I was so happy to see these characters again (the entire cast was great, yay for all the reprised roles)! Although I felt the central case was a bit weak, the message remains solid. Of course, Hoyeol's camaraderie with Junho was my favourite - so many hilarious moments (anybody notice that callback to them getting stuck in the doorway?) I would have loved an epilogue of them hanging out freely but the epilogue we did get was a true gift. It all came full circle ❤️

Even though it says spoilers, I'm still nervous about spoiling things haha.
So I'm not sure what to write.

Hmmm, one of my thoughts was I was surprised the way PTSD was covered as well as the emphasis on a certain deserter's story. Their story did have me wishing they could make it and then I thought "I probably should've seen this coming".

I was kinda surprised that this kind of show could even be made given I'm sure there is some kind of cooperation needed by the government/military.

Parts of this season made me wonder is this exaggeration or is this realistic while the whole (or at least the majority) of S1 felt real to me. It made me wonder is it impossible to do second seasons that are still as poignant or satisfying as the first. I don't think it's bad or anything, in fact there are lots of good performances and action moments. Even with S1, I don't think I felt like "wow, I've just watched the most amazing project". I just thought it was a good show and it made me think about military culture, just like this season did.

The ending left me with some questions but overall it just felt like "life goes on" which is, I don't know, bittersweet?

I hope more people leave comments so I write more about specific things haha.

I watched it all in one sitting, same as S1, which tells me it was compelling. However, overall, I was less impressed.

There was something about the raw brutality of the initial season that carried such punch. It had me reflecting on it for days; it was an eye-opening experience that had me questioning why I didn't know such things went on, and why I would have felt it was not my issue to address even if I had. The central idea of why we ignore things - and hopelessness is a big one - and who has the responsibility or power to change a system was an excellent issue to address. The drama asked questions but refused to give simplistic answers. I was forced to think and feel.

S2 felt less brutal. Although ep1 had the same bleakness of S1 with Junho still facing some abuse, after that, we did not see the relentless harassment that soldiers faced. There was a few minutes in ep1 with the soldier who opened fire on his colleagues, and a few more in ep3 when the drag queen soldier's backstory was mentioned, but that was it. The whole season felt "lighter" to me, even humorous at one point (ep3, the fight with the fixer's crew). The season felt more procedural Kdrama - corruption at the highest levels, a USB with files of evil goings on, a chase to get the evidence to court, Ho-yeol (who should have been running to the hills after his discharge) staying to protect his friend, estranged husband and wife getting back together etc. etc. - and that took something away from the uniqueness of what S1 had set up. It didn't give me the "wham" that the first season did; maybe it never could. Even if they'd gone back to highlighting the abuse of the ordinary soldier, it would have felt less fresh and arresting. They needed to tell a different tale - but I'm not sure they quite got the angle right.

I did like the idea that Jun-ho eventually went awol himself (it made sense for his character to do so over the issue, but I kind of wished he'd done it for a more mundane reason). I really liked the bleakness again at the end - although a step forward was taken, steps back were experienced too and the team emerged battered and bruised; Jun-ho is now facing his remaining 364 days on his own.

Glad I watched it, excellent performances as expected, but it doesn't share the special place in my heart that S1 does.

I think the highlight of the entire 2nd season was episode 3. I don't remember S1 too well but I don't think a deserter's motivations were portrayed in such a way. I think they spent way more time making us "root" for them than anyone else, at least that's what I thought. I don't remember anyone else talking/looking to the camera either (even briefly).

I enjoyed this season, and liked the bittersweet, yet hopeful ending. Season 1 is more impressive to me overall, but this season was good too just less gut punchy then the 1st. The military bureaucracy coverup was not as compelling as the episodes focused on finding the deserters. I thought Episode 4 was very atmospheric, and loved how perception was used to tell the story. You never want to see your friend as the bully and tormentor.

Still loved the dynamics between the core four, and I really want Jung Hae-in and Gu Kyo-hwan to work together again in a actual comedy. Give them a Midnight Runners kind of script.

Overall the two seasons work together to tell a cohesive story of this pair of D.Ps.

This is on my to-watch list on Netflix, as I've heard really good reviews about it. I haven't even seen S01 yet lmao. So I'll be avoiding any recaps under this.

Just completed all 6 episodes in one night.

Good but not as iconic as Season 1 (maybe because Season 1 hit close with the reality). Season 2 is enjoyable with Junho, Hoyeol, Beomgu and Jiseob joining hands against General Gu Ja-woon.. even though its kind of slower, it allowed me time to absorb and think while watching each episode. Episode 3 is the best with the funny scenes (Junho and Hoyeol chasing the broker around the town) and the heartbreaking story/ending of Nina.

(Just like Season 1), Season 2 also features fabulous the OP and ED songs. And dont forget to wait till mid credit (epilogue) because thats the real ending of Season 2.

I re-watched season 1 just prior to completing season 2.

I agree that it almost felt like two different dramas. The first season was raw and shocking, with almost every episode having its own arc. The second season was more like a serial drama with the exception of episode 3 and was somewhat confusing with several "fake outs." I did like the expansion of the "higher ups" characters, but wished for more focus on the experience of privates.

Episode 3 seemed was extremely well-done, except the connection with "that woman" seemed a bit too contrived. Musical theater star Bae Na Ra's singing was amazing. The arc dealing with an unspoken topic was expertly done.

If a season 3 happens, I would wish for more focus on the experience of the everyday soldier and the TERRIBLE prevalence of hazing and bullying so that change for the better continues.

I loved how realistic this season was. Picking up where we left off with zero changes to the treatment of the trainees. I was actually shocked that there was some accuracy in portraying the fact that not everything would change that easily, especially that end scene when Junho saw the AOS prince(sorry I cant rmb his character's name, he traumatized me as well) from the bus living a normal life despite the pain & suffering he caused (literally he had one whole season dedicated to him)
Makes you think about the fact that we don't really know the people around us and their past.

Aside from that, it was so nice to see Junho & HoYeol again. I loved their relationship in S1 but I was quite sad that we didn't get much scenes with them this season compared to S1. Junho was with Sok Ku's character for one that one entire ep like ??? Then again, this season had a different focal point which was blowing the whistle on the government but I really missed my two best boys :'))))
Also the villains this season straight up annoyed me like HOW were they always one step ahead??? They knew everything our leads were planning and it just got irritating.

I have to say that Curtain Call was such a poignant and beautiful episode. The setting, colours, cinematography, background music, OST, acting & emotions just hit the spot. It was the only time I cried during S2. Holy SHIT whoever wrote that episode needs a raise and all the awards.

This was all very real from my pov. When S1 was showing, I was following the news in Korea about the soldier who had undergone gender reassignment and was fighting the military for recognition and who, on discharge, eventually committed suicide, so I knew where we were going when S2 ep 3 started, and this tragic reality was referenced. It was beautifully done and also heartbreaking, and perhaps a small tribute to the person who suffered so much for who they were.

Both seasons touch on the habitual brutality inflicted on young men who do compulsory military service in a country still on a wartime standing. The question of the State's responsibility to those young men was the big issue raised by D.P.

I don't know if S2 was as good as S1 and I'm not sure that's the most important issue. I just want to see the military face up to its responsibilities and develop a different culture. In general, in both the army and in society at large, bullying needs to be recognised and exposed. I hope Korean families demand a change, for the sake of their sons. I think we'll see another season because we're not done here.

This season felt the same and different from season 1 in the same time.

I liked the fact the season 2 adressed the events of season 1. Army always hide the bully part but in the season 2, it's on a larger scale. It's not anymore in one platoon but by the big names now, making things more epic.

I think Jung Hae-In made Jun-Ho so relatable that it was very hard to watch sometimes. Fortunately, he still got Ho-Yeol by his side to help him.

I liked to see the characters from the season 1 making a cameo like Won Ji-An. I liked the new ones too, Bae Na-Ra was incredible in this role (his episode was really good), Choi Hyun-Wook did really well too.