Jung Hae-in says 'D.P.' is a relatable story to be enjoyed by anyone

Now in the second season, Netflix military series "D.P." lead actor Jung Hae-in believes that for people who have served in the military, the series is a chance to think about what they would have done in the deserters' shoes. And to those who...

Jun-ho, played by Jung Hae-in, chases down army deserters in the hit Netflix series ″D.P.″ [NETFLIX]

Now in the second season, Netflix military series "D.P." lead actor Jung Hae-in believes that for people who have served in the military, the series is a chance to think about what they would have done in the deserters' shoes. And to those who have never been inside a camp, it's a chance to take a sneak peek into the secretive community of Korea's Army.

“I imagine that any person who becomes a deserter would have had their own reasoning and answer behind why they did it, but I can’t imagine myself doing so,” Jung said during a group interview with local reporters at a cafe in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Thursday. “Even as I was filming the scenes where my character escapes the army, I kept asking myself, ‘Can you do it?’ and ‘Do you have the courage?’”

Actor Jung Hae-in [NETFLIX]

“D.P.,” which stands for “deserter pursuit” — follows two army men on the arresting team, Jun-ho played by Jung and Ho-yul by Koo Kyo-hwan. The second season of the series was released last week on June 28.

In Season 1, Jun-ho gets recruited into the arresting squad and chases down deserters with Ho-yul, his superior. A supporting character of the series makes an extreme decision and leaves viewers in shock by the end of the season, and Season 2 follows the events that take place afterwards.

Main poster for the second season of ″D.P.″ [NETFLIX]

The series has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the Korean Army, and has brought about social discourse and even a response from politicians on the flaws of the military system. A Ministry of National Defense official previously mentioned the series during a meeting to discuss service environments, and the series has won numerous accolades including the Baeksang Arts Award for Best TV Drama last year.

Any Korean man who has served his mandatory service in the military would empathize with the story in “D.P.,” Jung claimed. All able-bodied men have to serve up to two years in the military in Korea.

Jung Hae-in plays Jun-ho, one of the arresting squad duos in the hit Netflix series ″D.P.″ [NETFLIX]

“Most people who have served in the military have seen some kind of injustice or bullying happen inside,” Jung said. “And it's not just the military — this could happen in corporate offices, at school, or wherever else. But it is most obvious that it happens in the military, and our show deals with that kind of injustice, bullying and other issues.”

Regarding the continuation from Season 1, Jung kept the story of the first season in mind all the while he was filming Season 2, the actor said.

“I kept reminding myself of the story of Season 1 and had a kind of transcription of the story in my head the whole time while we were filming the second season,” Jung said. “We — the cast, director and writer — had a lot to think about in terms of how to continue the plot from Season 1 since it left off with such a shocking event. How to pivot off of the ending of the first season and continue Jun-ho’s and Ho-yul’s development was an important point.”

Jung Hae-in, left, and Koo Kyo-hwan, right, play an arresting squad duo in the hit Netflix series ″D.P.″ [NETFLIX]

Season 2 of “D.P.,” however, has been receiving some criticism in comparison to Season 1 in that it lacks the signature realism of the series. In the first season, "D.P." was praised for its detailed depiction of the military, but the second season featured more dramatic plotlines and fight scenes, which critics saw as lacking realism.

Jung refuted these comments and said that the fact that there is a “deserter pursuit” arresting squad within the army itself is unfamiliar to most.

“It is an unfamiliar and not widely known concept, and it may be hard to build up a universal point of empathy based on such material,” Jung said. “Realism was not a concern that I had, really — as an actor, the most emphasis I put was on being sincere.”

On the attraction of the “D.P.” series, Jung speculated that the main appeal could be that it is set in the military, which is by nature very closed-off and secretive.

A scene from the second season of ″D.P.″ [NETFLIX]

“Besides the people who are actually in the military right now, no one knows much about what goes on inside,” Jung said. “It is a very closed-off space, and the public does not have much knowledge of the happenings. For those who haven’t been to the military yet or for those who were discharged awhile ago, the show offers a glimpse of that closed-off environment, and that's the show's appeal.”

Season 3 of “D.P.” has not yet been confirmed, but Jung would definitely be back as Jun-ho if a third season is indeed made, the actor said. Spoiler alert: In the second season, Ho-yul is seen fulfilling his duties and leaving the service. “D.P.” without Ho-yul would seem somewhat awkward, but Jung was confident that the show could be successfully continued.

“It would feel strange without Ho-yul, but I think a third season could bring a lot to the table with a whole new story,” Jung said. “For me, as an actor, if I am called to a role, I am obligated to give it my all and perform that role well. I feel very invested in the character of Jun-ho, and hope that there will be another chance for me to play him.”

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]