A young man enlists in the military and unwittingly finds himself being appointed to the Deserter Pursuit (D.P.) team.  As the title indicates, this team is responsible for hunting down young men who have deserted their posts, and bringing them back to finish out their service.  The job comes with some obvious perks, such as being able to leave the barracks for days at a time and being able to grow your hair out to blend in better with civilians.  But it also brings him face to face with the corruption and violence that are prevalent in the system as a whole, and the tacit agreement of those in authority to look the other way and deny it exists.  As he searches for each soldier, he will get a chance to see into the man’s life and what circumstances drove him to make such a radical decision.  And as each case brings issues to light, he will begin to question his own role in perpetuating the abuse.  

Koo Kyo Hwan as Han Ho Yul

Han Ho Yul is sick in the hospital when Joon Ho goes on his first case, but he comes back to find himself partnered with the rookie.  He immediately takes Joon Ho under his wing.  Although Joon Ho isn’t sure who to trust in the beginning, Ho Yul eventually earns his trust and begins to break through Joon Ho’s cool exterior.  Because of his seniority, Ho Yul is not subjected to the same bullying as the newer soldiers, and he does his best to step in and protect Joon Ho any way he can.  The longer they work together, the closer they become, with Ho Yul once declaring that he is sure they must have been married in a past life!

Han Ho Yul is relaxed and easy going, but he is also committed to his work in the DP.  While he enjoys his time back in civilian life, he never ignores his duties to find the men they are sent to search for.  He really doesn’t give Joon Ho any choice but to be his friend, as he proves by showing up announced at Joon Ho’s mother’s house.  This kind of friend is the perfect partner for Joon Ho’s reserved, careful personality.  Koo Kyo Hwan is so likable in this role.  I loved his breezy approach to life and their job, and Koo Kyo Hwan portrayed it perfectly.  

Son Seok Koo as Im Ji Sup

Captain Im Ji Sup is brought in from another base to supervise Park Bum Goo and the whole Military Police Department.  As a new supervisor, he doesn’t know any of the men personally and is really only concerned with having the Department be successful.  He and Park Bum Goo are always competing and at odds with each other. 

 ♥ No Whitewashing

If you are going to take on such a difficult and controversial subject as bullying and abuse, you really need to commit to the unsavoryness of it all.  If this drama had pulled back or tried to brush over some of the more painful details, it would not have carried the same message.  “D.P.” never shies away from the stark truth of this issue.  There are no rescues or happy ending, and even those not directly involved bare some guilt for not speaking up for the victims.  It’s not always easy to watch, but it is stirring.

♥ Theme of Mothers

The theme of mothers carries throughout this drama in a fascinating way.  Ho Yul wisely observes that soldiers always want to go home to their mothers.  Joon Ho’s own relationship with his mother is the source of his anger and frustration.  And as he watches case after case of good people reaching their breaking point after endless abuse, he worries more and more that his mother could do the same.  And most heartbreaking of all, with Suk Bong’s final breaths, he calls out for his mother.  

 Ho Yul’s Backstory

Ho Yul is such a fun and interesting character, but I wished we had found out more about his backstory.  We know almost nothing about him or his life outside of the Deserter Pursuit Team.  I understand that this is a short series with limited epsiodes, but I feel like we know so much about Joon Ho.  It hardly seems fair.  It would help to know more about what shapes and motivates Ho Yul too.  

 What Happens Next?

Obviously this series is more about the pursuit than the catching, but I couldn’t help but wonder what happens next for the few soldiers who were caught.  Do they serve time in military prison?  Are they eventually dishonorably discharged?  The way they talked about it made it seem like they just went back to their original posts, but Desertion is a serious crime, so that seems unlikely.  I would like to have seen Joon Ho follow up with at least one case to give us an idea of where they are now.    

“D.P” is intense all the way until the extra scene after the credits.  The final case is Suk Bong, who we have watched get bullied through the whole season.  Coming full circle, Suk Bong, just like Joon Ho’s first case, ends up killing himself, this time in a violent stand-off with everyone watching.  Later we see Im Ji Sup packing his things to transfer to a new unit.  The new recruits gather outside with a new supervisor.  But standing alone in the back of the group is Joon Ho.  As everyone finishes their drill and runs off for some kind of party, Joon Ho stands alone.  As the screen fades to black, we see him run the other way, his footsteps echoing through the empty frame.  Has he finally become a deserter himself?  As credits role, we see him meeting with the sister of his first case, at the soldier’s memorial.  Tearfully, she asks why no one, Joon Ho included, ever tried to stop the bullying.  Joon Ho’s guit is obvious, but he has no answer.  After the credits, we hear soldiers talking about Suk Bong’s “suicide attempt”.  Suk Bong’s friend and comic clubmate, Luffy, comes in from duty.  As the other soldiers begin tormenting him and calling him names, he calmly draws his weapon and opens fire as the screen fades for the final time.