Deserter Pursuit (2021)

It'll make you uncomfortable. Rightly so.

in actual shock because of d.p. it made me so uncomfortable, for all the right reasons. i want more of it, because of how honest and real it was... but i dont think i can see more of it, because of how honest and real it was. it made me feel so helpless. what a show.
also, very out of character for me, but i really appreciated how all the background stories of our main characters were just hinted and never truly, fully explored. in most cases, i'd think of it as wasted potential. but here, i liked it. the little they gave us showed us why the characters were the way they were, and why they behaved in certain situations the way they did. but they never took the focus away from what the show was truly about - the reality of a broken, and violence-driven system.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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An Insight of the military life!

This 6 episode journey was too short, but perfectly delivered, with a long lasting impact. Too many contents were thoroughly discussed in here. And ofcourse the glorious Jung HaeIn delivered his role with as perfection as his previous projects, but this time with the alliance of Koo KyoHwan, Kim Sungkyun and a cameo appearance by Lee Junyoung and Ko KyungPyo. Worth the hype and worth-watching.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
To be honest, as a Post-D.P-Viewer, this made me lowkey worry about all my favs who are enlisted/and soon enlisting, but I hope the people they interact with, are nice and kind and serve well!!

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To be quite honest, I don't know why I even started watching this. My love for Jung Hae In? Not quite enough. I guess I just expected good humour in a dark setting, but not too much darkness, because the trailer made it seem like that. I definitely should have taken the "dark" tag more seriously. But once I started I couldn't stop. It's on the shorter side, so there are no fillings, or places for boredom, yet nothing seemed rushed.
The story is awful, dark, graphic, honest and nothing is sugar coated. You'd usually expect an ending on a somewhat hopeful note. There is nothing like that here. The ending was awful. (and I am still pondering about what it meant, when An Jun Ho began running... did he run away too?).
They showed us a system that is prone to harassment, abuse of all sorts and with seemingly no escape at all. There are the victims, that might become the perpetrator, hurt pride on which they act with aggression. It is truly awful.
You can still tell that the creators wanted to get a message across, wishing for a change. At the end it even felt like the characters were talking to the audience directly.
The first few episodes were fun, like really fun, even though the comedy is not in your face, but I had a blast, even with the dark moments, but towards the last two episodes. Like wow. I'll repeat ... it's awful. Also how they sneakily build up on to the last two eps makes my heart ache even more.
I don't know what I am writing, my thoughts are messy and so are my words.

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Crying Through Inhumanity...if you laughed during this drama, just straight uninstall your brain.

The acting in this drama was very well done on all counts, especially the lead and his eventual partner. Whoever titled their drama review "laughing through the misery",,,or something similar to that....is a legit barbarian. This show was immensely depressing and raw, there might have been a few mildly funny moments from the lead's partner, but for the most part it just piles depressing circumstances upon depressing circumstances. I legit hate the things men do to each other in this drama. It's worse than a prison drama. The intense bullying, abuse, and violent depravity made me angry and disappointed, yet again, with the depths to which humanity will sink if allowed. Joy, humor, comradery...these were all dim candles ruthlessly snuffed out by the writer as the events unfolded.

The storytelling was very good, even if the subject was miserable. The pace of the episodes is perfect, the stories have sufficient detail and background to be meaningful even in such a short format by KDrama standards. The overarching theme, apart from commentary on the S.Korean military system, was essentially about the battle to retain some semblance of humanity in the middle of inhumane torment. In the end, the system they were stuck in gave them little opportunity to achieve that goal, and instead they were continuously losing battles in which honor and dignity were weak cards in a doomed hand that stood no chance against opportunistic torment.

I wouldn't watch this again. It was horrible to see the extent of the bullying and I'd rather just pretend people don't actually treat each other that way. I hope Kdramas like this, and all the ones about school bullying, eventually drive change so that people don't have to ever face situations like these. In watching the drama, I hope in some small way I add my one tiny voice to the litany of people screaming in outrage at a system that would allow even a fraction of this inhumanity. I think it's important for these stories to be told, and I think it's important that people are brave enough to tell them.

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captivating

i wasn’t expecting much of an military based kdrama but holy shit this one catches your attention.

the only complaint i have is that its too fuckin short. whose idea was it just to give 6 episodes?? I mean i’ve watched a lot of short kdramas before, like weak hero class. And isn’t it usually the standard to make short shows atleast 8 episodes but when i saw it end so suddenly…i’m mad. but atleast there’s going to be a s2!

i can’t give the show much criticism because like i said it doesn’t even feel like i watched the show properly and just gave up mid show. but its good, i promise it’s a good kdrama.

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