“D.P 2” leaves a strong impression on viewers through the portrayal of miserable lives that often go unnoticed.
“D.P.” is a webtoon of the same name by Kim Bo Tong. The drama first aired in 2021 and garnered much success. It attracted global attention thanks to its raw depiction of a harsh life in the Korea military system and the complex matters that entail.
After the shocking ending in season 1, Ahn Jun Ho (Jung Hae In’s character) was left with a nagging question about the purpose of his job.
It signals a turn in the journey of the male lead in season 2, who will have to choose between orders from his superiors and his true calling. His closest comrade Han Ho Yeol (Koo Kyo Hwan) also had to receive psychological treatment after the shocking event of season 1.
Miserable lives that blurs the line between right and wrong
If the first part of “D.P.” is about Joon Ho and Ho Yul’s pursuit of deserters, the second part returns to those who were pursued. New episodes introduce new cases that seriously challenge their moral compass and measure their loyalty to the military. It extends on the premise of the last episode of season 1 when Kim Roo Ri (Moon Sang Hoon), a soldier with mental health issues, suddenly attacked other soldiers and ran away.
Instead of treating him like a criminal, Joon Ho and Ho Yul approach his family with good will and convinced him to give himself in. The series delves deeper into his tragedy and the consequences of his behaviors.
Season 2 also emphasizes the pain and struggles of the families of the deserters, further blurring the line between right and wrong when different tragedies of different parties are equally painful and relatable to viewers.
The pursuit of Jang Seong Min (Bae Na Ra) also gains major attention. Jang Seong Min experiences a lot of struggles in pursuing his music career simply because he wants to dress up like a girl. The teasing does not stop when he joins the army. Fed up with constant teasing, he throws away his old life and starts performing at nightclubs under a new name.
The encounter with Jang Seong Min once again leaves Ho Yul and Joon Ho with many questions about the meanings of what they do and who they want to be.
Skillful performances of amazing actors
Jung Hae In continues showing his amazing acting chops. He can flesh out a character with more layers and maturity after witnessing every aspect of military life. From a naive character in season 1, Ahn Jun Ho finally found his true calling and grew a lot after season 1.
Jung Hae In shows off his acting chops by fleshing out a spectrum of emotions with his subtle acting. Through the actor, viewers can understand the message of the series and see events in the drama through his eyes.
Koo Kyo Hwan is also a charming actor. His character is portrayed with more depth to fit into the general moody, brooding tone of the second season. Nonetheless, he maintains great chemistry with Jung Hae In.
Bae Na Ra also captivated attention despite being a supporting actor. He perfectly transforms into his character with strong vocal ability and stunning visual, thanks to his background as an idol. Moreover, he conveys every bit of his character’s agony and will to live so vividly that viewers can feel his pain to the core.
Stunning visual and ingenious storytelling
The exploration of “D.P.” into socio-political issues is presented in a meticulous production. Every scene contributes to the overall coherence of the drama.
Fast pacing an visually lush cinematography bring viewers on a thrilling ride full of suspense and twist after twist. The non-linear storytelling makes “D.P.” more challenging to grasp at first sight, but more rewarding when it reaches a conclusion.
Nonetheless, viewers believe that the ending is safe compared to the unresolved conflicts told throughout the drama. While the fates of the deserters are depicted with immense tragedy, the confrontations that entail are resolved fairy easily. Clues are everywhere, so viewers can predict the ending with a glance.
Overall: 3.5/5
Even so, “D.P. 2” deserves to be a sequel to one of the most successful Korean series in recent years. The work continues to impress because it depicts the darks sides of the military system in the Korean society. At the same time, the series also sheds new light on a story often told in an absolute positive light.
