The Disney+ original series 'Vigilante', which has recently become a hot topic, is a work produced independently by Studio N, a subsidiary of Naver Webtoon, without a co-production company. Studio N has mostly presented works produced in collaboration with domestic production companies. This year, it is attracting attention in that it has improved its production capabilities by releasing a work that it has been producing in-house for several years. 'Vigilante', which is based on the webtoon of the same name, tells the story of Kim Ji-yong (Nam Joo-hyuk), who is a model police student who protects the law during the day, but who lives as a vigilante at night and personally judges criminals who have escaped the law. It is known that Studio N has been planning and producing movies and dramas since 2018, and it has received attention from fans of the original work as well as the industry. After its first release last November, it ranked first in the top 10 TV shows in four Asian countries, attracting the attention of global viewers, and the efforts of about five years have borne fruit.
[ARTICLE] '"Vigilante' was born because of the sad reality... I wish it didn't exist."
Director Choi Jeong-yeol, who directed this drama, said in an interview, "I thought that stories like this keep coming out because there are parts that the law cannot fill."
Director Choi continued, “I created the story with the idea that a person like this (Kim Ji-yong) would not exist in the world.”
As the director said, the main character, Jiyong Kim, at first glance appears to be a cheerful character condemning criminals, but personally, he is a person with a sad story.
Kim Ji-yong is frustrated that his mother died after being assaulted by a large man when he was young, but the perpetrator was sentenced to a light sentence of 3 years and 6 months in prison. The court sets a light sentence on the grounds that the perpetrator is remorseful and did not intend to kill.
In particular, unlike in the original work, scenes where Kim Ji-yong feels pleasure from beating up criminals are heavily featured, the drama emphasizes the fact that he is driven by his firm convictions.
Director Choi explained, "I somewhat toned down Kim Ji-yong's psychopathic side," and "Because he is a character whose beliefs are an important point, and I thought that should be highlighted."
Disney+'s original series 'Vigilante' is receiving rave reviews from fans around the world, making it a hot topic. Disney+ reported on the 4th that 'Vigilante' is attracting great attention as a Korean-style dark hero film that has captured the hearts of fans not only in Korea but around the world.
A solid story that keeps you on the edge of your seat even for a moment, characters delicately drawn with great performances from the actors, and even a new perspective on law and justice. All elements of 'Vigilante' enthused subscribers from around the world, once again proving the power of a well-made series.
A major British online media outlet said, “A clever production that will serve as an example for other superhero films. Following ‘Moving’ and ‘The Worst Evil’, Disney+ has proven to be the cradle of excellent Korean content” (Digital Spy), heaping praise.
With the enthusiastic response from global subscribers showing no signs of cooling down, expectations are high that 'Vigilante' will once again continue the K-content syndrome.
[ARTICLE] ‘Vigilante’ director: “The reason why Nam Joo-hyuk didn’t salute at the end, season 2…”
Some viewers expressed concern that the ending in which Kim Ji-yong was not arrested could rationalize personal revenge. Regarding this, director Choi Jeong-yeol said, "I was a little cautious, but I decided on an 8-part series and wanted to quickly make the work itself like a movie. I wanted to develop it by adding the theme that the webtoon wanted to convey at each ending. A lot of this content will be included in the 8-part series. I thought a lot about whether it would be possible. It was a long design process that may not be included in everything here, but it may feel that way if the next season comes out. The ending in which Jiyong does not salute after (Min) Seonwook (Lee Seungwoo) dies is included in the system. “You might think it was a rebellion against the government, but I also thought there were concerns about whether Vigilante activities should continue after Seon-wook’s death,” he explained.
When asked about the possibility of season 2, he replied, “(If we do season 2), we will have to give an ending to season 1. I think it would be good if Jiyong’s dilemma and worries were included.”
[ARTICLE] Regarding the reason for casting Nam Joo-hyuk as Kim Ji-yong's character based on the webtoon, director Choi Jeong-yeol said, "I also had a desire to see a new face of Vigilante in addition to the familiar image he had played so far. Considering that, I thought he was the most suitable person. Webtoon Kim Ji-yong is short, but I thought it came more from the inside rather than the outside appearance. So I didn't think, 'Is he too tall?'" he said. He continued, "Isn't Kim Ji-yong a character with a double side? In Police Academy, actor Nam Joo-hyuk was always good at this role, so I wanted to bring in the other side of it. I felt like actor Nam Joo-hyuk's deer-like eyes suddenly changed. I imagined what it would be like to have it, but the process of actually preparing, thinking about the character of Jiyong, and pulling it off was surprising and admirable. I learned boxing and went to action school for the work, and perhaps because I used to play basketball, I used my body very well. High-difficulty action. “There were a lot of challenges, but I enjoyed every moment while watching them silently practicing and putting it together,” he praised.
He also revealed the points he had to worry about when adapting the webtoon's Kim Ji-yong into a live-action version. Regarding Kim Ji-yong's psychopathic temperament being neutralized compared to the webtoon, director Choi Jeong-yeol said, "It is true that the psychopathic side was neutralized. I thought the character of Kim Ji-yong was a character who spoke about law and justice with his own beliefs, and that was the most important point." "I thought that it had more thematic character. I felt that the psychopathic part was also attractive, but I thought it would be better to cut it out in order to save the thematic aspects," he explained the reason.
How did Kim Ji-yong define and direct personal revenge? Director Choi Jeong-yeol said, "Actually, I think it was very complicated and subtle. Personally, I thought it was a sad thing. When I was making the series, I actually thought it was a sad thing that a character like this exists. There are parts that the law cannot fill, so stories like this don't exist. “I thought it was coming out. Basically, I think I made it with the hope that Kim Ji-yong would not exist in the world,” he said.
[ARTICLE] Director Choi Jeong-yeol “Nam Joo-hyuk was called ‘Vigilante’ in the military”
Director Choi Jeong-yeol praised Nam Joo-hyuk, who played Kim Ji-yong, the protagonist of 'Vigilante', saying, "The way he changed from his deer-like eyes to taking action was surprising and admirable."
In the play, Nam Joo Hyuk was well-received for completing refreshing actions with wide shoulders and long limbs. Director Choi said, “I often communicate with Joo-hyuk by phone or text, and I heard that he is called ‘Vigilante’ in the military. “I was proud for no reason,” he said. When asked about season 2, he said, “I wish I could do it as a director. However, he replied, “It’s not like I’m thinking alone, so I’m still cautious.”
"A big twist for a playful boy... Nam Joo-hyuk's acting transformation in 'Vigilante'"
The person who brought a pleasant unfamiliarity to Nam Joo-hyuk was Kim Ji-yong of Disney+'s 'Vigilante'. This is because Nam Joo-hyuk's face, wearing the mask of Kim Ji-yong, a police student during the day and a Vigilante at night, was engraved with a subtle madness and unfulfilled emptiness that had never been seen before. Nam Joo-hyuk shows the ambiguous border between good and evil in the process of his unique cheerfulness and sharp coolness intertwining. As he listens to the news about criminals committing atrocities, his fists, which were clenched, are stretched out in front of the criminals. In addition, Kim Ji-yong's expressionless eyes, seen through the deeply pressed hood, glow as if blood vessels will burst in front of those who have been punished but show no remorse.
In episode 5 of 'Vigilante', under an overpass, Jo Heon and Vigilante Kim Ji-yong name each other's thoughts on 'justice'. Jiyong Kim said, “If there is a person who destroys the lives of others, shows no remorse even after receiving leniency, and is released to make the same mistake again, is it right to do so if you can save the lives of more good people by depriving that one person of their human rights? “Is this wrong?” he asks Jo Heon in a blood boiling voice.
Nam Joo-hyuk showed unbreakable venom by glaring at Yoo Ji-tae with unwavering eyes even though he was covered in blood. Looking back on Nam Joo-hyuk's filmography, I think this is probably the first time I've seen this level of venom.
The sight of Nam Joo-hyuk staring at himself in the mirror while wearing a police academy uniform, and the way Nam Joo-hyuk's eyes become more empty instead of pure as time passes, are impressive.
Just as there are various portraits of youth, wouldn’t Nam Joo-hyuk be able to express youth with new faces? I think I saw that possibility in Kim Ji-yong's eyes in 'Vigilante'.
"Disney+ K-drama review: Vigilante – thrilling crime series starring Nam Joo-hyuk that explores the different sides of justice doesn’t lose steam"
Korean dramas tend to open strongly. New characters and storylines are then continually added to keep up momentum – but even the best shows can struggle to juggle all these new pieces as they get added to the mix. Disney+’s Vigilante certainly came out of the gate strongly when it debuted its first three episodes to acclaim at this year’s Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, with vigorous set pieces and punchy pacing. At the end of the month, all these elements came together in a largely satisfying climax as Nam Joo-hyuk’s Vigilante (also known as Kim Ji-yong) faced off with each side of the justice system in a bare-fisted dust-up in the murky sewers underneath the city. The philosophising adds a nourishing layer to the show, but at the end of the day Vigilante is still very much pulp fiction. It comes alive in its set pieces and characters lean in to caricature for effect.
Like many recent streaming series, this one leaves the door open for a season 2 and, for once, this actually makes sense.
Regarding the continued positive reviews after the release of 'Vigilante', Yoo Ji-tae said, "It's always like that, but this work was fun. I wish a season 2 would be made, so it's a happy story for me. “It’s not bad to get a good response this time and work on the next work, but in a way, I think it’s what I wish for as a colleague to form a team and work on the next work as is,” he said.
Regarding the physical comparison with Nam Joo-hyuk, who co-starred in this work, “In the original work, Kim Ji-yong had a dwarf physique. Nam Joo-hyuk is similar in height to me. He loves sports and is good at it. He was a bit surprised when he first saw it. As if he had already become Batman, he saw the finished Vigilante. In that case, Jo Heon should have overwhelming physical strength, but I thought it was a big problem. So he thought he would have to increase his dosage even more than expected. And Nam Joo-hyuk was cool. He thought he could attract overseas fans. And our two shots were cool. “I thought he could compete with overseas dark heroes.”
When asked about his satisfaction with the results of ‘Vigilante’, Yoo Ji-tae said, “I am satisfied with the results of the drama. Because they are crying out for season 2. Even if season 2 doesn't make it, I think it's a valuable work just because I did my best. “All works are precious,” he replied, and about the scene he loves most in the drama, “There is the ending of Part 5 and the scene where Kim Ji-yong’s values and Jo Heon’s values collide."
7
Cr: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/011/0004270737
Director Choi Jeong-yeol, who directed this drama, said in an interview, "I thought that stories like this keep coming out because there are parts that the law cannot fill."
Director Choi continued, “I created the story with the idea that a person like this (Kim Ji-yong) would not exist in the world.”
As the director said, the main character, Jiyong Kim, at first glance appears to be a cheerful character condemning criminals, but personally, he is a person with a sad story.
Kim Ji-yong is frustrated that his mother died after being assaulted by a large man when he was young, but the perpetrator was sentenced to a light sentence of 3 years and 6 months in prison. The court sets a light sentence on the grounds that the perpetrator is remorseful and did not intend to kill.
In particular, unlike in the original work, scenes where Kim Ji-yong feels pleasure from beating up criminals are heavily featured, the drama emphasizes the fact that he is driven by his firm convictions.
Director Choi explained, "I somewhat toned down Kim Ji-yong's psychopathic side," and "Because he is a character whose beliefs are an important point, and I thought that should be highlighted."
Cr: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/001/0014370923
Disney+'s original series 'Vigilante' is receiving rave reviews from fans around the world, making it a hot topic. Disney+ reported on the 4th that 'Vigilante' is attracting great attention as a Korean-style dark hero film that has captured the hearts of fans not only in Korea but around the world.
A solid story that keeps you on the edge of your seat even for a moment, characters delicately drawn with great performances from the actors, and even a new perspective on law and justice. All elements of 'Vigilante' enthused subscribers from around the world, once again proving the power of a well-made series.
A major British online media outlet said, “A clever production that will serve as an example for other superhero films. Following ‘Moving’ and ‘The Worst Evil’, Disney+ has proven to be the cradle of excellent Korean content” (Digital Spy), heaping praise.
With the enthusiastic response from global subscribers showing no signs of cooling down, expectations are high that 'Vigilante' will once again continue the K-content syndrome.
Cr: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/ranking/article/144/0000929594
Some viewers expressed concern that the ending in which Kim Ji-yong was not arrested could rationalize personal revenge. Regarding this, director Choi Jeong-yeol said, "I was a little cautious, but I decided on an 8-part series and wanted to quickly make the work itself like a movie. I wanted to develop it by adding the theme that the webtoon wanted to convey at each ending. A lot of this content will be included in the 8-part series. I thought a lot about whether it would be possible. It was a long design process that may not be included in everything here, but it may feel that way if the next season comes out. The ending in which Jiyong does not salute after (Min) Seonwook (Lee Seungwoo) dies is included in the system. “You might think it was a rebellion against the government, but I also thought there were concerns about whether Vigilante activities should continue after Seon-wook’s death,” he explained.
When asked about the possibility of season 2, he replied, “(If we do season 2), we will have to give an ending to season 1. I think it would be good if Jiyong’s dilemma and worries were included.”
Cr: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000799505
He also revealed the points he had to worry about when adapting the webtoon's Kim Ji-yong into a live-action version. Regarding Kim Ji-yong's psychopathic temperament being neutralized compared to the webtoon, director Choi Jeong-yeol said, "It is true that the psychopathic side was neutralized. I thought the character of Kim Ji-yong was a character who spoke about law and justice with his own beliefs, and that was the most important point." "I thought that it had more thematic character. I felt that the psychopathic part was also attractive, but I thought it would be better to cut it out in order to save the thematic aspects," he explained the reason.
How did Kim Ji-yong define and direct personal revenge? Director Choi Jeong-yeol said, "Actually, I think it was very complicated and subtle. Personally, I thought it was a sad thing. When I was making the series, I actually thought it was a sad thing that a character like this exists. There are parts that the law cannot fill, so stories like this don't exist. “I thought it was coming out. Basically, I think I made it with the hope that Kim Ji-yong would not exist in the world,” he said.
Cr: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000799471
Director Choi Jeong-yeol praised Nam Joo-hyuk, who played Kim Ji-yong, the protagonist of 'Vigilante', saying, "The way he changed from his deer-like eyes to taking action was surprising and admirable."
In the play, Nam Joo Hyuk was well-received for completing refreshing actions with wide shoulders and long limbs. Director Choi said, “I often communicate with Joo-hyuk by phone or text, and I heard that he is called ‘Vigilante’ in the military. “I was proud for no reason,” he said. When asked about season 2, he said, “I wish I could do it as a director. However, he replied, “It’s not like I’m thinking alone, so I’m still cautious.”
Cr: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/241/0003316826
📍1st - Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong
📍4th - Japan
📍9th - Turkey
Cr: https://flixpatrol.com/title/vigilante/
📍1st - Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong
📍2nd - Japan
📍9th - Turkey
Cr: https://flixpatrol.com/title/vigilante/
The person who brought a pleasant unfamiliarity to Nam Joo-hyuk was Kim Ji-yong of Disney+'s 'Vigilante'. This is because Nam Joo-hyuk's face, wearing the mask of Kim Ji-yong, a police student during the day and a Vigilante at night, was engraved with a subtle madness and unfulfilled emptiness that had never been seen before. Nam Joo-hyuk shows the ambiguous border between good and evil in the process of his unique cheerfulness and sharp coolness intertwining. As he listens to the news about criminals committing atrocities, his fists, which were clenched, are stretched out in front of the criminals. In addition, Kim Ji-yong's expressionless eyes, seen through the deeply pressed hood, glow as if blood vessels will burst in front of those who have been punished but show no remorse.
In episode 5 of 'Vigilante', under an overpass, Jo Heon and Vigilante Kim Ji-yong name each other's thoughts on 'justice'. Jiyong Kim said, “If there is a person who destroys the lives of others, shows no remorse even after receiving leniency, and is released to make the same mistake again, is it right to do so if you can save the lives of more good people by depriving that one person of their human rights? “Is this wrong?” he asks Jo Heon in a blood boiling voice.
Nam Joo-hyuk showed unbreakable venom by glaring at Yoo Ji-tae with unwavering eyes even though he was covered in blood. Looking back on Nam Joo-hyuk's filmography, I think this is probably the first time I've seen this level
of venom.
The sight of Nam Joo-hyuk staring at himself in the mirror while wearing a police academy uniform, and the way Nam Joo-hyuk's eyes become more empty instead of pure as time passes, are impressive.
Just as there are various portraits of youth, wouldn’t Nam Joo-hyuk be able to express youth with new faces? I think I saw that possibility in Kim Ji-yong's eyes in 'Vigilante'.
Cr: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000639194
Korean dramas tend to open strongly. New characters and storylines are then continually added to keep up momentum – but even the best shows can struggle to juggle all these new pieces as they get added to the mix. Disney+’s Vigilante certainly came out of the gate strongly when it debuted its first three episodes to acclaim at this year’s Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, with vigorous set pieces and punchy pacing. At the end of the month, all these elements came together in a largely satisfying climax as Nam Joo-hyuk’s Vigilante (also known as Kim Ji-yong) faced off with each side of the justice system in a bare-fisted dust-up in the murky sewers underneath the city. The philosophising adds a nourishing layer to the show, but at the end of the day Vigilante is still very much pulp fiction. It comes alive in its set pieces and characters lean in to caricature for effect.
Like many recent streaming series, this one leaves the door open for a season 2 and, for once, this actually makes sense.
Cr: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3243463/disney-k-drama-review-vigilante-thrilling-crime-series-starring-nam-joo-hyuk-explores-different
Regarding the physical comparison with Nam Joo-hyuk, who co-starred in this work, “In the original work, Kim Ji-yong had a dwarf physique. Nam Joo-hyuk is similar in height to me. He loves sports and is good at it. He was a bit surprised when he first saw it. As if he had already become Batman, he saw the finished Vigilante. In that case, Jo Heon should have overwhelming physical strength, but I thought it was a big problem. So he thought he would have to increase his dosage even more than expected. And Nam Joo-hyuk was cool. He thought he could attract overseas fans. And our two shots were cool. “I thought he could compete with overseas dark heroes.”
When asked about his satisfaction with the results of ‘Vigilante’, Yoo Ji-tae said, “I am satisfied with the results of the drama. Because they are crying out for season 2. Even if season 2 doesn't make it, I think it's a valuable work just because I did my best. “All works are precious,” he replied, and about the scene he loves most in the drama, “There is the ending of Part 5 and the scene where Kim Ji-yong’s values and Jo Heon’s values collide."
Cr: https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/382/0001091372
📍1st - Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong
📍2nd - Japan
📍9th - Turkey
Cr: https://flixpatrol.com/title/vigilante/