I think this drama sheds light on the broken military system in Korea and is a good watch.
I’m a pretty big Jung Hae In fan, ever since watching him in Goblin (yeah, he had a very small part but still, he made an impression) so every time that I see he’s coming out in something new, I put it on my to be watched list because why not? Now, some of his shows pissed me off but mostly it was the hot and cold act of his female lead I’m happy to report that even though this show pissed me off plenty, I still rather enjoyed the show as a whole.This show follows Ahn Joon Ho, a young man who reports for his mandatory military enlistment and finds a whole lot of dickhead bullies. The more senior military members hella bully their juniors and the bullying leads to a lot of guys deserting their posts. Ahn Joon Ho keeps to himself a lot but when he’s recruited to work for the military defector arrest team, being alone isn’t an option anymore because my guy gets himself a partner. His partner was a delight in the midst of so much darkness and I hella loved their pairing.
This wasn’t an easy show to watch by any means. It’s a heavy watch that doesn’t stop being heavy throughout the entirety of the show. On the upside, the show is only 6 episodes so you’ll breeze right through each episode and there’s enough packed into each episode to make the viewing worth the heaviness. There was also a lot of humor sprinkled into each episode to ease the heaviness some. I laughed a lot, and I also teared up at some of the stories of the defected soldiers. There were times when I got so angry at what was happening and at the folks causing so much trouble in these poor guys’ lives but never did I want to stop watching.
The acting is pretty fantastic throughout. Each actor gave what they were supposed to give and I appreciated their efforts because I was glued to my seat through each episode. I believed everything that was showcased so the bad guys did a great job of making me want to kick each and every one of them in the balls and the good guys did a fantastic job of making me cheer for them. The ending was a little too open-ended for me but that didn’t detract from my viewing experience too much. I definitely recommend this show if you’re looking for a kdrama with a meatier story. I think this drama sheds light on the broken military system in Korea and is a good watch. It doesn’t hurt that you’ve got some eye candy in Jung Hae In and some other swoony actors so yeah, give this one a go.
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a stark, one note exploration of the dark side of the miliary
dang it started off with a bang bro (that NAIL?)alsooooo the military police trash they need a better protocol
it shocks me how often they resort to using their fists lol a glaringly obvious excuse to have fight action choreo (like a multitude of situations could have simply been resolved if they had used their words rather than their fists. the dude (ajh) crashed into the police and let the victim escape, like couldnt he communnicate
mb i didnt understand some shit since im sleep deprived, but i feel like some themes could have been explored better, developed better. For example, an joon hos relationship with his mom randomly got resolved for some reason, which is hella confusing. I don't get why he suddenly forgave his mom for not escaping his dad....
i have no qualms with the unhappy ending, reflective of reality where justice is rarely achieved (i think I'm cynical lol)
the ending of him literally breaking away and defying authority was a bit on the nose, if they wanted to show him literally breaking away from the military ideals/environment, which led to him to be a bystander.
some arcs felt so abrupt (that girl and her abusive bf? hello)
- I'm trying to think of the significance of that arc (her last parting words, don't pity too much. Perhaps it's a commentary on how people who are soft hearted in this world/military get screwed over)
- sometimes, it felt like suffering for the sake of suffering...or mb that was the purpose: just trying to shock its viewers into the idea that damn, the military be dark
- i think the issue is I felt like it was heavy handed. Lacked nuance? because this thing is basically exclaiming, MILITARY ACTUALLY BAD, in large caps, which is valid i guess (if it's a new concept...).
- it sort of got ridiculous at the end, i never really got a feel for the main characters i think. They were a little bit underdeveloped.
interesting:
- suffering begets suffering, bullying begets bullying ( basically everyone bullies each other)
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Good Enough
Korean Drama "D.P." is an intense drama that takes its strength from the reality that it presents.The drama follows the main character as he discovers along with the viewer the small cases that build up to the final one. That main character is presented more like a blank canvas, with few clues of who he is and what sets him apart from the rest. He is probably there to be the eyes and ears of the viewer and even his decisions are closer to the ones everyone would have opted to.
The other characters were more colorful and dominated the scenes in a more powerful way. Nevertheless, the actual story was pretty intense and emotional, being tragic because it felt and probably is close to reality.
Finally, the performances were all great and walked side long with a great script and well paced story.
So, overall, 8 out of 10.
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Tragic-comedy
DP is a short drama series which covers life of a newly enlisted recruit in the Korean army. This show starts off at a slow pace but picks up from the second episode. It sets off the tone right in the beginning, you as a viewer are sure to expect something somber with a bit of humour ingrained. I think my favourite episodes would be second and third. The latter episodes got a little bit too dark for my liking. It was very sad that one nice character was ruined by bullying so much that there’s a monumental shift in his personality. It was a sad ending. Each episode deals with what kind of mindset a recruit might be in to take the decision that they do. Since it’s a short watch, you can binge it at a go or watch at your pace.Was this review helpful to you?
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BRUTAL...
Acabo de terminar esta primera temporada y es que algo super fascinada y ensimismada por estos dos últimos capítulos.Cuenta con un elenco espectacular: Jung Hae-in haz un gran papel. Espero y deseo saber más de su personaje en la segunda temporada. Tengo que admitir que salgo enamorada de la actuación y es lo que me motivaba seguir viendo la serie entre tanta violencia la actuación y el personaje en si interpretado por Koo Kyo Hwan.
Me repetido pero un elenco espectacular. (cada vez que veía a Shin Seung-ho y su personaje odioso, yo solo podía ver su amor platónico con su tortuga en Alchemy of Souls). (Grata sorpresa haber visto a Bae Yooram y a Lee Jun-young).
Las historias son super duras pero sinceramente no me extrañaría que pasase eso en la realidad dentro del servicio militar. Esa jerarquía que he visto tanto en dramas y en la vida real, me pone enferma. Por muy mayor que seas no te voy a respetar si eres un maleducada o abusas de mí o me menosprecias....
El día en que Corea deje de endiosar a sus mayores podrá reducir su índice suicidios.
Me parece fascinante comenzar un suicidio y terminar la temporada con un suicidio, un círculo perfecto.
El último comentario, se agradece que sean poco capítulos y no de duración muy extensa.
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A brave portrayal of what really goes on
Whilst I hope the different story lines in this drama are fictional, it is scary to contemplate what really goes on in a closed culture where seniority rules.Beautifully told and acted I struggled with what many young men have to go through in South Korea with no choice. I think I understand why military service is compulsory, and it is a very different place to live in than where I am from, but it must be just so hard.
The 2 main characters were amazing and I’m looking forward to season 2 very much.
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Not a single minute of boredom
I didn't gather any information if the problems or bullying within the korean army are as severe as displayed here, but I guess incidents like these will happen in any order-and-command structure with men trying to be superior of others and dealing with the power struggle. In the end drill in an army is about to give up your own willpower in subordiantion to follow what your leaders want you to do and so the shit begins to happen in one way or another.The two ML were perfectly chosen for their part in the drama. You get the funny one, you get the more silent one, carrying their own history within life and the army along. Also the other army fellows and leaders fit very good, all acting quite flawless. A thriller and suspense story at the highest korean drama/cinematic level. It's something the Koreans are best since decades. Any minute worth to watch. You'll binge it once you start and as it's only 6 episodes...
One could argue there are some of your usual cliche bad and good guys but if it promotes the message here I can live with that. It's very interesting and diverse to get to know the different reasons and background of the deserters. Hopefully they keep the high standard in the second season as it's not often I would call out for another seasons for dramas in general.
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I feel i was fooled.
I'm sorry but i didn't really like it.My expectations were too high,but i couldn't follow all the hype.I gave half star to pass my average rate only because of the great acting.
Production and music were good too.
D.P. depicts the reality in Korean army.The same reality exists in every country.
I thought DP is more on the dark psychological side.I thought it was a bold Drama to show the ugliness and the cruelty.
So i prepared myself for a very heavy watch.And damn i was so much disappointed.Because it only scratched the surface presenting all the issues in a very light way.Stories felt rather flat and common.As for the characters-main and side-nothing extraordinary.I was expecting to watch troubled souls dealing with their own demons.I wanted to see evil bad guys causing real pain and ofc i wanted to see the healing process too.(i was expecting something similar to Military Prosecutor Doberman,concerning the evil chars there)
In my family/friends circle every male can talk about his military life for hours.I have heard so many stories i feel like i served myself!
So nothing really shocked me here.I couldn't connect with the characters,they failed to pull me deep in their stories.
I guess is my mistake because i thought it was darker and heavier.
Only the last episode had a kind of intense but still wasn't enough.
Tomorrow i will start S2 but honestly i don't expect much.
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Best of 2021
Wow, I finished this when it first came out but I couldn't put my thoughts into words; I just kept thinking about it.Such a gritty and real show, so disturbing at times (the last scene had me sick for a while, and I'm usually alright with violence). So many times I had to close my eyes or look away, it really became so painfully real. The cast was phenomenal, which probably made it even more heart-wrenching because all their experiences felt so real. But, I have to mention Jung Haein. Wow. I've always loved his roles, acting, and his choice in projects but I feel like he outdid himself here. A character like Junho, so reserved and stoic yet, you could always see an unbridled anger underneath him, like it would erupt any moment. There are no sappy overdone emotional backstories, yet short but impactful glimpses of what Junho has experienced and what he is experiencing. His brief smiles and slow warming up to Hoyeol was so genuine, definitely one of my favourite duos ever. Koo Kyo‑hwan as Han Hoyeol was amazing as well,; a charismatic and eccentric character, yet would absolutely kill those emotional scenes. There is not one weak member of the cast: from the bullies, the victims, to the superiors, everyone nailed their roles.
The story itself was amazing, the opening credits really setting the question meant to explore in DP: if we all seem to have these human emotions, these universal experiences of growing up, why are we so cruel to one another? Why do we turn the blind eye to one another? The descending of Jo Sukbong into madness was so gradual yet so understandable, by the last episode it was shocking that it was the same person we had seen in the beginning.
Overall, I have nothing but praise. A difficult, yet rewarding watch. One of the best of 2021, if not the best.
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Dark but well worth the time to watch.
I have to say this was a very dark show. I have seen the trailer and I had no idea what it was really about.I gave it a re-watch value of 9 because it is so hard to watch at the end, but it was a great show. If they did another season I would go back and watch this one to remember.
I do however find myself hoping they continue with it. I did not realize it was only 6 episodes. I had figured we would see his entire military career.
A bit of a spoiler so do not read if you have not seen it. I am not giving details but if you have read other reviews you will understand what I am talking about.
I am glad I watched it but I will admit the last episode is really heart wrenching. You can feel the pain that Jun Ho is feeling, it tore at my heart to hear his pain, for that I give the director/writer and of course the actor 10 stars for that one scene alone.
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Undoubtedly one of the most powerful plays I've watched in a long time!
I don't write reviews very often because it's difficult to find the time/passion nowadays! But when a series or movie manages to astound me to the point that I genuinely WANT to scream about how much I appreciate it, it's difficult to avoid writing about it just in case someone else is wondering if this drama is for them.Although 6 episodes are the right amount for the plot, I find myself wanting more, especially after fully appreciating the pair relationship between both major protagonists as well as their many antics. Personally, I may hope for a spin-off or a second season, but even if that doesn't happen, I am grateful to have discovered such a well-written masterpiece, which I hope many other people will like!
Ultimately, an enjoyable show with a solid plot and excellent performances. Just be ready to be furious.
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“I should at least do something”
D.P. is one of the most frustrating, heart wrenching, and hilarious dramas I have ever seen. I was aware that abuse runs rampant, especially in the military, but I was not aware just how deep it runs. I was utterly disgusted with the system of violence that is held in place by the systematic oppression that exists. D.P. follows Ah Joon Ho, a new recruit to the military. Right from the start the audience is aware that abuse is normalized. Sometimes it is often rewarded. Joon Ho, like his comrades, is physical, emotionally, and psychologically abuse. But due to his attention to detail and quick thinking, he is recruited to work as the D.P. team (aka Deserter Pursuit). They are tasked with capturing deserters from the army. Although this drama does deal with heavy topics (such as suicide, abuse, sexual and assault) it manages to still be quite hilarious. It's very difficult to switch tone in dramas but D.P. handles it wonderfully. This is mainly because of Joon Ho's partner—Ho Yeol. Ho Yeol was introduced as this eccentric, weird, yet determined individual who is often in his own little world. He serves as a huge contrast to Joon Ho, who is riddled with grief and closed off. Slowly but surely, as the D.P. duo complete their missions the two guys form a close bond.They played off of each other incredibly well—it didn't matter if it was a comedic or serious scene. The story of the D.P. duo is nowhere close to being finishing. These first six episodes were just setting everything up, which means in the next season we can hopefully dive into their backstory.
I don't want to give away any major spoilers though so I'm not going any deeper into the plot. The pacing was slow but it works with this kind of drama. Six episodes meant that things were not draggy, which I appreciated. Every scene had its purpose. The acting was phenomenal—from everyone—and it evoked so many emotions from me. Likewise the cinematography and OST matched the gritty-yet-comedic vibe of this drama. I cannot wait for the second season! This is hands down if only one of the best dramas of 2021 but it's also one of the best Netflix original dramas to date.
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