When corruption spreads throughout the institutions meant to protect people and uphold the law, one man decides to take justice into his own hands. Nam Joo-hyuk (Start-up) stars in the title role of the hard-hitting Kdrama Vigilante.
A student at the Korean National Police University, Kim Ji-yong chafes at the leniency shown to criminals by the justice system while the victims suffer. From the moment he takes retribution on those criminals, he is branded the “Vigilante” by gutsy reporter Choi Mi-ryeo (Kim So-jin). She knows a good story when she sees one and his actions appeal to her viewers. Jo Gang-ok (City Hunter’s Lee Joon-hyuk), vice-chairman of the DK Group, is one of those viewers and the Vigilante’s biggest fan. But not everyone is a fan. Jo Heon (Yoo Ji-tae of Healer) of the Seoul Police Department has other ideas about the Vigilante’s methods and is out to stop him at all costs.
- Series Title: Vigilante (Korean: 비질란테)
- Starring: Nam Joo-hyuk, Yoo Ji-tae, Lee Joon-hyuk, Kim So-jin
- Written by: Lee Min-seop
- Directed by: Choi Jeong-yeol
- Network: Disney+
- Where to watch in the US: Hulu
- Premier Date: October 5, 2023
- # of episodes: 8
- KafeNook Rating: 4.2 sips
Vigilante — !! Spoilers Ahead!!
The character of Vigilante reminds me a bit of Batman – a person with a tragic childhood story who seeks justice against criminals. At that level, the show succeeds in delivering a retribution tale filled with action and suspense. If there is one area where the series is weak, it is Ji-yon’s back story and character arc. Almost every Batman story delves into the deaths of Bruce Wayne’s parents and the resulting scars left on young Bruce that he carries into his life of crime fighting. While Ji-yon’s motivation for becoming the Vigilante is revealed, relating to it is another story.
Food for Thought
Ji-yon is very much a loner. He has friends at the University, but his conversations with them are superficial. He doesn’t have a mother or girlfriend to share his thoughts and feelings with. The only person he truly opens up to is police team leader, Jo Heon. Between fists and punches, his chats with Jo Heon get to the heart of why Ji-yon is so passionate about implementing his own justice. He sees a kinship in Jo Heon and believes he can sway the older man to Ji-yon’s way of thinking. Jo Heon may be the only person in the police force Ji-yon respects.
Ji-yon also respects reporter Choi Mi-ryeo who does not shy away from difficult stories, even if that means putting her life in danger. The reason for Mi-ryeo’s obsession with the Vigilante becomes clear when she tells Jo Heon how her father, an upstanding police officer, was framed. Vice-chairman Jo Gang-ok’s motivations are less clear. Given the superhero decor in his apartment, he may simply want a real-life superhero in the world. He is certainly willing to do anything to make that happen. Ji-yon is right to be suspicious when Gong-ok mimics the Vigilante’s crimes, but he eventually sees that he needs the resources at Gong-ok’s disposal.
Bingability
This is one Kdrama that my husband and I watched together, and I found that I didn’t mind waiting between episodes. Shows like this with intense action sometimes take time to sit. On the one hand, I liked that there were only eight episodes which made Vigilante easy to consume. On the other hand, a few more episodes could have brought out more of Ji-yon’s back story and given me more reason to cheer him on.
Vigilante Ending
Unlike Bloodhounds which lost momentum after episode six, the final episode of Vigilante successfully builds on the previous episodes to deliver a masterful showdown. Ji-yon lurs both those who support him and those who want him dead to the stadium. A massive brawl in close quarters takes place followed by an exciting sequence in the aquifer where the Vole is finally unmasked.
I saw it coming but it was still hard to watch Ji-yon’s friend and fellow student, Min Seon-wook (Lee Seung-woo) take a blade for Ji-yon. Then to learn that he succumbs to his wounds – and is identified posthumously as the Vigilante – is like a punch to the gut. Ji-yon may not be afraid of dying himself, but how does he feel now that his friend has died for his crusade? And – will he and Jo Heon finally be on the same side?
Re-watchability
Given where season 1 of Vigilante leaves off, a season 2 is highly likely. The Vole may be dead, but the Chairman is still calling the shots. As someone seeking justice for the death of his friend, Ji-yong has even more reason to continue his Vigilante ways. Having failed to raise his hand at graduation he might technically not be a police officer, but that won’t stop him using the uniform to seek out information that can bring the Chairman down. Given the chance of a season 2, I can see re-watching season 1 for a refresh.
Vigilante Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Vigilante fits the show nicely. It’s hard to find much about it on the internet but the tone of the music from high energy pieces to those featuring straining vocals (trust…trust…trust) heighten the action and suspense beautifully.
