sohxys97
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.
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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