D.P. Season 2 (2023)

Nothing really changed, but at least they tried, and they are still trying to change the system.

I don't know where to start because right now I am experiencing all kinds of emotions. D.P.2 didn't disappoint, it was actually a level up from Season 1.

I didn't watch Season 1 when it aired as I was very hesitant to watch military style drama, but when I watched it in 2022, it instantly became my favorite. After that, I eagerly waited for Season 2, and finally, I can say Season 2 was actually worth the wait.

Season 2 picks up where Season 1 left off, showing the aftermath of the Suk Bong incident and its impact on the lead characters, especially Han Ho Yul, who is dealing with PTSD. The incidents in Season 2 escalate to the point where our D.P. Jun Ho hinself becomes a deserter to expose the harsh realities of the military.

Each and every story left a very, very deep impression on me. I can relate to the main victims in each story and feel their pain. None of them deserved what they went through, and they all deserved a happy ending, but unfortunately, they didn't get one.
The perpetrators totally ruined the victims lives, and the last scene itself showed the reality of it when Suk Bong was still hospitalized while his perpetrator Jang Soo, was enjoying his life. That scene totally broke me.

My favorite story in Season 2 has to be Jang Seong Min's story, who underwent an identity change to become Nina. The guy was a theatre artist who used to play female characters, which led his seniors to bully him in military and eventually run away from the military. He was on the run for years, living a difficult life, and when he finally got chance to make his career outside the country to escape this hell, D.P. started chasing him. He got injured and died due to excessive blood loss. This story has to be one of the most heartbreaking in the D.P. franchise after Suk Bong's story.

All the stories in this season felt like they were speaking to the world, showing the suffering they endured. Every story made me teary eyed.
I have no prior experience of military service, but I can totally, totally feel the pain of those who have gone through such pain after joining the military.

I love how South Korea never shies away from showing the realities of the military. If some other country had tried this concept, Im sure this show must have been banned long ago for insulting the military. But honestly, we need such shows to shed light on the harsher realities of the military.

In this season, Captain Im Ji Seop's character saw significant development, from a grey character in Season 1 to a totally positive character in Season 2. He came a long way. The way he and his wife Lieutenant Colonel Seo Eun tried to expose the realities of the military and prevent such incidents from happening was commendable. I really didn't think he would go to such lengths to help the D.P.s. His bromance with Sergeant Park Beom Goo was damn good, which was another new aspect from Season 2 that I enjoyed.

Jun Ho's character also underwent significant growth, from being unable to do anything for victim deserters to finally trying to help them. It was a really big growth for him character-wise. Jung Hae In's acting in the last two episodes was exceptional. He is totally born for this character.
Han Ho Yul is definitely my favorite. Every time he mostly shows his comic side, but the Suk Bong incident left a big scar on him as he was dealing with PTSD, which showed how sensitive he is. But even with such seriousness, he really never failed to make me laugh in various situations.

The victim characters of the various stories actually stole the show, from Kim RuRi to his mother to Jang Seong Min to Ah Wi; everyone's acting was just a chef's kiss. All of them deserve to win awards for their performances.

Even the villain characters Gu Ja Woon and Oh Min Woo made you hate them to the core, which proves how good actors they are.

In the end, neither the deserters' victims get full justice nor do their pleas remain unheard. The case is not solved and our D.P. will continue to fight for them until the end.

In the end, I will say nothing has really changed, but they tried, and they are still trying.

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Discipline, Punishment, Morality and Art

What do I even say cause I am left speechless by the brilliance behind season 2. While season 1's entire premise is moral chastatization of the individual and their place within a systemic cycle of abuse and revenge, season 2 does the brilliant thing of not brow beating it's audience into submission and cutting all that sanctimonious nonsense. It **BRILLIANTLY** highlights that the issue ***IS SYSTEMIC*** and not individual. Such an sentiment I'd like to say in retrospect was undergirding the brilliance of season 1 with season 2 bringing it forth and flourishing it into existence.
DP's artistic direction is another thing worth noting. Too often I feel like K-dramas are retreading old ground and it's easy to feel like you've seen every plot line and every trope and every character archetype but goddamn do I have an immense respect for the directors and writers direction with this. An actual critique of the pejorative system facilitating the our society and the military industrial complex. From the Anton Chekhov story line to the gothic horror of EP 4 every single thing is a breath of fresh air. Artistically wonderful with a narrative that is spiritually animating.
This isn't a shallow over exaggerated look at things. From the opening soundtrack and film that shows the gradual fall into disillusionment and nihilism of the world as Jun Ho looks at you dead inside to Nina's determination, hopes, and dreams being crushed by the system just like how a seagull is shot down in Anton Chekhov's play, it's all wonderful. An interplay of art, politics, love, morality, and responsibility.

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