The first season of the Netflix South Korean series, DP, was crazy, depressing, but also intense, and now that we’ve got the second season. Does it continue with those tones Jun, ho and Han of the deserter Pursuit unit, continue to struggle against the harsh realities and injustices that remain unchanged in the Korean compulsory Army? Now this season picks up pretty much right where season one left off. So if you haven’t watched that season in a bit, there is a recap that you can watch on Netflix. Now the opening sequences are harrowing and violent instantly thrusting us back into the world of the compulsory Army.
Now, bullying is a normalized way of life within a lot of the ranks because of that ongoing abuse, the victims lash out in various ways. Sometimes they go AWOL, which then triggers the deserter pursuit or DP team to track them down. Others decide to off themselves and then there are still some that take their rage out on their attackers and we get to see a combo of these throughout this season, again, leaning into the dark tone that the previous season had now. This is just six episodes and there are a couple of cases the DP take on, but the series also has this larger story arc that’s at play and it is intense and tragic, but mixed within the darkness of the episodes. It’S some camaraderie and even laughs, especially thanks to the pairing of Han and Jun ho.
Now they began a fantastic dynamic in season one, and here it goes to another level. Their friendship takes on new facets because of what they’re facing, and I constantly found myself enjoying their banter, especially because haunt is a bit he’s a bit more on the Lively and sarcastic side, and it works well against June Ho’s, more serious demeanor. While this sits solidly as a drama, there are a few action sequences that are high energy and extremely brutal. The choreography and camera work it’s immersive and convincing, and there’s this one extended sequence, that’s nothing but Close Quarters battle. It’S violently awesome.
It illustrates how powerful a certain character is, even though they’re often taken for granted and looked down upon, and there was a weirdness, though to the lens effect during part of that sequence: the center of the frame. Now it’s still in Focus, but everywhere else. In the view it looks like it’s in kind of a warp I mean not bending but just rushing forward, and I guess it’s meant to give a sense of momentum, but the scene was already energetic, so maybe they were just trying something new, but you know it Didn’T happen before that scene, and then it didn’t happen after so. Its inclusion was a little strange now. It’S nothing that I’ve really enjoyed in the show is the music.
It’S varied both in genre and emotion and there’s one smaller story arc in the third episode that features a very melodic and entrancing musical selection. There’S this Montage happening on screen and the music heavily reinforces what we watch play out surrounding a character. I thought it worked. Amazingly well, but it’s not all great or awesome in that same episode, number three and then in one of the later episodes too. The music is at odds with what’s happening on screen music, it’s whimsical, even goofy, but there’s a violent brawl.
That’S taking place! It totally work because of those conflicting emotions, so you know, while a lot of the time the music was complementary. This is one area that could have been stronger and even more consistent, so that it all enhanced the visuals rather than working against some of them, and because of the cases that are being worked, there is a built-in urgency to all of the plot lines deserters. They need to be tracked down or evidence needs to be collected and this time there’s also a deadline that needs to be met except the goal line. It’S totally flooded with complications and people that don’t want the objective achieved and the story dives into some of the inner workings of the military and the politics there, especially as it pertains to the public perception and then Government, funding and oversight.
Now, during these portions, the intensity and the stress of the show it just ratchets way up – and there were points that I was kind of holding my breath due to the suspense. Well, some of the Season deviates away from deserters being pursued. The show isn’t any less engaging and riveting a lot of this season plays on the idea of family, not just biological ones, also, those that can be considered family through Duty or honor, or even friendship now as an American watching. Sometimes the emotions appear a little melodramatic, but I think what it really is is expressive and raw. I mean we’re showing people who are pushed to their Edge, who then react and the response is their visceral and heartbreaking, and I continued to be drawn into both junho and Han, but a few of the other characters began to be way more likable than I thought They were in the first season now, for instance, sergeant Park Beyond goo and I think that’s how his name is pronounced.
Well, he’s the one that oversees the DP Squad, it doesn’t dress in uniform and he barely tolerates Hans acts, but there’s also this soft spot. That really shines through the season, showing a compassionate side to him, as well as a justice-oriented mindset. That means that he’s going to risk a lot to do what’s right, the episodes are between 40 minutes and an hour in length and the pace. It’S typically more on the patient’s side. As the story slowly reveals different elements.
That shows a whole. I mean it’s not slow or boring, but because it’s mostly patient, it can seem unevenly paced at times, especially when there are other sequences that are quick and energetic. Now I was really appreciating how the camera would pause on characters drawing out their emotions, so that we could begin to feel it. I mean even if no words were being spoken and no action was being taken, a character just standing or sitting and contemplating can be powerful when the shot is allowed to linger on them and for as much as I loved the story and how it unfolds. Some of the way in which the narrative is laid out and it felt a little bit confusing or even convoluted more than it needed to be.
Really. There were moments that I couldn’t tell if something was a flashback or a memory or if it was happening in the present and really the only reason it even mattered is just to place the character. In time I mean the impact of the conversations and the actions was still important and relevant. There’S a scene that involves a singer and while the story is being told about them, we watch what felt like it was a flashback. But then, in the present it felt like the flashback could have been happening simultaneously in the timeline, rather than actually being a flashback.
So it was a bit confusing when the season concludes. We’Ve gotten a ton of resolutions and closure on several of the characters, and it feels as though the series could be wrapped up and complete now, unlike season one that ends with a suspenseful action. This one doesn’t do that there is a mid-credit scene, but it just allows us to see one more interaction, that’s meaningful and touching now, if the series was to continue, I’m not going to be upset, because I really like this, but I’m not sure what the trajectory Would be other than torsora rehash and revisit a lot of the similar story, tones of more deserters and then the DP going after them. So if you’re a fan of season one, I think you’re really gon na enjoy season. Two.
The stakes are increased in both danger and emotion, diving, even more into the problems of bullying and abuse that has been showcased to happen amongst the ranks both junho and Han continue to be standouts, both with their friendship and humor, but also then, they’re investigative and problem-solving Skills they’re Dynamic, it’s inspiring and enthralling, both being nuanced characters that are much deeper than they first appear. The action is handled well with immersive choreography and Camera work, allowing the audience to be put in the middle of The Fray, and while the pace is patient and deliberate, the urgency of the narrative keeps the story moving and it’s coupled with a poignant legal Arc that Creates nail-biting dramatic suspense, the music can be mismatched to the scenes and the timelines are sometimes difficult to follow, but the Charisma of the lead characters and the intensity of the storyline more than make up for these shortcomings, there’s no sex or nudity a lot of profanity And then a ton of brutal violence, I give season two of DP four and a half out of five couches. So have you seen this show? Yet if you have who’s your favorite character now I thought mine was June ho, but Han became mine this season. Let me know yours, though, in the comments below.
