‘New Recruit 3’ Delivers an Emotional Farewell and Tops Ratings to Close Its Final Chapter
The hit military drama New Recruit 3 wrapped up its third season with an emotional and heartwarming finale that has fans both laughing and tearing up. The final episodes, aired on June 28 and 29 via Genie TV, showed the crew of the Shinhwa Unit rallying together to defend their Battalion Commander, Jo Baek-ho (played by Oh Dae-hwan), facing unjust punishment.
Reaching its highest ratings with 3.3% nationwide and 3.6% in metropolitan areas, New Recruit 3 proved its legendary status as a military-themed series. According to entertainment data tracker FUNdex, the show finished second in overall TV drama rankings in the last week of April, demonstrating its strong fanbase until the end.
One key subplot that moved audiences involved the misunderstanding leading to Jeon Se-gye (Kim Dong-jun) being injured by Moon Bit-na-ri (Kim Yo-han), which brought about intense tension. The Battalion Commander attempted to cover up the issue by manipulating disciplinary proceedings, but Jo Baek-ho stood his ground, refusing to let an innocent recruit take the fall. The united support of the Shinhwa Unit, who submitted a petition on his behalf, led to a reduced sentence.
The show also unraveled Jeon Se-gye’s mysterious outings, revealing that he wasn’t skipping duties for personal pleasure but was being pulled into unofficial tasks by higher-ups. After discovering the truth, the 3rd Platoon reconciled with Se-gye, further underlining the strong bonds between the soldiers.
Adding to the emotional depth, Choi Il-gu (Nam Tae-woo), who returned to base as a sergeant, stole the spotlight with his farewell episode. A surprise discharge party and touching final salute left viewers with a bittersweet memory as he departed the military under pouring rain, holding back tears as comrades bid him goodbye.
The finale also teased the entrance of new recruit Kim Hyun-wook and ended with a surprising look of recognition on Park Min-seok’s (Kim Min-ho) face—hinting at a possible hidden history. The return of Choi Il-gu in a new rank promises more to come, building excitement for future installments.
New actors like Kim Dong-jun, Kim Yo-han, and Oh Dae-hwan successfully integrated with the original cast, upping the drama’s relational dynamics and comedic synergy. Antagonist Seong Yoon-mo (Kim Hyun-gyu) added excitement with layers that raised intrigue, while the romantic subplot between Park Min-joo (Lee Soo-ji) and Im Seong-min (Nam Min-woo) introduced a fresh emotional angle rarely seen in war-centered dramas.
What set this season apart even further were impressive training sequences like combat readiness drills, extreme cold weather training, and mobilization exercises, which added variety and authenticity, striking a nostalgic chord for some and drawing curiosity from others.
With its perfect blend of humor, depth, and camaraderie, New Recruit 3 has proven itself not just as entertainment, but as a heartfelt portrayal of military life—cementing itself as a standout in the genre.
