Actor Ha Young exits The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call sequel amid family controversy

Netflix has confirmed that Ha Young will not return for the second and third seasons of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. Her exit follows controversy over her great-grandfather's alleged links to pro-Japanese activities during colonial rule.

In Short

• Ha Young played nurse Cheon Jang-mi in the hit first season
• The issue surfaced after her remarks on KBS2's Problem Child in House
• Online users identified her great-grandfather as doctor Ahn Sang Ho

South Korean actor Ha Young will not return for the upcoming seasons of Netflix’s popular medical drama The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. Netflix has confirmed that the actor has stepped down from the planned second and third seasons of the series.

Ha Young played nurse Cheon Jang-mi in the first season, which starred Ju Ji-hoon as brilliant trauma surgeon Baek Kang-hyuk. Choo Young-woo also featured prominently in the drama as Yang Jae-won, Baek’s protege.

The actor’s exit comes weeks after she faced controversy over her great-grandfather’s alleged links to pro-Japanese activities during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea.

The controversy began after Ha Young spoke about her family’s medical history on the KBS2 variety show Problem Child in House. During the appearance, she discussed her great-grandfather, whom she described as a doctor who had studied Western medicine in Japan and later established a Western-style clinic in Seoul.

Following the broadcast, online users identified her great-grandfather as doctor Ahn Sang Ho. Historical records subsequently surfaced listing his name among council members of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe, an organisation associated with pro-Japanese activities during the colonial period.

Ha Young’s agency initially denied the allegations but later acknowledged that historical records did list Ahn Sang Ho as a council member. The agency apologised for issuing its initial statement before thoroughly verifying the information.

Ha Young later issued a personal apology, saying she had only known limited details about her great-grandfather through family accounts. She acknowledged that she had spoken about him with pride without being aware of his complete history and expressed remorse after researching the matter herself.

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, released in January 2025, became a major global success for Netflix and quickly gained an international following. Plans for the second season have been underway, with production reportedly expected to begin in October. The second and third seasons are being planned as follow-ups to the original story.

Netflix has not announced whether another actor will replace Ha Young or how Cheon Jang-mi’s absence will be addressed in the upcoming seasons.

The actor is also currently working on SBS’ upcoming drama The Long Shot Trial, which is reportedly nearing completion.

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