ENA’s original military comedy ‘New Recruit 3’ has made an explosive return, topping viewership charts and surpassing major competitors such as tvN’s newly launched Resident Playbook and Netflix’s Karma, according to Consumer Insight’s 3rd week of April OTT viewer report.
What’s In “New Recruit”?
Based on a popular animation series of the same name, New Recruit 3 is a hyper-realistic military comedy that portrays the everyday lives and emotional struggles of conscripts with sharp humor and relatable storytelling. Since its first season, the series has gained acclaim for its well-drawn characters, grounded scenarios, and biting satire of Korean military life.
In Season 1, viewers were introduced to Park Min-seok (played by Kim Min-ho), a so-called “military elite” thanks to his father’s status as a general. Despite preferential treatment on his first day, Park’s clueless behavior and clumsy attempts to fit in created comedic tension as he learned to adapt and build camaraderie.
Season 2 expanded on interpersonal conflicts within the unit, showing Min-seok’s deeper emotional growth. Now in Season 3, the story follows him as he prepares for promotion to corporal, navigating new responsibilities and changing dynamics with his fellow soldiers.
The latest season also features a stronger ensemble cast, including Kim Dong-jun, Oh Dae-hwan, Kim Yo-han, and Lee Soo-ji, bringing new energy and dramatic tension to the narrative. Episode 3 introduced a surprising twist, showing the once notorious villain Sung Yoon-mo tearfully praying and displaying genuine effort, prompting viewers to question his motives and character arc.
Realistic Military Life, Emotional Twists, and Cast Chemistry Win Over Viewers
A possible romantic subplot was also hinted at between Park Min-seok’s sister, Park Min-joo, and fellow soldier Im Sung-min during a reservist training scene, raising anticipation for future episodes.
Director Min Jin-gi emphasized the show’s realism, sharing that scenes were filmed in harsh conditions, including on-site shoots in -10°C weather. He explained:
“To capture the realism of this season, we filmed at a front-line base during extreme cold weather, with temperatures dropping to minus 10 degrees Celsius. The charm of ‘Duty After School 3’ lies in its relatable, everyday characters experiencing unique situations and emotions within the military setting. These are portrayed with humor as they clash, bond, and grow together.”
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Screenwriter Yoon Ki-young added that the team consulted with active-duty soldiers and military officials to ensure every scenario could realistically happen in the army. He also revealed that Season 3 explores previously untouched themes and possibilities grounded in real-life military experiences.
The most recent episode achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 2.3%, marking the series’ highest to date. Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as “Too real for anyone who’s been to the army, PTSD level,” and “1000% realism.”
Director Min shared in a closing remark:
“Wrapping up filming felt like finishing three rounds of military service. It was physically demanding, but also full of memories that I’ll never forget.”
New Recruit 3 airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 10 PM on ENA, with exclusive free VOD available through KT Genie TV immediately after broadcast. The show is also available for streaming on TVING.
