This review may contain spoilers
TLDR: This is a grim drama that sheds light on the negatives in the Korean military service. Although there a couple funny moments brought mainly by the chemistry of the two main leads, the drama does not shy away from difficult topics especially bullying and toxic masculinity. We are introduced to An Jun Ho, which reminds me of Jung Hae In's character in Prison Playbook, an outwardly tough but deeply empathetic young soldier, who just wants to survive the 2 years and maybe even escape his family situation. The first scene begun with hazing/bullying of younger soldiers done by the senior soldiers. This foretold things to come in the latter episodes. As a way of survival, Jun Ho ended up in the D.P unit, where he is accompanied by an eccentric corporal Han Ho Yol, who I feel mainly provides the comic relief, and has great chemistry with Jun Ho. We are also introduced to the unit's haggard but tries-to-do-things-right sergeant. As the title and plot suggests, this drama dives into why people choose to desert their post during their service, which happens more often than not due to bullying. The last 2 episodes perhaps shows the worst possible scenario of when one is pushed to the verge of insanity as a result from the constant harassments. The series shows how corruption comes into play to prevent positive changes to the military and more importantly, toxic masculinity or obey-thy-senior culture perpetuates the bullying/hazing culture in the military. And at the end of the drama, one is left to wonder if real positive change can ever be implemented or how many more 'accidents' will it take to show the gravity of the situation.
*other things*: i really like the cinematography of the drama, having a 'blurred' look which i thought it meant how these soldiers wish it were like a dream, never truly existed. also, the soundtrack being mostly indie soft rock, especially the opening credits, felt very much like lost or wasted youth, which suits the theme of the drama. as much as i'd like another season mostly to dive deeper into the main leads, i do think the ending was good enough for a closure. lastly as a singaporean female who never went through military service, i do hope that nobody, at least in present times, have to go through such things.
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Powerful, chilling, valuable
the most important thing to know before you watch this drama is to know you will laugh, smile, and feel uncomfortable. while it has its light moments and great bromance, it’s a story of being in the army and the horrors one may face. the root of this story looks at the cultural aspect of compulsory enlistment but then examines what that means. what does being in the military do to a man? what makes a man?this story shows the extremes of toxic masculinity and how far anyone can be pushed. it’s a heavy watch. it goes from lighthearted to answering those questions some of us don’t have the answers to.
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Refreshing to see Jung Hae-in in a new light
I watched it all in a day, that's how good it was. Although some parts may have been exaggerated, it was great to get an insight into the Korean compulsory army service. Jung Hae-in's character was amazing, as were all the others, but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing him portray a different type of role to his usual characters. All the supporting characters were also really good. The drama portrayed how some people really do have no humanity left in them, and we as a society just have to accept that. Here's to hoping for a second season.Was this review helpful to you?
Thought provoking and heartwrenching critque on the military structure and cycle of power abuse
I've never written a review before, but D.P truly deserves oneInitially, I didn't think I'd be interested in this drama but I was proven wrong, if you're hesitant about watching this show don't be. I SWEAR I CAN'T RECOMMEND THE DRAMA MORE :)))
Plot
A insightful and thought-provoking drama that tackles many difficult themes such as social hierarchies within the military system, suicide, social class, abuse of power and sexual abuse I'm telling you when I finished I kind of felt empty but I wanted more, I felt so many different emotions whilst watching this drama but there wasn't a single moment were I felt bored.
Acting
I never knew Jung Hae-In could pull off such a different character, I'm so glas he took this role cause he did an amazing job. THE REST OF THE CAST FJGHS I LOVED THEM ALL idk what to say but let me just say the acting is impeccable
AND THE HUMOUR!!
OST
AHHHH I added every single song to my playlists, the songs chosen really fit the overall mood and are quite contrasting in a way. The intro song perfectly captures the atmosphere of this drama idk how to explain it but really all the songs involved in this production were brilliant
OVERALL PLEASE WATCH THIS SHOW :)))))))))
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An Oscar Worthy Production
It takes guts for a screenwriter, producer, director, and the actors to portray the truth, especially when the truth shows that life is ugly, and this piece of Korean life they are representing is ugly. However, for change to happen, the truth has to be told. I hope this small piece of truth will bring much needed change within the Korean military service. I equate this alongside true stories told in cinema like All the President's Men, Silkwood, Erin Brockovich, North Country, and Semper Fi: Always Faithful. It's a hard watch, but well worth it.Was this review helpful to you?
Excellent but Heartbreaking
Wow, this drama is intense. They do not flinch from portraying the brutality of mental and physical bullying in the South Korean military. It's based on a webtoon by Kim Bo Tong, who was a DP when he did his mandatory military service. It's only six episodes, and Jung Hae In and Koo Kyo Hwan were excellent as the DPs. Another phenomenal performance was given by Jo Hyun Chul (the brother of rapper Mad Clown), who played soldier Cho Seok Bong. Such a gut-wrenching, raw performance that had me reaching for the tissues. This drama and his character make me worry about the softer-hearted guys who have to serve, the ones who are not big and brawny and able to better protect themselves like a number of K-pop idols but also normal citizens who serve alongside them.Was this review helpful to you?
Short, but powerful
This is one of the most impactful dramas I’ve watched so far. I knew it would be a dark, brutal story going in, but damn, this is one dark, brutal story. The opening scene already gave me the shivers and D.P. held that tension throughout all six episodes.From the first deserter to the last the D.P.’s had to catch, they all had gripping, heartbreaking stories. There were some lighter moments, sure, some things that made you laugh aloud, but then you’re brought back to the horror of the situation of these men. You keep hoping for a happy ending, you keep hoping that the efforts of the characters will lead to change, even though by the beginning of the last episode you know there’s only one way this can end.
The acting was phenomenal, across the board. Jung Hae In portrayed the complicated, conflicted Ahn Joon Ho beautifully. At times you hate him for how stoic and passive he is, while later on you can’t help but love him when he tries so hard to do some good. As Han Ho Yul, Koo Kyo Hwan goes seamlessly from comic relief to emphatically, capably handling the challenges they come across.
As for the music, I honestly don’t remember any of it except the opening theme. It didn’t leave much of an impression, but didn’t distract me from the story either so that’s good.
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Drama that stirred dialogue and shed light to important issues
D.P. has managed to capture a great balance in portraying the battle of wrongdoing and righteousness of a dysfunctioning system. We peek at the cruelty of humanity and find the goodness of the human heart on the other side of it. D.P. has been one of the top 10 dramas of the year in South Korea, and for a reason. Even though the scenes are dramatized (a bit too much for my taste during the climax), the issues raised are very real and partly also based on the real-life events. The story also sheds light to the human's natural tendencies to build hierarchies, we vs. them mentality and to ostracize those who we deem different. Going against the current not only calls for strength and courage, but the right resources as well. Sometimes we find ourselves helpless against the greater forces. When we witness unkindness and unfairness, even cruelty, we can feel small and frightened in the front of it all. Quilt follows us for not noticing, not speaking, not acting.How much can one person do to change the system? How many victims are needed for someone to care enough to act?
From a society to the system, all the way to a one individual, D.P. looks at all the layers of our world. "What makes a monster and what makes a man?" is pondered throughout the 6 episodes. Is violent rage justified if you have been drove to it? Is abuse okay as long as no one intervenes?
D.P. tackles big issues skillfully, both those of more concrete and visible, to the deeper philosophical questions. The raw and beautiful cinematography greatly complements the themes and offers the cast a perfect stage for splendid performances. Humour is dark and witty, action is there when called for, and a pause on a perfect moment lets the message sink into the viewer's heart. Very graphic, dark and even brutal at times, it wants to shake the viewers from their utopias: sorrow, abuse, and cruelty exists in those nooks and corners we choose not to notice.
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Gritty Yet Captivating
Stories of bullying in the Korean Military are not unheard of yet we never truly know the full extent of this problem. This drama gives us a visual of just how bad that bullying is, and depicts it in a way that is so raw and real to the point where it can be disturbing or hard to watch.Every episode is intense and packed with a good balance of action, heart-wrenching moments, and comedy. I have to admit that I was not fully immersed until the third/fourth episode but that's not to say that the drama did not start out great. It did, however, the writing could be just a tad bit better (not sure if the webtoon writer is at fault or the drama writers). The drama just gets more captivating in the following episodes.
All the actors were phenomenal but Koo Kyo Hwan was definitely a scene-stealer. He deserves a special mention for providing that comic relief in this dark and heavy drama. He really was a breath of fresh air whenever a scene would get too intense.
I would imagine that this drama did a realistic portrayal of the dark side of the Korean Military as the original webtoon was based on the writer's real-life experience. This is not a drama that will let you breathe you a sigh of relief in the end. It stays true to its core - gritty and brutal. Overall, this is a thrilling series that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It may be short with only six episodes but it left me with lingering feelings and a heavy heart.
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It'll make you uncomfortable. Rightly so.
in actual shock because of d.p. it made me so uncomfortable, for all the right reasons. i want more of it, because of how honest and real it was... but i dont think i can see more of it, because of how honest and real it was. it made me feel so helpless. what a show.also, very out of character for me, but i really appreciated how all the background stories of our main characters were just hinted and never truly, fully explored. in most cases, i'd think of it as wasted potential. but here, i liked it. the little they gave us showed us why the characters were the way they were, and why they behaved in certain situations the way they did. but they never took the focus away from what the show was truly about - the reality of a broken, and violence-driven system.
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A Darker Role For Jung Hae In Ends In Success
I waited for this drama, excited for a new role for Jung Hae In, a darker role that isn't his usual melancholic nice guy that he is already so good at. Jung Hae In's acting in D.P. was superb and I'm so proud of him for challenging himself, I hope he keeps it up. Everyone else's acting was really something as well, they all really immersed you into the drama and it all felt so really. The topics that it dealt with are really important and can be sensitive to others so be careful before you watch it. It's obvious things like this have happened before and I'd bet they are still happening which upsets me, hopefully the drama will bring light to it. Every episode is very watchable and despite the bullying you actually find yourself enjoying it and can't wait to move onto the next episode. There are comedic moments that are a breathe of fresh air during the serious scenes. I really recommend you watch it because it's impressive and informative.Was this review helpful to you?
Warning: Don’t watch this if you’re depressed!
Kim Bo Tong, writer of D.P. was quoted as saying: “DP was created to fight the oblivious notion that the military is better now. I wish to help those fighting in the dark. I hope to make a better tomorrow for someone who might be crying alone even at this time.” What a praiseworthy and noble objective! I sincerely hope that the miniseries gets to achieve writer Bo Tong’s aspirations.It is an action packed 6 episodes laden with heavy scenes that are shocking to see and difficult to digest if you are the overly sensitive and emotional type. Apparently, this is the grim reality that pervades the life of unfortunate junior personnel in the South Korean military, hence the deserters or runaways, and consequently, the need for DPs - those tasked to pursue and bring the deserters back to the barracks. The show resembles a social commentary on how a strict hierarchical society perpetuates and tolerates abuses then hides cowardly under the guise that it is intrinsically part of their culture’s DNA. It is what it is. Take it or leave it.
I appreciate how this show is raw, dark and honest as opposed to glossy, fanciful and pretentious. Director Han Jun Hee was not ashamed to show the dirty surroundings and the faulty system. He did not hesitate to show imperfections down to the minutest details such as the actors’ blemished complexion and rough skin texture.
The unlikely duo of an intensely serious Jung Hae In and an extremely goofy Koo Kyo Hwan was a match made in comedic heaven. Their solid partnership and suspenseful exploits were the victorious part of the story. What amazed me about their acting was how natural and spontaneous they delivered their lines as if there was no script to follow nor any cameras rolling in front of them.
My “D.P.” review in one sentence: Prolific acting, casting, directing, screenplay, production design and cinematography showcased in 6 episodes.
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