Military LGBTQ+ Rights Conflict... Netflix's 'D.P.2' Reflects a More Intense Reality

Netflix 'D.P.2' depicts LGBTQ+ hate conflicts
Reality harsher than movies... Intense conflicts at queer festivals

Editor's Note On July 28, the entire new Netflix original series 'D.P. Season 2' (6 episodes) was released. Like its predecessor, 'D.P.2' depicts the story of the Military Police Deserter Pursuit Unit (D.P.) members Junho (played by Jung Hae-in) and Hoyul (played by Koo Kyo-hwan) as they continuously confront the unchanged realities and injustices. One episode addresses LGBTQ+ rights. A soldier who was bullied by his peers ultimately decides to desert. How do readers feel about LGBTQ+ rights in the military? This article contains spoilers.

One episode of the Netflix original series 'D.P. Season 2' deals with LGBTQ+ rights. Jang Sung-min (Nina), played by actress Bae Na-ra, is a talented actor who majored in musical theater but is mocked as being LGBTQ+, leading her to ultimately decide to desert. Some viewers see this episode as reminiscent of the late Corporal Byeon Hee-soo, who underwent gender reassignment surgery, was forcibly discharged, and later took her own life. Although the storyline and Byeon’s case differ, opinions suggest that the conflicts surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in the military are similar.

Corporal Byeon underwent gender reassignment surgery in January 2020 and was forcibly discharged. In February of the following year, before the first hearing of the administrative lawsuit to cancel the discharge, she took her own life. In December last year, the Army denied recognizing her death as a service-related death, stating there was no significant causal relationship with her duties. However, the National Human Rights Commission later recommended a reexamination, stating that the flawed review distorted social evaluations of the victim.

Actor Bae Nara played Jang Sung-min (Nina). She is a talented actress majoring in musical theater but faces criticism questioning if she is a sexual minority. Photo by Netflix Original Series 'D.P. Season 2'

Views on LGBTQ+ individuals are sharply divided. Kim, a man in his 30s working in an office, said, "LGBTQ+ rights in the military are difficult to understand. I’m not saying human rights shouldn’t be guaranteed, but I ask for respect for the military’s unique nature. It seems like a matter of military discipline." Another office worker in his 20s, Choi, said, "LGBTQ+ rights are always controversial. However, when it comes to human rights, which are basic rights, considering them controversial is problematic."

There is also conflict surrounding queer festivals. In June, a survey by Korea Research on perceptions of queer festivals and queer content found that a majority of the public opposed holding queer festivals. According to the survey conducted from June 9 to 12, 54% of respondents opposed the holding of queer culture festivals, while 21% supported them. Compared to a survey conducted before last year’s queer culture festival (52% opposed, 23% supported), opposition increased by 2 percentage points.

Opposition to the festival was predominant across all generations, especially high among conservatives (70%) and Protestant Christians (76%). Even among progressives, opposition (42%) was 8 percentage points higher than support (34%). Only 24% of respondents thought of the festival as "an event anyone can enjoy regardless of sexual orientation," indicating that the majority of the public perceives queer festivals as closed events meant only for LGBTQ+ people.

Queer Festival held at Seoul Plaza. Photo by Yonhap News

Across all age groups, more than half perceived queer festivals as events for LGBTQ+ people. Regarding the location of queer parades, 42% said they should be held in suburban areas rather than downtown, which was more than the 29% who said holding them downtown was acceptable. Regarding permission to use public squares for queer parades, 59% said that considering the special nature of queer parades, permits and conditions should be applied, which was higher than the 22% who viewed this as discriminatory administration infringing on freedom of assembly.

Although various queer content is gaining popularity, public opinion on queer content showed that 43% believe queer content can form incorrect perceptions about homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgender people, while 35% gave positive evaluations, saying queer content helps people understand and empathize with those of diverse sexual orientations.

Negative views were higher among men (50%), conservatives (56%), and Protestant Christians (63%), while empathetic views were higher among those with favorable attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people (74%), those who have LGBTQ+ acquaintances (55%), and progressives (51%). This survey was conducted over four days from June 9 to 12, targeting 1,000 men and women aged 18 and older nationwide via a web survey (URL sent via text message and email). The sampling error, assuming random sampling, is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, and the response rate was 13.5%.

Amid ongoing conflicts surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, experts recommend an altruistic attitude toward others. Kim Doo-sik, a professor at Kyungpook National University School of Law and author of 'It’s Okay to Be Uncomfortable,' said in an interview with the Korean Gay Rights Movement Organization Chingusai, "Human rights issues apply to everyone, whether heterosexual or homosexual. Everyone has their own secrets and pains. Sexual orientation is not something one can decide or change by effort, so from that perspective, it is understandable and not something to be uncomfortably received."