The Disney+ series 'Vigilante' follows the typical strong-strong-weak-weak narrative. It caters to the weak with weakness and to the strong with strength. The show seeks to bring 'justice' to criminals who haven't received appropriate punishment, delivering a refreshing experience through exhilarating action. Following the success of Disney+ K-content like 'Moving' and 'The Worst Villain Ever,' 'Vigilante' based on the webtoon by Kim Kyu-sam, which has accumulated over 370 million views, proves to be another promising work.

Directed by Choi Jung-yeol, known for movies like 'Glory Day' and 'Start-Up,' 'Vigilante' marks his first venture into a series. The story revolves around Kim Ji-yong, a diligent police academy student during the day, who seeks retribution against criminals who haven't faced proper punishment at night.

In the first episode, released on the 8th, the reasons behind police academy student Kim Ji-yong's (played by Nam Joo-hyuk) quest to judge criminals are depicted. Ji-yong lost his mother to a thug in his childhood. When that thug received a lenient sentence due to mental illness, Ji-yong, now an adult, begins taking matters into his own hands by directly dealing with criminals. Investigative reporter Choi Mi-ryeo (played by Kim So-jin), who follows these special cases, refers to the mysterious figure who enforces her own 'justice' as 'Vigilante.' Ji-yong, by day a regular police academy student, transforms into someone who, at night, seeks justice through punches against criminals living freely despite facing no legal consequences.

"Vigilante" incorporates incidents that evoke real-life events, such as episodes involving criminals who have committed sexual assault against minors but received lenient sentences and subsequently targeted their victims again after release. Beyond these episodes, the series addresses societal issues like drugs, random violence, posing questions throughout about what constitutes 'law and justice.' While the presence of a figure passing judgment on criminals is welcomed, Vigilante's engagement in personal revenge clashes with the acts of the criminals, creating tension. The existence of Vigilante, a dark hero shaped by the world, continues to make viewers ponder whether it is indeed righteous.

Nam Joo-hyuk's acting transformation is impressive, shedding his previous clean image to fully embody the character of Kim Ji-yong. Whether displaying a playful demeanor with friends or unleashing a wrathful gaze to mete out justice against criminals at night, Nam Joo-hyuk captivates the audience. His agile action sequences and impactful blows, accentuated by his 187cm height, deliver a satisfying viewing experience. Director Choi Jung-yeol explained, "I thought Ji-yong is a character with two different eyes. While at the police academy, he is very upright and intelligent, but when engaging in Vigilante activities at night, he has a peculiar smile and exudes a strange feeling."

'Vigilante' is released twice a week on Wednesdays, with only the first two episodes currently available. Towards the end of the second episode, the head of the special investigation team, Cho Heon (played by Yoo Ji-tae), appears in an attempt to apprehend Vigilante. Yoo Ji-tae, who gained 20kg for the character, overwhelms the atmosphere with his mere presence. Kim So-jin, transformed into a journalist named Choi Mi-ryeo, adds to the tension of the drama by expressing her desire to catch the vigilante.

With a cast including Nam Joo-hyuk, Yoo Ji-tae, Kim So-jin, and the yet-to-appear Lee Joon-hyuk, 'Vigilante' features a strong lineup of actors who question what constitutes the execution of true justice. If you're curious about the answers to these questions, the show comes highly recommended. Note that it is rated as not suitable for youth audiences.