Hayoung Played a Nurse in ‘Trauma Code’—Her Family's Background Explains Why

Hayoung, the rising star of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (with Ju Ji-hoon and Choo Young-woo), opens up about her surprising background in fine arts, her medical family, and what led her to suddenly pivot to acting.

On the May 16 episode of KBS2’s Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant (Pyeonstorang), new cast member Hayoung makes her debut as a “Pyeon-chef,” inviting viewers into her newly independent life and personal story.

The episode begins in Hayoung’s cozy one-room apartment, where the camera catches glimpses of stunning, aesthetically pleasing artwork scattered throughout the space. To viewers’ surprise, all the pieces were drawn by Hayoung herself.

“I’ve been doing art since I was young,” she said. “I went to an arts-focused middle and high school, and I majored in Western painting at Ewha Womans University.”

After over a decade dedicated solely to art, Hayoung’s path took another unexpected turn—she studied abroad at the prestigious School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York, one of the top three art schools in the U.S.

So, how did she end up becoming an actress?

“While studying at SVA, I randomly took an acting class—and it was such an intense, unforgettable experience,” she recalled.

“I didn’t hesitate. I just thought, ‘I need to act. Now.’”

Two years after switching to acting, Hayoung made her debut. And in just six years, she’s risen to lead roles through relentless dedication and effort. Earlier this year, Hayoung drew widespread praise for her performance as nurse Cheon Jang-mi in the popular medical series The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. Her realistic and emotionally rich portrayal captured viewers’ attention.

MC Boom noted the layered authenticity of her acting and asked, “I heard your father and sister are doctors, and your mom used to be a nurse. Did you get advice from them for your role?”

Hayoung replied, “I worked part-time at the hospital where my parents work, so I observed everything—how they moved, how they spoke, the atmosphere. I think those things helped me more than I realized.”

In addition to her acting, Hayoung shook up the set of Pyeonstorang with her energy and impressive cooking skills. She prepared her favorite dish—ramen—with creative, unexpected twists, shared her personal kimchi-making techniques, and proved she’s as strong in the kitchen as she is on screen.

Catch Hayoung’s episode of Pyeonstorang on May 16 at 8:30 p.m. KST.

Meanwhile, Hayoung continues to rise in the industry. She was recently confirmed as the female lead opposite Jung Hae-in in the upcoming Netflix romance series Lovestruck.

With her growing versatility—from emotionally grounded medical roles to now fronting a high-profile romantic drama—Hayoung is proving herself as one of the most promising actresses of her generation.

K-drama fans are eager to see how she brings a new layer of charm and depth to this highly anticipated project.

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