This review may contain spoilers
Deeply Powerful
Wow. Before this drama came along, I had trouble finding a drama to hold my interest, for so many suffered from problems I'm no more willing to tolerate (makjang, bad romance, overlong episodes, overlong season). However, D.P. is a perfection. At only 6 well-paced reasonably long episodes, I binged the whole drama in a day thanks to captivating, heart-pounding story that balances action with drama and some comedy, realism and great acting. The previews didn't do this any justice for they made it look like a buddy cop comedy, and while there's a great bromance with levity, the story is actually an unflinching look at bullying in the military that will make you positively disturbed.I've seen speculation that this could get another season because of how it ended. However, while they could build from the ending, I thought it was well contained and that "ambiguity" was just symbolic. SPOILER I took it that the hero is running away from his mates because he symbolically doesn't want to be the part of the bullying and bullying cover-up cycle rather than that he actually deserted. After seeing that desertion didn't pay off nor change the system, it wouldn't make sense if he did. Moreover, we know that he saved the last deserter when he attempted to shoot himself cause TV host said he was in the hospital. And the "fatty" friend shooting his rifle was a warning shot cause you could see that he didn't aim at the side where other soldiers were gathering. So all of it is symbolic, like standing up.
Highly recommended.
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Fluent in F Bombs
Don't let the short amount of eps fool you... this is binge watching gold! I was born in a military community and yeah half the corpse is just pricks. As we all know, it is mandatory for South Korean men to enlist, but we don't know the mental and physical abuse that goes on. Just like at school where everyone knows but no one does anything, this series highlights the darkness that is the military. I like when shows tell a different story with each episode and D.P. is no exception. Everything is tied together with plenty of bloody punches, heart wrenching moments and spunky comedy. There's enough action to satisfy even the most intense adrenalin junkie. There's also quite a few well known actors in this.The ending had me a little lost but I think it's kinda an open ending BUT WAIT...
*hint: after the credits is another ending...much more brutal and sadly convincing of reality.
Enjoy...
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Gritty and dark with bits of humor. Only 6 eps
Wow! Gritty, dark, funny, and foul....this short 6 ep drama sure packs an emotional punch! Inspired by Kim Bo tong's own experience of some cases in the D.P unit, this drama sheds light on the awful bullying and hazing that can occur in the military.I thought the director did a fantastic job balancing the tone between heavy vs funny and keeping the pace tight. I didn't have to skip any scene. And the cast did an amazing job making their characters realistic. Jung Hae In delivered the right amount of good, dark, and toughness to his character. Koo Kyo Hwan continues to delight me with his unique color and flair that he brings to all his characters. His comic timing is spot on! The supporting cast also were all so believable in their roles.
While the bromance between Hae In and Kyo Hwan is fun to watch, the subject matter is very heavy and disturbing. They don't hold back on the violence, cursing, and trauma shown, but that's what I really liked about this drama. It's refreshing to see something so raw. It makes this drama more impactful by sending a clear message to the military. Changes need to be made. Hopefully Netflix will greenlight season 2 as I read the production team hasn't finished telling all their stories.
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Act No. 9754 Article 15 Your country needs you
D.P. is a drama that mixes frustration and entertainment. Drama in the aspect of frustration is very effective at making you feel that way.From my perspective as an Army veteran, I can speak for how things were for me and my comrades. I realize this is a TV series, not a documentary, but something tells me things are or were like this for some Korean soldiers or airmen. The reality is that no agency or organization is 100% flawless. In fact, the United States has its fair share of military scandals too.
The two main lead soldiers (Han Yul and Ahn Ho) in a special unit are responsible for seeking and recovering deserters. We soon learn that even in the special task force there is bullying, belittlement, and outright assault. Each "deserter" has their own motive. Some I completely get it, others really were just copping out. But the majority of the backstories were controversial.
Throughout the series, the actors conveyed powerful emotions. The main leads were more than hunters. I saw them as investigators with compassion. Despite this, upper management pressure resulted in investigations and recovery, which were like a competition between groups.
Most of my personal frustration occurred where deserters were obviously wronged and pushed to their limits without help or support. Leaving was survival. This isn't your average Kdrama. This topic may not be discussed or monitored proactively very often. Throughout the series, we are introduced to a variety of situations involving deserters, often causing the leads to reach their limits.
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This review may contain spoilers
D.P. (Season One), directed by Han Jun-hee and based on the webtoon D.P: Dog Days by Kim Bo-tong, is a standout K-drama that explores the tough world of South Korea's mandatory military service. The series follows Private An Joon-Ho (Jung Hae-In), a quiet and observant soldier recruited into the D.P. team tasked with capturing military deserters. With a keen eye for detail and an empathetic heart, Joon-Ho navigates the grim realities of military life, mixed with moments of normalcy and camaraderie. The show presents a raw and unflinching look at the toxic masculinity and systemic abuse in the military, making it a powerful and impactful drama.Mandatory military service is a big part of South Korean society, with all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 required to serve for about 18 to 21 months. D.P. stands out for its fearless exploration of toxic masculinity and systemic abuse within the military, issues that have long troubled the South Korean armed forces. The series does not shy away from showing the brutal hazing, bullying, and dehumanizing practices that are too common in military life.
"Just because we don’t see it with our own eyes (or have it happen to us) does not mean these incidents are not real."
The show's creator, Kim Bo-tang, uses the military to reflect broader societal issues. The fear and violence in the barracks mirror the toxic hierarchies and power dynamics that exist in many areas of life. Joon-Ho's empathy and moral conflict serve as a counterpoint to the pervasive brutality, highlighting the human cost of such a system. The harsh conditions and abusive environment in the military have led to significant mental health issues among conscripts, with anxiety, depression, and PTSD being common among those who have faced severe bullying and hazing.
Han Jun-hee's direction is compelling, capturing the stark contrast between the rigid, oppressive environment of the military and the fleeting moments of freedom outside the base. The cinematography effectively shows the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere of the barracks, while the scenes outside offer a brief respite, highlighting the characters' longing for normalcy.
"I should at least do something."
While D.P. excels in its thematic exploration and character dynamics, it does suffer from some issues. The main characters, particularly Joon-Ho, Park Beom-Goo, and Han Ho-Yeol, could be developed more. Their backstories and motivations are hinted at but not fully explored, leaving some aspects of their characters unclear. Additionally, the series' climax veers into melodramatic territory, which can feel out of place compared to the grounded nature of the earlier episodes. The series features many comedic elements to add some levity to the serious subject matter, but this often comes at the cost of spending time on more meaningful points that could add more weight to the series.
Another significant issue is the procedural format of the series, which is its biggest downfall. Many elements of the first season don't go anywhere, are underdeveloped, or are completely forgotten about and unresolved. The procedural structure makes many scenes within the first four episodes feel meaningless. This format detracts from the overall impact and coherence of the series, making it feel disjointed at times.
Despite these shortcomings, D.P. is a compelling and emotionally resonant series that sheds light on the harsh realities of mandatory military service. The depiction of bullying and abuse resonated with many veterans, making it a domestic phenomenon.
D.P. is a powerful and thought-provoking series that deserves recognition for its bold storytelling and unflinching portrayal of systemic abuse. It humanizes its characters while critiquing the toxic structures they navigate, offering a poignant commentary on fear, masculinity, and power. D.P. stands as a significant work in the K-drama landscape, deserving of a wider audience and deeper appreciation. The series' commitment to highlighting important issues within the military, such as the real-world phenomena of desertion and the struggles soldiers face, makes it not only a compelling drama but also a crucial conversation starter about the urgent need for reform.
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Absolutely incredible.
I was not expecting to love this series as much as I did. I find it difficult to keep watching when a show has loads of episodes that average over an hour per episode so when I saw that this only had 6 that were less than an hour I thought I’d give it a shot. This show has absolutely everything in my opinion: it looks at serious issues and handles them amazingly but also has the perfect amount of funny and wholesome moments. The characters are great and super interesting, I especially love the lead duo of Jun Ho and Ho Yeol. I really think I felt every emotion possible when watching this, I laughed, cried, felt angry and scared etc. D.P. has definitely become one of my new favourite shows, if not my favourite. I can’t recommend it enough and I’m super excited for the next season.Was this review helpful to you?
What a shame this got overshadowed by Squid Game
I think the whole concept for this drama was extremely interesting and unique to the k-drama scene. Instead of the typical soldiers that we see in blockbuster dramas like DOTS and CLOY, D.P. was based on an entirely different unit, one that isn't really depicted in dramas and movies all over the world.This drama also had a good message and shed light on important issues that may or may not have been ongoing in South Korea's military. The OSTs weren't exactly memorable. I'm not sure if there were even any OSTs, but the background music that played during certain scenes throughout the drama were aptly placed.
I enjoyed the dynamics and chemistry among the three main characters. There was also a good balance between the two leads in terms of their characters' personalities and I felt that they complemented each other very well.
If I had to nitpick, the plot fillers eventually did get a bit repetitive, but I guess that's just because of the nature of the drama. I still enjoyed this thoroughly. It's a shame that this came out slightly before Squid Game and was completely overshadowed by it (not to discredit Squid Game).
In summary:
What i liked - cast chemistry, Jung Hae-in, plot, cameos
What i disliked - N.A.
Star of the show: An Jun-ho, played by Jung Hae-in
Rating: 8/10
Watch if you want to watch an unconventional style/genre of k-drama, or if you like Jung Hae-in
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A perfect poignat yet grim story
This was just fucking amazing through and through. I initially watched this because it won Best Drama in Baeksang, and it has Jung Hae In in it so I was intrigued and what I got was a poignant yet dark grim sad story showcasing the broken military system in South Korea. I can't even count the amount of frustration and anger when I was watching the abuse and mistreatment especially to Suk Bong. It perfectly showed how the Military System is broken and such, and the story was well portrayed without being too complicated and muddled. Thankfully, the show also has slight comedic and light moment because of Han Ho Yeol played fantastically by Koo Kyo Hwan. Jung Hae In was fucking amazing especially in Episode 6 the scream was so painful but the star of the show is Jo Hyun Chul as Cho Suk Bong, he gave it all in this performance. It was so heartbreaking to see probably the most kindest character in the whole show slowly descent into madness after being mistreated several times. The ending was good, it gave us opportunities for the second season and the fucking post credit scene in the last episode was shocking. Overall, a masterful korean drama with a great story, delivering a dark grim message and perfect performances from the ensemble cast. I rarely give 10, but this drama deserves it and I hope the second seasons holds up to it's predecessor.Was this review helpful to you?
Grim story + high production quality + strong talent
I will admit to queuing this up solely on the basis of wanting to see Jung Hai In be something other than the best boyfriend, ever. He does not disappoint, inhabiting a soldier who is both highly intelligent and somewhat naive. This is a trauma-fest, and if you have trouble watching shows that feature bullying, sexual abuse, physical violence, etc, then I would skip it. But the terrible scenes are necessary to underscore the terrible situation in S Korea's military. There are plenty of news stories, if you want to google check the show's writers.The first 4 episodes are 9-10s. No spoilers, but it gets a little wild at the end, with the last two eps being more like 7.5-8 in my opinion. The stories of the deserters are all gut-wrenching, but the show is produced so well it is hard to look away.
I'm looking forward to a second season.
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Masterpiece Drama
As Military Enlistment is talked about quite often, especially with the news that X actor is enlisting. It all seems like a very heroic job but this drama shows the realities faced by those in the military.Military practices are years old and the drama definitely pointed out that change is difficult. Quite a sad ending to the drama, it felt quite light at the beginning but as the story progress it took a dark turn.
I think the screenwriting, acting, cinematography. The drama portrays emotions beautifully within each arc. The message this drama left is very powerful and I hope this makes a difference in the places where there are issues in Korea.
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Gripping and intense
I finally found the time to watch the show, and wow. This was intense but so good! It's only six episodes, so it can be watched in one go, or at least very quickly, but the subject matter is heavy and it stays on your mind for a while. The acting performances were astounding, especially Koo Kyo Hwan and Jo Hyun Chul impressed me a LOT. This show shows how harsh and abusive the Korean military is (can be), how normalized bullying, harassment and physical/emotional abuse is, and how everyone takes advantage of their superiority in rank. Hierarchy always played a big part in why the system didn't get broken and the victims kept on suffering. The last 10 minutes really got to me... I was thinking "Either Seok Bong will get killed, or he will commit suicide", and the latter happened. Maybe shows like "The Glory" have already portrayed gruesome abuse and bullying cases that what was shown in "D.P." didn't shock me too much, but the scene when Seok Bong was surrounded by the SDT really made me shed some tears. Because in the end, the military will just bury his death and make him the problem and culprit to save face. Overall, the show is gripping and intense, but I really liked it. Buuut I will watch something lighthearted before starting season 2, but I am excited to see what challenged Jun Ho and Ho Yul will face together. I quite liked the trio of the two soldiers with Bum Goo, an unlikely group of guys.Was this review helpful to you?
must watch
I love everythig about D.P, from the story idea to the cast to the OST. It's very interesting and I like the different small stories of those deserted soldiers and how Ahn Joon Ho and Han Ho Yul are on their missions trying to track down those soldiers.It's a mixture of seriousness, suspense and maybe a bit of sadness.
The vibes are really great overall. I haven't payed too much attention to the OST soundtrack while watching, but I started listen to the OST afterwards and I love the songs.
And I absolutely adore the cast members!! Can't wait for the second season!!
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