D.P. Season 1 Review: A Hard-Hitting Military Drama You Can’t Ignore

Title: D.P. Season 1

Episodes: 6

Genre: Action, Military drama

Main Cast: Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, Son Suk-ku 

Streaming Platforms: Netflix 

Image Credit: IMDb

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Have you ever watched a drama that feels painfully real yet impossible to look away from? D.P. Season 1 does exactly that. With Jung Hae-in leading a unit tasked with catching military deserters, the series exposes the emotional wounds, systemic bullying, and moral conflicts within Korea’s mandatory service. It’s raw, intense, and deeply human, making every episode hit straight to the heart. 

“D.P. Season 1” is a South Korean television series released on Netflix on August 27, 2021. Directed by Han Jun-hee and written by Kim Bo-tong and Han Jun-hee, this military drama is available to watch on Netflix. 

Plot Summary 

Ahn Jun-ho is a quiet and hard-working man who comes from a middle-class family. After enlisting in mandatory military service, this ordinary young man turns into Private Ahn Jun-ho. 

Sergeant first-class Park Beom-gu notices Jun-ho's tenacity and observant nature and offers him to join the D.P.(Deserter Pursuit) team. Team D.P. is responsible for bringing back the soldiers who went AWOL. 

Jun-ho begins his first mission with Park Sung-woo, who is temporarily filling in for an injured soldier. Due to Sung-woo's irresponsibility and Jun-ho's negligence, they fail to apprehend the deserter before he commits suicide. 

After this incident, Captain Im Ji-sup dismissed Sung-woo, while Corporal Han Ho-yeol resumed his post in team D.P. along with Jun-ho. With Ho-yeol's return, the D.P. team starts working diligently to bring back the deserters. Jun-ho learns know-hows of his work from Ho-yeol and strives not to repeat his mistakes from his first mission. 

The combination of Jun-ho's intuition, Ho-yeol's experience, and Beom-gu's guidance led team D.P. to successfully bring back the soldiers on the run. While navigating through these cases, Jun-ho discovers the reality of military life. 

Low-ranking soldiers often endure bullying, harassment, and psychological trauma, while their superiors fail to intervene and stop this injustice. This toxic culture inspires Jun-ho to rebel and motivates him to stand up against the unfair treatment instead of remaining a bystander.

My Thoughts 

Based on the webtoon called D.P. Dog's Day, the show follows the cases investigated by the Deserter Pursuit Unit in the South Korean military. The dark and gripping theme renders the painful realities faced by victims of bullying and harassment. 

The entire cast delivered an excellent performance in terms of acting, but I would like to specifically praise Jung Hae-in and Koo Kyo-hwan for their remarkable portrayals of their characters. 

I loved the synergy between the D.P. team, where Ho-yeol's experience, Jun-ho's attentiveness, and Boem-gu's support for his teammates collectively achieved the mission of bringing back runaway soldiers. Motivated by compassion for their fellow soldiers and a deep sense of justice, the D.P. team resolutely tackles the cases they encounter. 

Despite the constant abuse and painful scenes, the show skillfully incorporates dark humor, strong brotherhood, and exciting action sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat. The series exposes the harsh reality of mandatory military service, including the hazing, abuse, and psychological trauma. 

It questions the role of seniors as well as the bystanders who refuse to take any action to help the victims. Additionally, it addresses several social issues, including corruption, favoritism, and the abuse of power. 

The show concludes on a somber note, suggesting a second season for a more satisfying resolution. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and highly recommend it to fans of gripping storylines.

If you're looking for a drama that goes beyond entertainment and delivers a powerful message, D.P. Season 1 is a must-watch. It shines a harsh but necessary light on the realities of military life while giving viewers characters they can truly empathize with. Emotionally, thought-provoking, and brilliantly acted, this is a series that stays with you long after you finish it. 

What’s your take on D.P. Season 1? Share your favourite moments and characters in the comment section. Your suggestions matter! Drop any topics or ideas for future posts.

Love watching military dramas? Please read my review of Descendants of the Sun.

My Rating: 7.5/10 

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