D.P. 2 (2023)

September 24, 2023

Our Take: A deeply unsettling look at the South Korean military system.

Season 2 of D.P. picks up a few days after the events that unfolded at the end of Season 1. D.P. (Deserter Pursuit) officers Ahn Joon Ho (Jung Hae In) and Han Ho Yul (Koo Kyo Hwan) are still in shock from watching their fellow soldier Cho Suk Bong (Jo Hyun Chul) kidnap his superior Hwang Jang Soo (Shin Seung Ho) and attempt to commit suicide after getting caught.

Following this horrific and traumatizing incident, scrutiny over the military and its processes is growing stronger. The public is pushing for more accountability and protection for their soldiers. To hide the deeply-rooted problems within the system, the military leaders act quickly to reclaim the narrative and position themselves in a more positive light. Their weapon of choice is to spread misinformation about Suk Bong being mentally unstable to deflect blame. 

In the aftermath, Ho Yul is cooped up in the hospital and unable to talk, suffering from acute PTSD. Jun Ho is still serving his post but is growing increasingly disillusioned with the military. Despite promising Suk Bong that things will be different, the institutional changes he wants to bring are not as easy to implement as he'd like. 

Around this time, another disastrous event occurs. Suk Bong's close friend Kim Ru Ri (Moon Sang Hoon) breaks down after frequently getting bullied and opens fire on the other soldiers. In the aftermath, 8 soldiers get wounded and 2 are killed. Lieutenant Colonel Seo Eun (Kim Ji Hyun) is tasked with damage control and getting rid of Ru Ri. However, her husband and Lieutenant General Im Ji Sup (Son Suk Ku) fight tooth and nail to save Ru Ri's life, along with Jun Ho and Ho Yul's superior Park Bum Goo (Kim Sung Kyun).

South Korean law mandates that every male citizen must serve in the army for at least 2 years before turning 30. Thus, many soldiers join the military solely to complete their mandatory service. Though serving in the military is not meant to be easy, at a minimum, the soldiers deserve a basic level of respect and care for serving their country. Yet, hazing and abuses of power are prevalent. 

This second season sheds light on how large, established organizations, like the military, reflect the flaws of human nature, allowing abuse and corruption to run rampant. Though individual soldiers perpetuate the cycle of bullying and victimization, the system enables them to do so without repercussions. 

All the individual stories make you feel uncomfortable and question the military's duty towards its soldiers. Among the various stories, Jang Seong Min's (Bae Na Ra) was especially heartbreaking and left a lasting impression. After discovering his passion for theater and playing female roles in high school, he became known as Nina. But, after joining the military, he gets excessively bullied for this and ends up deserting his post. On the run for years, he lives a difficult life and makes money to support himself by performing as Nina at clubs. Just as he's about to get the opportunity of a lifetime, Joon Ho and Ho Yul come for him, leading to a devastating but preventable tragedy. 

All the main characters undergo significant growth and development this season as they try to carry out their duties. Joon Ho still brings the same resolve when he tracks down deserters, but his anger and guilt are starting to consume him. He can no longer sit back and watch while his colleagues face injustices. Instead, he stands his ground and tries to make things right in his own way. 

Like Joon Ho, Ho Yul's become more sensitive to what's going on around him. He still has a comedic side, but he's not the same person he used to be. His strong sense of duty and brotherhood leads him to delay his military discharge to protect Joon Ho and attempt to save as many people as possible.

Captain Im Ji Sup transitions from being a gray character with questionable morale to a leader who goes out of his way to take care of his people. Together with Seo Eun and Bum Goo, they work together to expose the brutal realities of the military and prevent more tragedies from happening to others. 

Our Verdict

D.P. 2 doesn't disappoint. The overarching story is beautifully told and exceeds its predecessor in terms of impact and messaging. Each story is intricately woven into the plot, and you can feel each of the soldiers' pain and anguish. While the D.P. team is not perfect, they do their best to change the system and learn from their past mistakes. They can't save everyone, but at least they are making progress and will fight to the bitter end to change the system.