Vigilante (TV series)

*Vigilante*
Vigilante
	Promotional poster
Hangul	비질란테
Revised Romanization	Bijillante
McCune–Reischauer	Pijillant'e
Genre	Action thriller
Created by	Moon Yoo-seok
Based on	Vigilante [ko]; by Kim Gyu-sam [ko]
Written by	Lee Min-seop
Directed by	Choi Jeong-yeol
Starring	Nam Joo-hyuk; Yoo Ji-tae; Lee Joon-hyuk; Kim So-jin;
Music by	Kim Tae-seong
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	8 (list of episodes)
Production
Producer	Michelle Kwon
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	40–50 minutes
Production companies	Studio N; Beyond Story;
Original release
Network	Disney+
Release	November 8, 2023 –; present

Vigilante (Korean: 비질란테) is a South Korean television series created by Moon Yoo-seok. The series stars Nam Joo-hyuk, Yoo Ji-tae, Lee Joon-hyuk and Kim So-jin. It is based on the Naver webtoon of the same name.^[3] The first season aired on Disney+ from November 8 to 29, 2023, in selected regions. It is also available for streaming on Hulu in the United States. A second season has been confirmed. Vigilante premiered at the On Screen section of the 28th Busan International Film Festival on October 5, 2023, where three of eight episodes were screened.^[4]

Premise

Kim Ji-yong, a student at the police academy in South Korea, becomes the "Vigilante" at night and punishes criminals, who receive light sentences for heinous crimes. Ji-yong's actions catch the attention of Jo Heon, the head of an investigation team. Jo Heon initiates an operation to capture the Vigilante after learning about him through Choi Mi-ryeo, a news reporter, who covers the Vigilante's activities.

Cast

Main

Nam Joo-hyuk as Kim Ji-yong^[5]

A Korean National Police University student, and the "Vigilante".

Yoo Ji-tae as Jo Heon^[6]

The team leader of the regional investigation unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and known as the "Physical Monster".

Lee Joon-hyuk as Jo Gang-ok^[6]

The vice-chairman of DK Group. He is a fan of the Vigilante, and knows Ji-yong is the Vigilante. He wants to build the Vigilante as a real hero.

Kim So-jin as Choi Mi-ryeo^[6]

A reporter of broadcast station MBS. She sources and reports on news of the Vigilante.

Supporting

Police

Lee Seung-woo as Min Seon-wook

A model student of the Korean National Police University, and Ji-yong's good friend. He was a judo athlete.

Jo Han-joon as Hwang Joon

A student of the Korean National Police University, and a good friend of Ji-yong and Seon-wook.

Kwon Hae-hyo as Lee Jun-yeop

A professor of the Korean National Police University.

Lee Hae-young as Eom Jae-hyub^[7]

A police chief who was later transferred to become the principal of the Korean National Police University.

Won Hyun-jun as Nam Yeong-il

Heon's replacement as the new team leader of the regional investigation unit.

Others

Yoon Kyung-ho as Kim Sam-doo

The CEO of Sewool Future Resources. He was acquitted for instigating murders.

Shin Jung-geun as Mr. Bang

A killer who is experienced and agile.

Yun Jae-wook as Seo Doo-yeop

A criminal.

Kim Cheol-yoon as Goo Seong-yeol^[8]

An underling of Seo Doo-yeop.

Kim Dae-gon as Jang Soon-do^[9]

Special appearance

Jeon Bae-soo as Seok Seung-cheol

The secretary general of the Blue House, and a close associate of Jae-hyub.

Episodes

No.	Title	Original release date
1	"Episode 1"	November 8, 2023 (2023-11-08)
A young Ji-yong witness his mother's death committed by a thug named Choi Sung-soo. Sung-soo was held guilty, but was given a small sentence due to fake evidence. Ji-yong grows up to become a student at National Police Agency and learns that Sung-soo still commits crimes. Ji-yong tracks down Sung-soo and brutally thrashes him. This makes Ji-yong to track down and scare the criminals, who gets being released from prison after being given smaller sentences. Choi Mi-ryeo, a broadcast reporter at Repo25h, learns about Ji-yong's vigilante activities during the weekends and dubs him as Vigilante. The Vigilante story starts creating buzz for the channel and Mi-ryeo decides to double down on it. With no activities of Vigilante in the weekends, Mi-ryeo broadcasts an old case in which a perpetrator called Jeong Deok-heung had sexually assaulted So-yoon, but was given a small sentence. Ji-yeong learns about Deok-heung and decides to track him down. After facing embarrassment from the society, Deok-heung learns that So-yoon changed her name and is living in an apartment. He tracks her down and tries to kill him, but Ji-yong manages to save So-yoon and brutally thrashes him. Ji-yong makes Deok-heung to write an apology letter and leaves the place.
2	"Episode 2"	November 8, 2023 (2023-11-08)
Mi-ryeo baits the Vigilante with more information on the criminals on REPO25h.
3	"Episode 3"	November 15, 2023 (2023-11-15)
Copycat crimes emerge nationwide, and Jo Heon and Mi-ryeo chase after the Vigilante.
4	"Episode 4"	November 15, 2023 (2023-11-15)
The fake Vigilante suggests joining forces, and Heon closes in on the Vigilante's identity.
5	"Episode 5"	November 22, 2023 (2023-11-22)
Mi-ryeo reports on Sewool's alleged crimes, and Ji-yong and Heon come into conflict.
6	"Episode 6"	November 22, 2023 (2023-11-22)
Ji-yong and Gang-ok help Mi-ryeo continue digging into Kim Sam-doo and the Vole.
7	"Episode 7"	November 29, 2023 (2023-11-29)
The Vole tries to bury the case by sacrificing Kim Sam-doo, but Sam-oo retaliates with all he has.
8	"Episode 8"	November 29, 2023 (2023-11-29)
Ji-yong gathers everyone involved in one location, and the final battle begins.

Production

Studio N announced its plan to remake the webtoon Vigilante [ko] by Kim Gyu-sam [ko] into a film in September 2019.^[2] Nam Joo-hyuk was cast to play lead role in the series in April 2022.^[10] Yoo Ji-tae gained 20 kg of weight to realistically portray Jo Heon, the head of the metropolitan investigation team chasing Vigilante.^[11]

It was confirmed that a second season is in production.^[12]

Release

After its premier at the 28th Busan International Film Festival on October 5, Vigilante was released on November 8 in a total of 8 episodes with two episodes available per week every Wednesday.^[13]

Accolades

Award	Year	Category	Nominee(s) / work(s)	Result	Ref.
Seoul International Drama Awards	2024	Outstanding Korean Drama	Vigilante	Pending	^[14]

References

^ Lee, Gyu-lee (November 6, 2023). "Disney+ original 'Vigilante' to tell dark hero tale". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Kim, Bo-ram (September 23, 2019). "Kakao jumps into filmmaking industry". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
^ Jaehwa, Bernardo (November 7, 2023). "'Perfectly cut out for this role': Nam Joo-hyuk displays duality in 'Vigilante'". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
^ Ramachandran, Naman (August 24, 2023). "'Parasite' Oscar Winner's Directorial Debut Among Busan's Korean Cinema Today, On Screen Strand Selections". Variety. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
^ Yoon, Hyun-ji (April 7, 2023). 남주혁X유지태 '비질란테' 하반기 공개 확정 [공식입장] [Nam Joo-hyuk X Yoo Ji-tae 'Vigilante' confirmed to be released in the second half of the year [Official position]]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023 – via Naver.
^ ^a ^b ^c Hyeon, Hye-seon (November 6, 2023). '비질란테' 남주혁→이준혁, 韓 다크히어로 전 세계 흥행 조준(종합) [SE★현장] ['Vigilante' Nam Joo-hyuk → Lee Jun-hyuk, Korean dark hero aims for global box office success (comprehensive) [SE★site]]. The Seoul Economic Daily [ko] Star (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023 – via Naver.
^ Ahn, Eun-jae (November 9, 2023). 비질란테' 이해영, 남주혁 뒤 쫓는 치안정감 역 첫 등장...강렬 임팩트 ['Vigilante' Lee Hae-young to play Chi-Seong-gam who chases after Nam Joo-hyuk appeared first...Strong impact]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Naver.
^ Ahn, Byung-gil (November 9, 2023). '비질란테' 김철윤, 까불이 양아치 변신 ['Vigilante' Kim Cheol-yoon transforms into a grumpy bully]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023 – via Naver.
^ "김대곤, 연극 '세상친구' 출연 확정…장르 불문 맹활약". Newsen. August 5, 2024.
^ Moon, Ji-yeon (April 20, 2022). [단독] '2521' 국민 첫사랑 남주혁, 차기작은 '비질란테'..연속 흥행 도전 [[Exclusive] '2521' National First Love Nam Joo-hyuk, next film 'Vigilante'..Continuous box office challenge]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023 – via Naver.
^ Lee, Mi-ji (October 19, 2023). 비질란테' 유지태, 20kg 증량..괴물 형사 변신 "韓히어로물 확신·기대 있었다 [Vigilante' Yoo Ji-tae gains 20 kg and transforms into a monster detective "I was confident and looking forward to a Korean hero film]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^ Hwang, So-young (July 19, 2024). [단독] 남주혁·유지태·김소진 출연 '비질란테' 시즌2 제작 [[Exclusive] Nam Joo-hyuk, Yoo Ji-tae, Kim So-jin Starring 'Vigilante' Season 2 in Production] (in Korean). JTBC. Retrieved July 19, 2024 – via Naver.
^ Yoon, Hyun-ji (September 25, 2023). 남주혁, 낮에는 경찰대생 밤에는 '비질란테'...11월 8일 공개 [공식입장] [Nam Joo-hyuk, police academy student by day and 'Vigilante' by night... Released on November 8 [Official position]]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023 – via Naver.
^ Lim Jae-seong (May 29, 2024). 올해 서울드라마어워즈 역대 최다 출품…48개국 346편 [This year's Seoul Drama Awards has the largest number of entries ever... 346 episodes from 48 countries] (in Korean). KBS. Retrieved May 31, 2024.