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.