Vigilante (2023)

When society allows dark justice to take its own course.

Vigilante is another noir series inspired by a webtoon which tells the story of Kim Jiyong, a young man who witnessed the murder of his mother when he was young by a violent individual and suffered the injustice of the law by only sentencing the murderer to 3 years in prison.
Twelve years later, Jiyong finds his mother's murderer who still roams the streets freely with 18 convictions, and he takes justice into his own hands.

We follow Jiyong who becomes a vigilante, reciprocally punishing criminals. I have to say that there is a familiar echo in the cases we are shown and the reality we are experiencing. So many times criminals have been released because the law worked in their favor rather than that of the victims. That's probably why the show is so enticing, it's a sad reflection of reality.

The series also portrays how this initiative is the start of a domino effect on society, where a debate takes place on justice, its application and by whom. The public seems to support his initiatives, to the point where other citizens join in to give justice for the victims, even inspiring a copycat and reducing crime on the streets when criminals turn themselves into the police by fear to face "the Vigilante".

The plot is introduced more broadly with a bigger antagonist in the corrupt police chief and his links with seemingly untouchable CEO and politician who kill people to hide their dark deeds without repercussions.

I must say that Nam Joo Hyuk had a great performance in the role of Jiyong, this character is complex and sometimes even unnerving, he is so righteous that it borders on psychopathy (much like Batman in that sense). His micro expressions are a delight for the eye while his character is a young man of very few words. Although we don't delve much into his background, and the series weighs very little on the emotional side beyond anger, I manage to feel empathy for his character, when he feels terrible pain and loss, or when he screams his rage. He has some scenes that are gripping. Honestly, I hope Nam Joo Hyuk will give us the pleasure of diving into more thriller productions, as much as he's lovely on romcom series, he has potential for more.

As for the rest of the cast, the actor Lee Joon Hyuk was a revelation for me, it was more the script that worked in his favor than the acting itself, but I liked his extravagant and insane character. It's rare to witness a copycat who is not only supportive of the one he's copying even after being rejected, but who is actively helpful. I can only purely enjoy his character for what he is : entertainment. Although I wished they dived deeper in his backstory.
Kim Sojin is also a standout, probably the first time I liked following a noisy reporter, Miryeo. I like that she doesn't let herself be intimidated and like everyone else in this series, she's a little crazy to actively court and protect a violent man but her personal trauma explains it.
The biggest disappointment remains Yoo Jitae, I definitely cannot be convinced by this actor, I have seen him in many series, and his range remains minimal, his acting decent or even bad at times, I remain unconvinced by his characterization of Cho Heon, who only knew how the crack his neck. I know it's to give an unnerving mannerism but Nam Joo Hyuk managed to do that just by tilting his head, in comparison, Yoo Jitae remains bland.

I liked the overall production, with dark tones, great fighting choreographies and realistic sets, the soundtracks are amazing (they need to release those already), and the plot is simple to follow without messy and overly done plotlines.

The only downside would be the lack of emotional depth overall and backstory for the main characters, I had very little care for the characters who died or suffered (aside from Jiyong) and that is probably due to the limited number of episodes but as the ending is hinting the probability of a second season, I think we'll deep dive into some characters stories (specially Cho Kang Ok).

Overall, I can't recommend it enough, it's a very entertaining series and worth your time.

Leia Mais

What an EPIC drama !!

what an epic series. OMG can't wait for the second season. Please I think we all want the same cast. The whole cast was ?.

VIGILANTE is a must-watch for anyone seeking a K-drama that not only delivers thrilling plotlines but also showcases a lead actor at the peak of his craft.

VIGILANTE is a triumph in every sense of the word. It successfully marries an engaging plot with exceptional performances, high-quality production values, and a profound exploration of societal issues. This K-drama not only entertains but also challenges its audience to think critically about the world we live in. VIGILANTE has undoubtedly raised the bar for future K-dramas, setting a standard that will be hard to surpass. A true gem that deserves all the acclaim it receives!

Leia Mais

He will show what is real justice

What is this impenetrable line that holds the balance between justice and vengeance? What is the guarantee that the line forever exists? What happens when someone toes with the line? You know that a drama is intricately complex when it asks these types of questions. And as it may be, the audience may begin to ponder over these very questions, perhaps more as the drama moves along.

Vigilante tells the story of Kim Ji Young, a prospective police officer who adopts the identity of a Vigilante to punish those who have been let off lightly by the law, perpetrators who continue to commit crimes, in an attempt to provide a sense of safety to not only the victims of the crimes, but to the general public.

The drama is efficiently character driven, and there is not one character who is morally white or black, most of all our Vigilante. He is surrounded by characters with an equally ambiguous moral compass, a journalist who cares about ratings as much as the vigilante justice system, a vigilante fanboy who's values don't nearly line up with those of the actual vigilante, and a police officer who serves his own version of vigilantism to catch our dark hero.

When each character performs what they believe is right, a web of chaos is created wherein everyone has to now perfect unprecedented actions to achieve their goals. Beneath it all though, the leads have a common goal, the crux of it all: Justice. While their methods may differ, their morality may sway, they strive to protect the public by performing their own form of justice. This creates conflict and leads to confrontation between the characters where everything they believe in comes into question, until it finally bubbles up to create the complicated connections between the characters.

There were some interesting questions the drama asked, all the while blending it with the quintessential K Drama thriller vibes. Most importantly, the story was gripping and there were no scenes I would categorise as filler/unnecessary. I believe there is much more complexity to the story than they actually showed, sort of like barely scratching the surface, and it will be interesting to see the story play out as a result of Ji Young's state at the end of season 1. Overall, a very solid series in all aspects that I would highly recommend to those who want to get a glimpse of sweet, sweet justice.

Leia Mais

We got an satisfactory ending!!

This is going to be a short and sweet tidbit since I am fresh off finishing the show.

After having a nice buildup of plot, characters, and suspense, I for sure thought we were going to get a terrible cliffhanger ending that would never get a second season. Plus, as someone who hasn't (and doesn't really plan to) read the webtoon - it would be a very anti-climatic and disappointing end to the 8 episodes.
BUT.
All I'm saying in this review is that we got a conclusion, we. got. a. conclusion. A good one, a satisfactory one, and one that does leave room for expanding. (If they so please to do).

I loved the action, the blood, and the personalities of the characters. Especially the fact that everyone was really consistent in the way they acted, not that they don't have character development, but that their actions stayed in line and made sense as t what their character was built up to be.

Do give it a watch, if you like this kind of genre - happy watching people :)

Leia Mais

レビュー

ストーリーは良いですが、時々非常に遅く感じられ、ストーリーは複雑です。私もキャストは良くないと思います。主人公はロマンスドラマや悲しいドラマに最適です。完璧なドラマ、完璧なキャスティング、完璧な演技、完璧な表現、完璧なストーリー、完璧な演出、完璧な音楽、素晴らしい一連の出来事、あらゆる点で最高のシリーズの一つに分類される素晴らしいシリーズディズニーによる2023年の。これは、プロモーション、予算をかけて待つ価値のあるシリーズです。

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Nam Joo-hyuk: The Versatile Actor Who Leaves Audiences in Awe.

Nam Joo-hyuk's acting, He is truly an exceptional talent who brings so much depth to his characters. It's fascinating how effortlessly he portrays different personas, leaving us in awe of his versatility. The second fake vigilante( i forgot his name ) who helped jiyong in the series definitely left us with so many questions, right? i am hoping for a second season that will provide more insights into his background and origins. Nam Joo-hyuk's acting is praiseworthy, and I can't wait to see more amazing performances from him in the future!

His ability to bring authenticity and emotional depth to every character he plays is truly remarkable. Whether he's portraying a complex, troubled soul or a charming and charismatic individual, Nam Joo-hyuk's talent shines through. And those anger scenes? They are so powerful and intense, showcasing his ability to express himself physically and emotionally in a captivating way.

The Vigilante is such a great series, and I wish that it would have been awesome if Seonwook didn't die and if they had exposed the truth in the end. It's those unexpected twists and turns that keep us on the edge of our seats, right? I'm eagerly waiting for a second season.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that the crew of the show hear our wishes and give us another season with the same incredible cast. Nam Joo-hyuk's talent is truly infinite, and I have no doubt that he will continue to captivate us with his performances in the future. So let's stay tuned and eagerly anticipate what's to come!

Leia Mais

The acting was insane. I love it!

This will be put next to "My name".
Kim So-Jin did an excellent job portraying Choi Mi-Ryeo and Lee Joon-Hyuk portrayed Cho Kang Ok. Their talent is brilliant.
I fell in love with Joo Hyuk Nam in "25,21", where he did an amazing job. In this role, where Kim Ji-Yong was so different from Baek I-Jin, we could see how talented he could be.
And Yoo Ji-Tae as Cho He-on, GOD, brilliant.
The fight scenes were insane.

I'm going to leave my favorite lines from each episode here.
Ep. 1:
"I think it's because many criminals think they were caught because of the victims. It seems they blamed the victim, rationalize their behavior, and commit crimes again."
"There is a void in the law. It is often lenient to bad guys who don't deserve this. Now I'll fill that void. This is justice."
Ep. 2:
"Heavens's net. I'm sorry. Forgive." Tao Te Ching
"Don't worry. This isn't the age of Arsene Lupin. The evidence will turn up. And he'll get caught eventually. I guarantee it. People will forget about the Vigilante. I will make sure of it."
Ep. 3:
"The one who breaks the law better than anyone else is being protected by it. The one who obeyed the law better than anyone else wasn't protected in any way. So I thought about it. I think some crimes can be punished by crimes."
Ep. 4:
"If the Vigilante is caught and it turns out he's a steady and righteous person, with a good job and a good reputation, and if he's even young and good-looking, the public will go wild. Beyond our control."
Ep. 5:
The "battle" between The Vigilante and Cho Heon was amazing. There are so many good lines.
"People like you become monsters eventually."
"And that's why I feel sorry for you. [...] If you slightly change direction, you could become such a great police officer."
Ep. 6: "I don't care what the world calls me! Because this is my calling. The calling that's perfect for me, because I have nothing to lose! It to become a devil to kill other devils."
"Don't just talk about it and show me that the law won't let them have their way and will punish them! Show me your justice really exists!"
What a great fight, Mr. Cho Heon.
Ep. 7:
"To prove himself a man beat his head against a wall and tried."
Ep. 8:
"I'll be live what you're doing... is the right thing."
Ahh, this scene broke my heart.
"Unclench your fists. This is what you accomplished. You don't need to prove it. Because the proposition was a lie.[...] Let the law punish him.[...] I'll prove to you that despite its inconsistencies, the law ultimately does what's right."
That being said: SESON 2?!

Leia Mais

THIS WILL SNATCH YOUR WIG

Just finished the last few episodes and I NEED MORE!!!!

I need a season 2. Nam Joohyuks comeback from the military is ICONIC. One of his best roles, and best K-Dramas I watched this year. Truly no K-Drama had me quite in this type of grip.

There is only one negative thing i’ve got to say about it, and its that I can’t find the OST or Soundtrack of this show!! The outro they used in ep2 is AMAZING. I NEED THE SONG!!! I tried to shazam it and searched for it but nowhere to be found. So if anyone knows…let me know.

But once again, this was such a good 8 episode drama. Usually the best K-Dramas tend to be 8 episodes, which is so frustrating! I don’t think anything has been confirmed for another season but I truly hope they don’t let this show die.

Gripping storyline, acting and characters. Nam Joohyuk has always been one of my favourite actors so seeing him in this type of role was exhilarating.

Lots of great actors in general. I’m in love!

Please watch it!! You won’t regret!!!

Leia Mais

Fighting for justice in an injustice world

Vigilante is based on a webtoon with the same name. Prior to watching this, I've read the webtoon to get better understanding but stopped halfway after I completed the series.

To date, this is, perhaps, one of the best miniseries in k-drama land. It blends action, thriller, psychological, and crime genre perfectly. It uses 'fighting for justice in my own way even though it's wrong' trope heavily. We see the ML (Kim Ji-yong) had a traumatic past as his mother was murdered and the murderer got a short-sentence in prison. After ML grew up, he came across the murderer again and beat him brutally. At last, he made up his mind to become a vigilante (a serial killer, to be precise) - to protect the world and the innocent people from injustice by dealing with the criminals with his own hands since the law couldn't be trusted anymore.

Nam Joo-hyuk portrays Kim Jiyong seamlessly and expresses various emotions versatilely - he's as good as a pyscho, I really love it. Yoo Ji-tae also does well as Cho Heon - a detective who was sent to arrest the vigilante. I'm really impressed by Kim So-jin - the one who acts as Choi Mi-ryeo - she's maybe some kind of lunatic, but she still got her own sense of justice and was willing to help the vigilante as she could as possible. Lastly, Lee Joon-hyuk as Cho Kang-ok is a great fan and a big support of vigilante as well - like his funny banter with Ji-yong...

I've no more words to describe it anymore - but yes, this dark tale deserves more attention from the public and the rating could've gone higher. After Vigilante, another miniseries, which is 'A Killer Paradox', tries to duplicate it, but falls short compared to this one. If you love pyscho plot with a blend of action thriller genre, you can give this a shot. Warning: Lots of bloody and violent scenes, don't try it at home.

Leia Mais

This show has what other K-drama doesn't have!

After Evillive, I've seen the trend of shorter drama, which I really like, coz it means

1. No unnecessary flashback or draggy story of ML past, just enough to give context

2. No filter scenes or cringey romance that only makes thriller more complicated than exciting

3. No "save me" princess FL in it

It's a pure 100% thriller, focusing on plot, story, action, this is how thriller should be done!!

I really love the pairing of Jiyong-Kang ok! Kang ok is like a big kid, so funny to watch. If you're pissed by FL in 1st episode like I do, stay on. She turned out to be a real crazy bitch you'll come to love for her bad-ass-ness!

I also love how Jo Heon in the end, and it's funny how he is like a korean hulk in this show lol...

All the casts come together to play their part, leading to a mega ending, its very impressive!

The ending is also unexpected, very well-done, although I am also sad when Seon Wook died, but at same time I am touched by his love for his friend and I believe this is what he'd have wanted as well, to protect and support Vigilante, right till the end.

This is cherry on the cake. Ji Yoing is SO handsome! It makes it easy to watch

It's really one of my favorite show where I don't have to fast forward at all!

The only thing is....my personal though is that such dark hero concept is sth that I would be happy in a fictional world only. In reality, I still think no murder can be justified

That aside, go and watch the show.

Leia Mais

A common man's take on Justice

An adrenaline rush, Vigilante stands as one of the better originals Disney+ has put out this year. Not a single second of the K-drama is never really wasted on filler or unnecessary scenes.
Although not exactly an innovative premise, Vigilante is still worth a watch: if not for the expertly choreographed fight scenes and masterful cinematography, then probably to reflect on the judicial system and what it truly stands for. 
The acting was decent and the action was good which was based more on suspense and violence. The story was great. The characters were diverse and interesting l, although the message delivery could have been more impactful.

My Rating : 7/10

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