The necessity for vigilantism is evidence that the populace have been failed by the existing law and order. When the Korean Peninsula turned into a desert 40 years ago, a few survivors emerged with the idea of building a sustainable society and taking care of the remaining 1% of humanity. However, they were unsuccessful in their efforts, and like any other dictatorship, they began to oppress and discriminate against a group of individuals who didn’t deserve such treatment. Even though their initial goals may not have been malicious, the so-called leaders and visionaries were not satisfied with how the plans and tactics turned out. The growth of vigilantism in Black Knight also demonstrated to us that corruption is so ingrained in human nature that it is impossible for people to avoid abusing their influence and power, regardless of the circumstances in which they find themselves. Law and order ought to have prevailed without the need for vigilante action, but the delivery men who lived in the refugee areas understood that if they didn’t act independently, justice would never be done.
These deliverymen met in secret and opposed all repressive schemes and directives put forward by the Cheonmyeong faction. The victims of social and political violence are frequently in a very vulnerable position, and they do not realize who they should turn to in a crisis if the so-called savior and guardian of rights adopts a totalitarian style. We’re not sure if it would be more accurate to characterize 5-8’s acts as a success for justice and equality or a setback for the rule of law and order. Since 5-8 was not an AI, he too had his own unique set of experiences that tormented him and, in a way, shaped his ideologies and sensibility. He had witnessed the deaths of members of his own family, his neighbors, and his fellow citizens.
Personally, I think that what he did was justified because one has to raise their voice to be heard by the deaf. To convince the decision-makers that you are real and that your life matters, you must cause an explosion. Even though there was a government in place, the Cheonmyeong conglomerate had a significant influence on issues of national significance. Obviously, they always wanted every political decision to further their interests. If they hadn’t ignored the migrants’ suffering and abandoned them to their deaths, everything would have been fine. When Ryu Seok assumed control of the situation in Black Knight and declared it his life’s mission to eradicate the whole refugee population, things only became worse.
Spoiler Warning
How Did 5-8 Plan To Tackle Ryu Seok?
The Ryu Seok relocation plan was never intended to help the refugees get back on their feet; rather, it was intended to commit genocide and eradicate them off the face of the planet. The Cheonmyoeng group was always up to something, but 5-8 had no idea they could go so far, engage in such shady politics, and permanently stain the history of the Korean Peninsula. Even though Chairman Ryu overlooked the migrants, he wasn’t as extreme as Ryu Seok, his fascist son. Chairman Ryu wanted his son to run his business and empire when he was gone, but he had no idea what type of atrocities the boy was capable of. Ryu Seok was purposefully contaminating the air to create a constant need for oxygen, which the Cheonmyeong group controlled. Even Major Seol-ah was unable to accept that they were able to manipulate innocent people’s confidence in such a way. When 5-8 and his group of delivery workers went to check on the air-purifying trucks, they discovered that they were spewing pollutants into the atmosphere. 5-8 and his covert group members interfered with as many of the Cheonmyeong group’s actions as they could, but it was never enough. He was aware that kidnapping Ryu Seok would be necessary to overcome discrimination. Major Seol-ah was unsure about the strategy, but after Ryu Seok murdered innocent refugees on the day of the delivery man competition’s championship, she understood that 5-8 was correct to direct the attack at the Cheonmyeong group’s heir.
Chairman Ryu was met by Seol-ah, who told him what was going on. Chairman Ryu may have advocated for the development of the air core so that the privileged would have easier access to essential resources, but his inclination toward capitalism had not yet manifested itself in an oppressive manner. He was disappointed in his own kid, but Ryu Seok had already taken over the entire system by the time he knew what was going on. The defense minister was one of the individuals whose loyalty he had purchased. Ryu Seok murdered his father before taking the situation into his own hands. He listed 12 deliverymen on his most wanted list and publicly posted their names. Ryu Seok hid in the core district since he thought 5-8 couldn’t possibly gain access to it.
Was 5-8 Able To Save The Refugees?
If the government had carried out its duties properly, there would not have been a need to save the migrants. The common man had to take up arms in order to defend humanity because the government had failed its citizens. Although the president had advocated for the immigrants publicly, she came off as somewhat helpless during the course of the six episodes of Black Knight. If the president had simply provided the refugees with the bare requirements, which they were unable to do either, the outlaws would never have existed. The refugees only sought food and clean air to survive; they never imagined living in luxury. 5-8 had risen to the challenge, and he wouldn’t give up until the injustice was corrected.
He is able to sneak inside the Core District toward the end of Black Knight, chapters 5-8, and he doesn’t spare Ryu Seok when he stands in his way. Although 5-8’s acts were illegal, there was nothing else he could have done. The president quickly ordered the class-based divide of the districts to be removed once the refugees were saved and taken inside the building where they could receive air, water, and food. Even when things stabilized, it was only a matter of time until another dictator took the helm and began abusing his authority. The likelihood that Ryu Seok is still alive is very strong, and 5-8 would need to be prepared for his retaliation in addition to his hatred if he were to decide to return. Because of the crusader known as 5-8, who was born out of necessity and who helped save the lives of hundreds of refugees, vigilantism became the preferred method of enforcing the law.
