Tonight on Netflix: Discover One of the Most Iconic K-Dramas of Its Generation!

An Jun-ho (Jung Hae-in) is a young soldier undergoing his mandatory military service in South Korea. His keen observational skills land him a spot in a special unit known as Deserter Pursuit (D.P.), tasked with tracking down deserting soldiers.

Alongside his partner Han Ho-yeol (Koo Kyo-hwan), Jun-ho sets out to locate these runaways. However, as their missions progress, Jun-ho begins to uncover the deep-seated reasons driving some soldiers to desert: violence, harassment, humiliation, and psychological pressure within the ranks.

Each case becomes a moral quandary: should he simply return the deserters, or should he understand their suffering and question the entire system?

D.P. – short for Deserter Pursuit – is a compelling South Korean drama that dives into the often-hidden reality of mandatory military service and the soldiers who flee from it. Following a soldier tasked with tracking these individuals and understanding their motivations, the series adopts a very realistic and sometimes harsh tone.

Inspired by the webtoon D.P. Dog’s Day by Kim Bo-tong, who also co-wrote the series with director Han Jun-hee, D.P. debuted on Netflix in 2021 and returned for a second season in 2023. Following its release, the series quickly topped the Netflix charts in South Korea.

With its strong and realistic premise, the show stands out for its incisive social critique, examining the military’s failings and openly addressing harassment, abuse of power, and the psychological impacts.

Its strength lies in its characters—deep and believable—portrayed by Jung Hae-in and Koo Kyo-hwan, who deliver performances that steer clear of stereotypes. Each character has their own flaws, motivations, and evolves authentically throughout the series.

The series also excels in its careful balance between tension and emotion, skillfully alternating between intense scenes, dramatic moments, and instances of humor. The direction is understated and immersive, focusing on realism with close-up camera work and an occasionally suffocating atmosphere that pulls viewers into the characters’ daily lives.

Recognized as one of the most impactful Korean dramas of its time, it has garnered significant acclaim at various prestigious ceremonies. It shone at the Baeksang Arts Awards 2022, winning the award for best drama. In these awards, Cho Hyun-chul (Hotel Del Luna) was acknowledged as the best supporting actor, while Koo Kyo-hwan received the award for best new actor, confirming his powerful performance.

The series’ success extends beyond South Korea. At the Asian Academy Creative Awards, Jung Hae-in was recognized for his leading role. He was also honored at the APAN Star Awards, receiving an excellence award for online platform productions.

• Looking for another must-watch K-Drama on Netflix? Here’s one that delves deeply and sensitively into the closed world of the South Korean penal system.

Thus, if D.P. is worth watching, it’s because it goes beyond being just a military series: it’s a reflection on institutional violence, injustice, and loneliness. Each episode tells a different story while weaving a captivating central narrative, making it hard to put down.

Overall, the series consists of two seasons with six episodes each, creating a profound, engaging, and distinctive viewing experience for those seeking something deep and different from the more typical Korean dramas.

D.P. (Deserter Pursuit), created by Han Jun-hee and Kim Bo-tong, starring Jung Hae-in, Koo Gyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun…

Two seasons available on Netflix.