D.P. (2021)

Un drama percutant

D.P. est un drama qui aborde un sujet sensible et qui de ce fait est parfois assez dur.
Jun Ho est un gars qui semble perdu dans la vie et qui se retrouve à faire son service militaire. Très rapidement l'ambiance se dégrade et montre la violence interne aux groupes de militaires. J'ai vraiment apprécié le regard du réalisateur sans concession qui nous plonge au cœur de la violence et du désespoir des soldats.

Les nouveaux enrôlés sont harcelés et maltraités de façon assez horribles qui conduits certains à déserter l'armée. Le drama dénonce l'immobilisme des cadres qui savent ce qui se passent sans agir.

Jun Ho se fait assez vite repérer et intègre une unité qui lui permet de retourner régulièrement à la vie civile. Il doit retrouver et ramener les déserteur.
On le découvre intègre et sensible, investit dans sa mission pour sauver ses camarades.

Le coté un peu lourd de la série est contrebalancé par le personnage de Beom Gu qui est assez décalé, dans l'humour et qui apporte un peu de légèreté au propos. C'est cet équilibre entre violence militaire et humour qui rend ce drama si spécial et qui vous accroche dès les premiers épisodes.

Le rythme des épisodes est efficace et nous tient en haleine. La saison s'achève sur un twist qui annonce la 2e saison.

Jung Hae in est toujours aussi génial. Il me touche avec le moindre petit regard. Il sait faire passer des émotions sans même les exprimer avec des mots.

Leia Mais

Excellent but Heartbreaking

Wow, this drama is intense. They do not flinch from portraying the brutality of mental and physical bullying in the South Korean military. It's based on a webtoon by Kim Bo Tong, who was a DP when he did his mandatory military service. It's only six episodes, and Jung Hae In and Koo Kyo Hwan were excellent as the DPs. Another phenomenal performance was given by Jo Hyun Chul (the brother of rapper Mad Clown), who played soldier Cho Seok Bong. Such a gut-wrenching, raw performance that had me reaching for the tissues. This drama and his character make me worry about the softer-hearted guys who have to serve, the ones who are not big and brawny and able to better protect themselves like a number of K-pop idols but also normal citizens who serve alongside them.

Leia Mais

Short, but powerful

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.

Leia Mais

Drama that stirred dialogue and shed light to important issues

D.P. has managed to capture a great balance in portraying the battle of wrongdoing and righteousness of a dysfunctioning system. We peek at the cruelty of humanity and find the goodness of the human heart on the other side of it. D.P. has been one of the top 10 dramas of the year in South Korea, and for a reason. Even though the scenes are dramatized (a bit too much for my taste during the climax), the issues raised are very real and partly also based on the real-life events. The story also sheds light to the human's natural tendencies to build hierarchies, we vs. them mentality and to ostracize those who we deem different. Going against the current not only calls for strength and courage, but the right resources as well. Sometimes we find ourselves helpless against the greater forces. When we witness unkindness and unfairness, even cruelty, we can feel small and frightened in the front of it all. Quilt follows us for not noticing, not speaking, not acting.

How much can one person do to change the system? How many victims are needed for someone to care enough to act?

From a society to the system, all the way to a one individual, D.P. looks at all the layers of our world. "What makes a monster and what makes a man?" is pondered throughout the 6 episodes. Is violent rage justified if you have been drove to it? Is abuse okay as long as no one intervenes?

D.P. tackles big issues skillfully, both those of more concrete and visible, to the deeper philosophical questions. The raw and beautiful cinematography greatly complements the themes and offers the cast a perfect stage for splendid performances. Humour is dark and witty, action is there when called for, and a pause on a perfect moment lets the message sink into the viewer's heart. Very graphic, dark and even brutal at times, it wants to shake the viewers from their utopias: sorrow, abuse, and cruelty exists in those nooks and corners we choose not to notice.

Leia Mais

Gritty Yet Captivating

Stories of bullying in the Korean Military are not unheard of yet we never truly know the full extent of this problem. This drama gives us a visual of just how bad that bullying is, and depicts it in a way that is so raw and real to the point where it can be disturbing or hard to watch.

Every episode is intense and packed with a good balance of action, heart-wrenching moments, and comedy. I have to admit that I was not fully immersed until the third/fourth episode but that's not to say that the drama did not start out great. It did, however, the writing could be just a tad bit better (not sure if the webtoon writer is at fault or the drama writers). The drama just gets more captivating in the following episodes.

All the actors were phenomenal but Koo Kyo Hwan was definitely a scene-stealer. He deserves a special mention for providing that comic relief in this dark and heavy drama. He really was a breath of fresh air whenever a scene would get too intense.

I would imagine that this drama did a realistic portrayal of the dark side of the Korean Military as the original webtoon was based on the writer's real-life experience. This is not a drama that will let you breathe you a sigh of relief in the end. It stays true to its core - gritty and brutal. Overall, this is a thrilling series that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It may be short with only six episodes but it left me with lingering feelings and a heavy heart.

Leia Mais

A Darker Role For Jung Hae In Ends In Success

I waited for this drama, excited for a new role for Jung Hae In, a darker role that isn't his usual melancholic nice guy that he is already so good at. Jung Hae In's acting in D.P. was superb and I'm so proud of him for challenging himself, I hope he keeps it up. Everyone else's acting was really something as well, they all really immersed you into the drama and it all felt so really. The topics that it dealt with are really important and can be sensitive to others so be careful before you watch it. It's obvious things like this have happened before and I'd bet they are still happening which upsets me, hopefully the drama will bring light to it. Every episode is very watchable and despite the bullying you actually find yourself enjoying it and can't wait to move onto the next episode. There are comedic moments that are a breathe of fresh air during the serious scenes. I really recommend you watch it because it's impressive and informative.

Leia Mais

Warning: Don’t watch this if you’re depressed!

Kim Bo Tong, writer of D.P. was quoted as saying: “DP was created to fight the oblivious notion that the military is better now. I wish to help those fighting in the dark. I hope to make a better tomorrow for someone who might be crying alone even at this time.” What a praiseworthy and noble objective! I sincerely hope that the miniseries gets to achieve writer Bo Tong’s aspirations.

It is an action packed 6 episodes laden with heavy scenes that are shocking to see and difficult to digest if you are the overly sensitive and emotional type. Apparently, this is the grim reality that pervades the life of unfortunate junior personnel in the South Korean military, hence the deserters or runaways, and consequently, the need for DPs - those tasked to pursue and bring the deserters back to the barracks. The show resembles a social commentary on how a strict hierarchical society perpetuates and tolerates abuses then hides cowardly under the guise that it is intrinsically part of their culture’s DNA. It is what it is. Take it or leave it.

I appreciate how this show is raw, dark and honest as opposed to glossy, fanciful and pretentious. Director Han Jun Hee was not ashamed to show the dirty surroundings and the faulty system. He did not hesitate to show imperfections down to the minutest details such as the actors’ blemished complexion and rough skin texture.

The unlikely duo of an intensely serious Jung Hae In and an extremely goofy Koo Kyo Hwan was a match made in comedic heaven. Their solid partnership and suspenseful exploits were the victorious part of the story. What amazed me about their acting was how natural and spontaneous they delivered their lines as if there was no script to follow nor any cameras rolling in front of them.

My “D.P.” review in one sentence: Prolific acting, casting, directing, screenplay, production design and cinematography showcased in 6 episodes.

Leia Mais

Heavy Drama, Not Lighthearted Comedy

D.P Dog Day is freaking heavy. I watched all 6 episodes today and it was not the happy-go-lucky buddy cop drama from the trailer. There were some comedic moments, but overall, not a light drama. If you’re watching it, warning for bullying, verbal and physical assault, and suicide.

It’s overall a good drama. It explored some serious issues within S.Korea military and was not afraid to get into the dark details nor does the drama sugarcoat it, which I guess why the tragic and sad ending makes sense.

I love the OST. Jung Hae In does an amazing job again and still looks good in a uniform; my whole reason for watching drama in the first place.

I would definitely recommend it, just be aware of how heavy the drama actually is.

Leia Mais

Well written, well directed, well acted

First of all im a bit picky when giving ratings, but this drama is an easy 10/10 FOR ME

First of all i cant lie the reason why i watched this is because it has jung hae in and son sukku in it and i have a bug fat crush on them, but im glad i watch this because this is one of the best drama i have ever watched in my whole life.

The story: the story is about a ordinary military men who became a deserter pursuit (dp), they tell a story about how military life in the eyes of deserter. To be honest i dont find the first four eps as heavy, i mean they show bullying left and right but they have a lot of comical scenes too. The last two eps is indeed heavy and dark, it might even triggering to some people so please be mindful if you arent comfortable with bullying topic. The story is nothing extraordinary and kinda predictable too imo, but its very well written so i dont mind about it being predictable

Acting: the acting is brilliant. I love all the actors, i love how the actors portrayed the characters, from the main cast, supporting cast to the cameo. All the acting is solid, although i can say koo kyo hwan is the scene stealer throughout the series

Music: i love the ost!

Another thing that i love: i love the intro! I feel like the intro is trying to show us that everyone in the military is loved outside the military so they should be kind to them

Leia Mais

Despite all the dark, the light really shone through

Not a lot of dramas hook me the way this show did. As a total coincidence, I had a sick day the day this was released and I just thought "oh why not". Typically, I am a watcher of happy not-so-depressing shows so I didn't have high expectations, but this was a genuinely amazing show.

I'll start on a brighter note. The two main characters are extremely lovely. The comedic moments that are sprinkled into this dark-ass show made it so enjoyable. The fact that this show made me laugh and cry and scream… everything was executed so perfectly! Even the music, oh my god, it was insane! I sat (naively) with my Shazam open at the end of every episode, hoping something would pop up (which I then realized embarrassingly late that the OST hadn't been released yet).

Despite riding the Korean Wave for quite a few years now, I have always been very oblivious to how the military system works — the only thing I knew was all men get drafted for about two years. This show portrayed all the sad truths and dark stories that those two years could offer. A primitive society fueled by dominance and fear. Of course, the show is a work of fiction, but it leaves the viewer with a weird feeling in their gut that it was probably rooted in some truths.

This show is definitely for a more mature audience as it involves quite dark topics like abuse and death. It also has *a lot* of swearing. But it is amazing. I loved every second of it. 10/10. Go watch it now.

Leia Mais