D.P. (2021)

July 9, 2023

Our Take: An honest examination of the underlying problems in the South Korean military that drive soldiers to their breaking points.

Set in 2014, D.P. tells the story of a team of South Korean soldiers tasked with tracking down military deserters. D.P., which stands for "Deserter Pursuit," is a real-life branch of the army's military police. The show centers around Private Soldier Ahn Jun Ho (Jung Hae In) and Corporal Han Ho Yeol (Koo Kyo Hwan), who are appointed as D.P. officers and partners, working together to capture soldiers who abandoned their posts.

Jun Ho is a quiet and calm young man serving his mandatory military service. His tenacity and observation skills capture the attention of Sergeant Park Bum Goo (Kim Sung Kyun), the D.P. department's section chief. Bum Goo transfers Jun Ho to the D.P. team to work alongside Ho Yeol, a seasoned soldier with keen investigative skills. While Bum Goo frequently yells at Jun Ho and Ho Yeol, he also takes good care of them. Meanwhile, Captain Im Ji Sup (Son Seok Koo) gets transferred to the base as a trainer. He does not care for the D.P. team and single-mindedly focuses on his own success in the military.  

According to Article 3 of South Korea's Military Service Act, all men between the ages of 18 to 35 must serve in the military. In many stories, military enlistment gets romanticized and downplayed, seen as a rite of passage. However, D.P. presents a stark contrast to these rosier stories and takes an anti-romantic approach, showcasing the darker truths of the military. 

D.P. does not shy away from the military's history of hazing, toxic masculinity, sexual harassment, rigid hierarchy, and humiliation, among other issues. The "survival of the fittest" mindset keeps those presumed to be "weak" at the bottom, while the stronger superiors and compatriots enforce a self-perpetuating cycle of abuse and indifference. The rampant bullying, group mentality, and violence create an intense sense of hopelessness that weighs on you. 

However, not everything is black and white. Gray areas, such as bystanders and how the military system operates, lead to these raw and emotional moments that help you truly empathize with and feel anger for the soldiers who run away. In this toxic system, human rights do not exist. Only those who are powerful can have the last word. 

As the episodes progress, the gradual mental and physical deterioration of people forced to survive in this environment become clearer. The bullying and harassment pile on top of each other until the victims break down from the weight of the psychological and physical trauma that slowly engulfed them.

While there are good people, portrayed primarily by Jun Ho and Ho Yeol, who try to better the system, they eventually realize just how little power they have and how they are part of the problem too. Still, the small cracks in the system give a glimmer of hope that things may be able to change eventually. 

Everyone in the cast excels in their roles, helping to make the story stand out and come to life. Ahn Jun Ho seems like a typical guy at first, but we learn that he is a troubled and flawed youth from a dysfunctional family. He had his fair share of troubles before enlisting in the army and becoming a D.P. officer. But, with each case, he becomes more morally conflicted and disillusioned with himself, his family, and the military he serves. While Jun Ho is intelligent, he is imperfect and prone to making the wrong choices.

Balancing Jun Ho's soft-hearted nature is Han Ho Yeol, who breaks the tension and provides light humor and warmth to the show without being disrespectful. He is eccentric but a good D.P. officer who naturally offsets the darker and more tragic moments.

As the duo tracks down and brings back soldiers who ran away, the stories of these soldiers take center stage. We learn about their backgrounds and what led them to run away. We see their pain and struggles to live their best life in a system that legalizes abuse and violence. 

In particular, one of the cases is based on the 2014 case of a soldier who went on a shooting spree, killing five of his colleagues and injuring seven more. According to investigations, the recruit had trouble adapting to military life. This incident reignited debates about the rampant bullying and mental health problems in the military, prompting a public outcry. 

Final Thoughts

D.P. is an eye-opening and gut-wrenching look at the horrifying nature of the military system. From the cinematography to the color palette to the cast, every scene is intentional and well-executed, leading to a shocking but gripping finale. While there is no happy ending, the progression of events that transpire leads you to wonder what to do with the information you know now.