The K-Drama That Actually Traumatized And Haunted Its Lead Actor Jung Hae In

In the latest episode of “Donor Hyeong,” a YouTube series on comedian Shin Dong Yup‘s Zzanbro channel, actor Jung Hae In appeared to promote his new K-Movie, I, the Executioner.

While talking about the movie and how difficult it must have been to shoot, Shin brought up D.P.—Jung Hae In’s beloved Netflix original. Jung immediately admitted that D.P. was, indeed, such a stressful show to work on.

Shin Dong Yup: When I watched it, I thought, “How much are they paying him [for him to be doing this]?!”

Shin Dong Yup: I’ve seen your interviews where you said, “D.P. was challenging.”

Jung Hae In: Yeah. Not only is the plot dark, but the core message of the series is serious. And… I had to shave my hair again.

D.P., short for the “Deserter Pursuit” unit of the Military Police, is a webtoon-based K-Drama that received global viewership—not only for its star-studded cast but also for its gritty plot portraying the South Korean mandatory military service.

According to Jung, D.P. became so traumatic that he would have nightmares of enlisting all over again. The shoot “took such a toll” on Jung that eventually, on set, Jung would start making mistakes—like responding with his real name and not the character’s name.

I had a lot of nightmares while filming that. I dreamt that I had to re-enlist. It took such a toll on me that, when on set, when I had to say my character’s name, like, ‘Private An Jun Ho,’ I’d say ‘Private Jung Hae In’ instead. Everything felt so real and it took me back to when I served.

— Jung Hae In

What do Korean men think about D.P. and how realistic it is? Read more about it here.

Is “D.P.” Realistic? Here’s What Korean Men Think About The K-Drama’s Portrayal Of Military Service