'The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call' Season 2 to begin filming in October amid co-star's pro-Japanese collaboration allegations

Season 2 of the Netflix drama series "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" is expected to begin filming in October, drawing attention to whether actor Ha Young — embroiled in controversy over her great-grandfather's alleged pro-Japanese collaboration — will return after appearing in season 1.

Lee Nak-jun, the author of the web novel on which the series is based and a former ear, nose and throat specialist, appeared on the KBS2 variety program "Maljashow" on Monday.

Lee introduced himself as "a 10-year veteran writer who publishes web novels under the pen name Hansaniga."

Host Kim Young-hee said she had watched the Ju Ji-hoon-led drama in just two days, calling it a series she "couldn't stop watching." When asked about season 2, Lee said pre-production had wrapped and location scouting was underway, adding that filming would "probably begin in October."

The series appears to have completed pre-production and entered the concrete preparation stage ahead of filming.

Whether the original cast will return for season 2 has become a point of interest. Ha Young — who played nurse Cheon Jang-mi in season 1 — has become a variable after being caught up in controversy over her great-grandfather's alleged pro-Japanese activities during the Japanese colonial period.

Ha Young revealed on the KBS2 variety program "Rooftop Troublemakers," which aired Aug. 7, that her family had produced doctors for four generations. It subsequently emerged that her great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho, a physician who practiced during the Japanese colonial era, prompting allegations of pro-Japanese collaboration over his conduct at the time.

As the controversy spread, Ha Young and co-star Jung Hae-in canceled press interviews for their upcoming Netflix drama series "This Rotten Love," and "Rooftop Troublemakers" — the episode in which Ha Young mentioned her great-grandfather — suspended its on-demand streaming service.

As public criticism intensified, Ha Young issued a handwritten apology on Aug. 12, saying she "accepts the wrongdoing gravely and sincerely apologizes as a descendant."

Following the controversy, Ha Young returned to the set of the SBS drama series "You Have a Chance" about a week after stepping away from filming.

SBS said it was "taking the recent matter involving the cast member very seriously" and was "carefully discussing the situation from multiple angles with the production company and relevant parties."