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In the Netflix K-dramaD.P., men and fear are intertwined.
Its this system into which Ahn Jun-ho (Jung Hae-in) falls.
Yet inside, he couldnt be more removed from the boorish, misogynistic world maintained in barracks.
Hes simply a confused, directionless young man thrown into a group of other confused young men.
This should mark Jun-ho as a target for the hazing and intense bullying from his peers.
unit for deserter pursuit.
Its notable thatD.P.is set in 2014,a tragic year in South Koreaand a scandalous one for the military.
Several months later, a20-year-old soldier died as the result of abuse from superiors.
When his first mission ends in calamity, Jun-ho is paired with experienced D.P.
Han Ho-yeol (Koo Kyo-hwan).
The depiction of the realities of national service resonated with many veterans and madeD.P.a domestic phenomenon.
Its odd, then, that the series isnt bigger outside South Korea.
The answer is simple: It was released a month beforeSquid Game.
ThoughSquid Gamelanguished in South Korea behindD.P.and thenHometown Cha Cha Cha, internationallywe all caughtSquid Gamefever.D.P.never stood a chance.
This time, it was Hulus remarkable superhero dramaMoving.
Does that makeD.P.the unluckiest South Korean series in memory?
It certainly has a claim.
But what it says and what it does makes it well deserving of a second chance.
It doesnt grant those men a happy ending, it doesnt envision reform.
David,D.P.says, cannot contend with a Goliath unwilling or unable to change.
