to take a call.
Are you threatening me right now?
Yes.
That's exactly… what I'm doing.
MINISTER KANG MYEONG-HUI
The public seems to be turning their attention
to the trauma center right now because of the Sowol Bridge accident,
isn't that right?
Don't you think that now is the best time to give them our full support?
- This way, Minister. - Mm.
So you agree with me too, right, Director Choi?
With the peace agreement signed last August,
Doctors for International Peace has announced
the resumption of volunteer medical activities…
Put out that recruitment notice for trauma center staff.
Huh? But, Director--
The minister says she has put all her faith in us.
She requested our full support on this.
Don't worry about it.
Postings like this always have zero applicants anyway.
This deficit's already driving me insane as it is, and now, this?
You know how many helicopter calls there were?
Last week, there were five of them!
That's very expensive!
It's like he's out to get me or something!
Ah, I know what you mean.
You know this is about you as well.
Sir? Yes. Yes, yes, yes, I know.
All right… 'cause you should be very concerned
with this situation as well.
We can't let Baek Kang-hyuk get away with this.
Right.
Don't tell me…
Are you waiting for them to appoint you as director?
Is that what's going on here?
Oh, uh, Director Choi, don't be ridiculous.
Of course not!
It's not your role as future hospital director.
It's your current role as head of planning and coordination that's at risk.
We'll have no choice except to let go of our highest-paid positions.
Someone like you, Director Hong.
Yes, sir. I'm very well aware.
Oh, you're "aware," are you?
You need to start taking action. Action!
Always ordering me around. I'm practically his slave.
Why? What gives him the right?
Wait, what happened?
Director Choi is throwing a fit because of Dr. Baek.
Oh, right.
The minister forced him to sign off on that trauma surgery budget increase,
so he's totally lost his mind.
Is that right? He signed off?
My reaction exactly. Yeah, it's decided.
Ah. That's a relief.
I was gonna bring that up with you anyway.
"Relief"?
Ah, well, you know how it is.
It's just inevitable that trauma surgery will incur large deficits like this, so…
And why would that concern you?
Oh, well, just, you know, as head of general surgery--
Exactly.
Pretty soon, we'll all be out of work, and you're telling me it's a relief?
How can you say that?
You're not changing your tune because he saved Ji-yeong's life, are you?
What?
Oh, come on. Like I'm gonna go over to his side and betray you?
I'm disappointed you'd even think that. Huh?
We've known each other so long!
We've been through ups and downs together. For 20 years, we've been like brothers!
How can he be so weak-willed like that? It's ridiculous.
Damn helicopter is always in the air lately.
Why, you little…
Hey!
Quit that racket, would you? You're a nuisance!
Hey, listen here, you assholes!
Baek Kang-hyuk's wings?
I'll clip them to pieces.
Uh, Dr. Baek, where should we go?
Emergency OR!
Here.
- Take good care of them! - Will do. Thank you!
- Huh? - I'll phone the next of kin.
Go register the patient's personal information.
- Doesn't the medical team do that? - Let's help each other out a little.
We get to work in shifts. They don't even have time to rest. Go.
Could I make a quick phone call?
Number One.
- Prep for a thoracotomy. - Yes, sir.
Intubating now.
- Dr. Park? - Yes?
His BP's low. Administer muscle relaxants as slowly as possible.
"Dr. Park"?
Why don't I get called Dr. Yang, huh?
Shut up and get on with disinfecting.
Yes, Doctor.
Breathing tube's in. I'll start on the anesthetic.
- Hand towels. - Oh. Right.
You unfolded…
Gown.
Uh, uh… Oh, right, yes.
Here.
Seriously. What the hell?
Ah. My name is Agnes, Doctor.
I wasn't asking for your name.
She's new here, Dr. Baek.
She's also Catholic, which is why her name is Agnes.
She's come over from emergency medicine, so go easy on her.
- I asked for reinforcements. - Ah.
And they send some rookie?
Whoa.
Oh. No, no, no, no. It's all right. Don't touch it. Just leave it.
I want you to just sit still right over here, okay?
Daddy will take care of it.
Jesus, those things are loud.
Oh, Jae-hun… Uh…
Hello, Fire Commissioner. Yes, it's me.
- Huh? - Dad?
What is he doing over there?
How kind of you, Jae-hun, to come visit this old man in person.
Oh, of course!
I wanted to see you.
Also, I've brought your doctor up to speed
so you can stay focused on your treatment during your stay with us.
The commissioner of the National Fire Agency?
Why is Jae-hun visiting him?
I have a bad feeling about this. Hmm. A really bad feeling.
119 AIR RESCUE UNIT
Mr. An.
NATIONAL 119 RESCUE HEADQUARTERS
What?
- I think you should take a look at this. - Why is something wrong?
PERSONNEL TRANSFERS AN JUNG-HEON TO ADMINISTRATION
Pediatrics agreed to give us an official reply about this patient, right?
They promised to email within the day.
The prognosis isn't serious…
Doc… Dr. Baek.
A… A patient suffered a fall at Bukhansan. It's a serious head injury.
- Get ready to move, Gangster. - Okay.
Wait! They won't let us go.
What the hell are you saying?
I mean, I contacted the National Rescue Unit
immediately after I received the call,
and it sounds like Mr. An
was transferred out.
This is the National Rescue Unit speaking.
This is Baek Kang-hyuk of Hankuk National University Hospital.
Uh…
What's this about not being able to deploy the helicopter?
Dr. Baek, it's just… Let me explain.
We're running out of time. We need to get there right away.
Just a moment.
"Just a moment"?
We need every second we can get right now.
- Let's go! - Hello?
Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk?
Yes. Who is this?
I'm the new team leader.
119 AIR RESCUE UNIT CHO DEOK-GYU
I'd heard a lot about you, Dr. Baek, so I took a look through our records.
Seems you've been ordering the helicopter over the phone like you own it.
This is state property. You can't just use it at your convenience.
- "At my convenience"? What? - What is it?
It even says that you piloted at one point.
Do you have a helicopter license?
Is that really what's important here?
Yes, I flew the damn thing, and nobody got hurt. Understand?
Just send the helicopter right away.
Please don't raise your voice. Going forward,
we will no longer accept requests for services via telephone.
Fill out an official request,
and follow the proper procedures from now on.
You must be joking--
Are you there? Hey!
- Dr. Baek-- - That little--
- Dr. Baek. Dr… Dr… Dr. Baek! - You asshole!
Please don't curse! No cursing.
Calm down.
Just breathe.
Breathe.
Damn it!
What's wrong now? What is it? Aren't they sending a helicopter?
Uh-uh. They won't budge no matter what we say.
Ugh. Forget it.
Our priority is Bukhansan. Get in touch with the first responders.
Hello?
It's Yang Jae-won from Hankuk University Hospital.
What's the status of the patient?
His blood pressure is 80 over 50.
Unconscious, and his left eye is showing slow pupil response.
Are you on your way?
Ah, well, unfortunately,
we can't get there right away.
The National Rescue Unit said
they need an official request to send the helicopter over here, so…
An official request?
Those only get approved in the morning.
They know this is an emergency, right?
Yes, we've tried to reason with them.
Do you think there's a way for us to get there with just a vehicle?
Uh, yes, it's possible.
We'll get the patient to the entrance of the hiking trail.
Please come as quickly as you can.
All right. That sounds good.
Wait, what the hell?
Great. And how are we supposed to get there? We gonna take a taxi?
You may as well tell them to hail a cab right now!
Well, we… we have an ambulance though.
- An ambulance? - Yes.
We don't have time for this. What are you doing?
- Take a look! - Huh? What is this?
With the helicopter, we haven't had to use it.
The trauma center funding was used to purchase a high-end ambulance.
The higher-ups wanted something to brag about.
Wow. This has all we need. Hey, why haven't we ever used this? Huh?
Let's get going right away.
Yes, sir. I'll get in the back, Dr. Baek.
You getting in?
Shouldn't I be here instead?
No. We need you for the head count.
- What head count? - Gangster, come on! I'm not arguing!
Oh.
Ah! Slow down, Dr. Baek! Could you please drive more carefully?
Oh, why'd you bring me with you? Was it so you could kill me?
Ah, watch out, Dr. Baek!
BUKHANSAN NATIONAL PARK
Number One, we're almost there.
Ask for an exact location.
We're almost there. Where exactly are you?
- Hey, Dr. Baek! Turn right at the fork. - Okay.
It's been a while. I'm a little rusty. The speed on this thing--
That was like a runaway train with no brakes. You're a crazy driver.
Uh, quiet. The patient's here.
Hey, come on. Quickly, quickly!
We're low on time. Let's talk on the way.
Okay.
I'll move our car for you.
Ah. Yeah, I still got it from my days as a valet.
There was no pupil response in the left eye? When did you last check it?
We checked when we first found him. Not since then.
Dr. Baek, there's no urination or defecation.
- Let's start. Shave his head first. - Yes, Doctor.
No response on his right either.
Does that mean it's serious?
If the brain itself is damaged, there's nothing we can do.
But hopefully, it's a temporary effect of a brain hemorrhage.
If only we'd gotten here sooner.
Shave and disinfect his head.
We need to make the incision now.
Uh, hold on a minute. Incision?
In a moving vehicle?
Yes. We need to do it right away.
Nurse Jang-mi, are you on your way?
Get the team in neurology ready to see him as soon as we arrive.
There is no free space in his skull at all.
Intracranial pressure is high.
It's not good. We can't even see the bleed.
Doctor, is that really bad?
If a bleed is the cause, we can remove it.
But when the brain is swollen in general, then…
Give him steroids.
Let's make another hole.
What? Uh, another one?
What are you waiting for?
What's the point of any of this?
Blood pressure's falling.
His pulse is okay. Start disinfecting.
The brain stem is herniating.
Still, we need to do whatever we can.
Hurry up.
Number One.
What's the point of even trying anymore? Nobody else gives a shit.
So what? You saying we should give up?
All the hospital does is nag us about the budget deficit or whatever.
They won't even let us fly the helicopter without a request!
So what's the point of any of it?
Don't get hung up on the helicopter. This is in our hands now.
You're right. It's completely up to us.
If they had flown us out here like we asked,
this patient would've had a chance.
Stop all of this now!
Every second you waste talking, the patient inches closer to death.
Hold him. We're making… a second hole.
Dr. Baek.
We requested a neurology consult. They're waiting for you inside.
- I'm No Jun-yong of neurology. - Wasn't expecting the head of neurology.
Yes, I've been waiting to be of assistance to you.
Oh, I see. Thank you.
- Prepare for CT. - Yes, Dr. No.
Hey there.
- Yes? - Did… something happen on the way here?
I… I thought I heard arguing in there.
His brain function is significantly decreased overall.
Sensory function doesn't seem too bad.
But the issue is motor function.
Yes.
If he survives, he'll probably need lifelong care.
Thankfully, you were there to treat him on-site.
He's still alive for now.
We're still in the acute phase.
We'll run some more tests and let you know.
No need to request consults. We'll be sure to monitor his progress.
Take good care of him, please.
Uh, Dr. Baek.
His next of kin is here.
As of now,
the patient is in a vegetative state.
There's nothing else you can do?
I'm so sorry.
Oh my gosh!
If they had transported him via helicopter, maybe he'd be all right now.
Dr. Baek seems devastated.
Not only did he perform a tracheotomy in a moving vehicle,
he even bore two holes into the skull.
He did everything he could to save him.
He pulled out all the stops to keep the patient alive.
They couldn't use a helicopter?
This smells fishy, huh.
Jae-hun was definitely laughing with the fire commissioner in his room earlier.
I'm 100% sure. Huh. Should I tell him?
Or should I not?
I can't become friends with Dr. Baek.
Ah, forget it. I don't have tell him anything.
Hello?
Please listen carefully to what I'm saying.
I heard the helicopter was grounded today,
which means, in the future, you'll have fewer patients.
If you have fewer patients, the budget deficit will go down.
- You understand what I'm saying? - Dr. Han Yu-rim, what are you saying?
How'd he know it was me? Is he nearby?
Anyways, Dr. Baek,
you can't tell anyone that you heard this from me.
But with regards to the helicopter being grounded,
I have a strong suspicion that it might have
a little something to do with Director Hong.
Dr. Jung,
I've been told the route that you take to work is quite "circulatory."
Sometimes I take the freeway.
Baek Kang-hyuk?
What on earth do you think you're doing?
I could ask you the same thing as well.
What on earth are you doing?
I don't follow your question.
The helicopter.
Yeah? What about the helicopter?
You did it. You grounded the helicopter.
Excuse me?
Dr. Baek, uh--
Do you know that a patient almost died?
So what if I did? Do you have any evidence that I did? Huh?
You know you can't just barge in like this.
Sounds like you're saying a patient was in danger
because the helicopter was grounded.
Still, you can't just go around accusing people without evidence.
Are you fucking joking?
Excuse me? How dare you!
I tell you that a patient almost died, and this is your answer?
Oh my God. You really are a piece of shit.
- You're out of line! Take it easy. - Why, you little prick!
What?
You don't like cursing, but you don't care whether a patient lives or dies?
I will destroy you, you son of a bitch!
- Hey! - Huh?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Ah, my back!
Don't move. Just lie there.
For your own sake.
Uh…
Director Hong.
Are you okay? Sir, are you--
Get off!
HANKUK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
You must be crazy, you know that?
I mean, why do such a thing?
Right, I must have gone insane.
But why challenge Dr. Baek? You know how he is.
Ah…
Honestly, why did I do it?
Seriously.
Ugh.
Uh, why…
Nurse Jang-mi. Hello, speaking.
- Dr. Jae-won. - Hmm?
Where are you right now? Dr. Baek is looking for you.
Dr. Baek is?
Yes. He wants you to come to the roof of the old building right away.
- You know where that is, right? - He's on the roof?
I think it has to be really creepy and dark up there at this hour.
Come quickly.
Ah! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
What's that?
Thought it was a person.
- Oh! Dr. Jae-won. - Oh, what?
Nurse Jang-mi.
Wait, what are you doing here?
Actually, I wanted to see you.
You wanted to see me?
Okay. Why?
The paramedic told me that you had a really hard time today.
Ah… You heard that.
I come here… every time there's something that pisses me off.
Every five minutes, this air vent here switches on.
When it does, I come over and… Oh.
Listen here, you motherfucking assholes!
- You're all sons of bitches! - Wait! Wait! What wrong? What is this?
What's wrong?
- You call yourselves human? - Stop it, Jang-mi!
No!
Someone was dying, and you fuckers ground the helicopter!
I'm gonna kill you all!
I'm going to kill every fucking one of you!
Jesus, that girl is always screaming into a vent up there.
And why this vent?
Oh, stop. Leave her alone.
- She's a good kid. - Motherfucking assholes!
Hey! Stop it. Stop that now!
You're gonna pay for this!
Wow. Uh, wow.
I always feel good after I yell like that.
- You should try it too. Hmm. - Huh?
No, it's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
Oh, please, please, please.
- Do it. - Oh, it's… it's just that…
I've never really cursed.
Oh, don't worry. Just say whatever, then.
- Uh… - Whatever you wanna say.
- Okay. - Mm.
Hey, assholes!
Uh, uh, you're, uh…
Huh?
Uh… It's over.
Try again later. It'll switch on again in five minutes.
I'm sorry.
- That was hilarious. - Oh, this is…
Ugh, sorry.
I guess I'm not good at comforting people.
Oh, not at all. That's all right.
Well, I guess it did… do something good, I suppose. Yes.
Seriously?
That's a relief.
Ugh, I was honestly so nervous that you'd actually leave us.
I wouldn't leave.
But I'm mad at Dr. Baek. That is true.
Honestly… I just can't figure it out, you know?
How to keep pushing forward.
Hmm.
You know, I think I get it.
Really?
Yeah, I think so.
You certainly have the ability.
Looking at you,
it's like looking at my old self.
I used to think,
"Why endure all this bullshit when no one ever acknowledges it?"
I asked myself that all the time.
Acknowledgment's not really why we do this, is it?
Money's not the reason either.
Right.
Look at me though.
Do you think I'm a fifth-year senior nurse because I'm some kind of superhero?
Mm-mm.
No, it's because I have to. I mean, someone has to do it.
That happens to be me.
Unfortunately, it happens to be you too.
That's just how it works out.
Hmm?
Let's agree
to keep going.
Bam.
Thanks for this.
DR. BAEK KANG-HYUK: TO THE CAFETERIA
COLORECTAL SURGERY
Why is he summoning me out of the blue at this hour?
Does he know I'm the rat?
He knows.
You asked to see me?
Yes. Sit down.
You're working quite late tonight, huh?
You're working too hard, yeah? You should conserve your energy.
Yu-rim.
Yes? Your humble servant, Yu-rim, is all ears.
I…
must destroy Baek Kang-hyuk.
What?
You have dirt on him, don't you?
Um…
Sir.
Have some food.
Sure.
I was out of line earlier, and I let you down.
I…
No, I understand.
Sir?
No one else seems to care about our team
or the work we do, so why do it?
That's something… I've thought about as well.
Did I ever tell you…
my father… passed away in a traffic accident.
You mentioned it before, yes.
That day,
he was on the brink of death after the accident.
Not a single hospital would take him in.
Pathetic.
The real issue
is that deaths like that keep happening every single day.
It's a tragedy.
They're abandoned
and end up dead.
So, I…
I promised myself that I would never ever give up on a patient.
Bit sentimental, I suppose.
But you need to find your own reason too.
So that when you're working late
and getting treated like shit,
you'll always remember why you do this.
You know, there will be greater difficulties
for you in the future.
And without a reason to continue this journey,
you won't survive.
This won't be the last time I hear this, right?
Yeah, right.
Well… I'm gonna get some rest.
Okay.
I'm a little tired today.
Number One.
Yes?
You have nothing to apologize for.
You're still searching for your purpose.
Just haven't found your "why" yet.
Ugh, sit.
Hurry up and finish that.
Eating is part of your work too, all right?
Yes, Dr. Baek.
Why aren't you speaking?
Why aren't you spilling the beans on Baek Kang-hyuk's controversial past?
Or are you already on his side now?
No way.
Then why?
Jae-hun, let me off the hook this once.
You know very well just how loyal to you I've been.
Oh, I know. Mm.
And that
is why I've allocated plenty of funding to colorectal surgery.
It's because I've had your back.
I see that you've changed though.
What?
Okay. I got it.
The extra funding trauma surgery wants,
I know exactly where I'll get that money now.
From colorectal surgery.
Oh, no. Seriously? Why are you saying all that?
Listen to me.
Did I… or did I not tell you to choose your allegiances wisely?
Seeing as you are dead set on this matter,
I guess I have no choice.
Please.
Let's hear what you've got.
His weakness.
I can never tell you.
I won't tell you.
Hey, asshole, are you toying with me right now?
No, I'm choosing my allegiances wisely.
He saved my only daughter's life,
and I could never betray someone like that.
You're my friend, and yet, you didn't even pay her a visit.
Huh.
So this is how you wanna do this?
Then I'll take my leave, Director Choi.
Oh, right. You may leave.
Director Hong.
Right.
- What is this? - Take a look, sir.
We'll speak after you've had a look.
The patient's family has requested a thorough investigation into the facts.
It's always a risk with these sorts of things.
And after all of that bragging…
This has become a real headache, hasn't it?
Not quite.
Now is the ideal opportunity to get rid of this guy forever.
That would be a stretch, don't you think?
Our reputation is…
You think I haven't considered that?
You have a plan for everything, don't you?
Hmm?
Stab wound patient. 15 centimeters in length.
Patient is conscious, but the blade is so embedded
that they weren't able to perform any first aid.
We're going straight into surgery?
CT first. We need to check the stab wound.
Get ready for surgery and thoracotomy.
Nurse Jang-mi.
What?
Ah…
I can't help but smile.
It's like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders. Oh, this feels great.
You sure you don't have to go?
I'm telling you no.
Uh, they said it was urgent though.
Not my problem.
- Park Gyeong. - Is it the trauma center?
There an emergency surgery?
This little asshole here.
Hey.
Don't go.
That might have come out wrong.
I'm saying don't go.
What? Out of the way!
- Oh! - Move! Move it!
- Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! - Whoa. Stop. Stop.
We have orders to restrict Dr. Baek from entering the premises.
- What? - Huh?
Why?
It's hospital guidelines to suspend activities
for any staff suspected of malpractice.
- Malpractice? - Yeah.
Apparently, he performed surgery inside a moving ambulance.
Well, the family found out.
They're now considering talking to the press
and filing a lawsuit for excessive treatment.
So, Baek Kang-hyuk is done for.
Actually, I think you're mistaken. It's not true.
I was… I was the witness. Yeah. So move aside.
- It's an urgent situation here. - Block him.
Out of the way! Otherwise, this patient will die!
Stand back!
- Let us in! - Let go!
Dr. Baek! They won't let us into the OR!
It's Director Hong.
For now, just let us through.
You can confirm all this again later. Move aside.
Move aside. Come on, please. Please!
Come on, let us through!
Move aside, will you? Come on, please. Just move.
Number One.
Do whatever you need to do and get a CT.
You can go inside, right?
M… me?
- Dr. Baek, hold on. - Hey, wait.
Dr. Baek, we could get a CT. What about the surgery?