Vincenzo: Best K-drama Series Review 2024

Vincenzo: Best K-drama Series Review 2024

Introduction

If there’s one Kdrama that defies genre boundaries and captivates viewers with its masterful storytelling, charismatic characters, and compelling themes, it’s “Vincenzo.” This 2021 drama series, directed by Kim Hee Won and written by Park Jae Bum, stands as a testament to the brilliance of Korean television. Set against the backdrop of the criminal underworld and corporate corruption, “Vincenzo” unfolds a riveting narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat while evoking laughter, tears, and a sense of justice.

Storyline & Themes

At its core, “Vincenzo” presents a rich and intricate story that centers around Park Joo Hyeong (played by Song Joong Ki), a former consigliere to an Italian mafia family who returns to his birthplace, South Korea, to recover hidden gold within a luxurious building. The series brilliantly juxtaposes dark themes of crime, corruption, and revenge with moments of side-splitting comedy, heartfelt romance, and poignant displays of justice. As the story unfolds, viewers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster laced with unpredictable plot twists and delightful character dynamics.

The thematic depth of “Vincenzo” is truly commendable. It offers a scathing critique of greed, power, and moral decay within the corporate and legal sectors, shedding light on the often overlooked battles for justice in a world driven by avarice and deceit. The writers skillfully navigate these challenging themes, infusing the narrative with a balance of tension, humor, and emotional resonance that leaves a lasting impact.

Characters & Performances

The strength of “Vincenzo” lies not only in its compelling narrative but also in the extraordinary performances of its cast. Song Joong Ki delivers a tour de force portrayal of Vincenzo Cassano, effortlessly embodying the complexities of his character – a suave, cunning, and morally ambiguous figure – with remarkable conviction. Equally noteworthy is Jeon Yeo Bin’s portrayal of the audacious lawyer Hong Cha Young, whose undeniable chemistry with Vincenzo creates moments of both intense drama and heartwarming tenderness.

The ensemble cast, including Ok Taecyeon, Kwak Dong Yeon, and Yoo Jae Myung, each contribute their own distinct flavor to the series, adding depth and nuance to an already rich tapestry of characters. The impeccable acting across the board elevates the storytelling, pulling viewers deeper into the intricate web of alliances, betrayals, and triumphs.

Cinematic Splendor & Music

Visually, “Vincenzo” is a feast for the eyes, boasting stunning cinematography and meticulously crafted set designs that amplify the atmosphere of every scene. Whether it’s the jaw-dropping action sequences, the lavish interiors of the Geumga Plaza, or the picturesque landscapes of Italy, the series maintains a consistently high standard of visual excellence.

As for the music, the soundtrack of “Vincenzo” is nothing short of exceptional. From heartrending ballads to exhilarating instrumentals, the OST not only complements the narrative but also enhances the emotional impact of pivotal moments. The infusion of Italian opera-inspired music during comedic interludes is a stroke of genius, adding another layer of charm to the overall viewing experience.

Vincenzo | Official Trailer | Netflix [ENG SUB]

Watch this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S12-4mXCNj4

Bringing his mafia past back with him to South Korea, Song Joong-ki stars as notorious Italian lawyer Vincenzo who isn’t afraid to lend his bloodstained hands to beat the untouchable conglomerates in their own game.

From the writer of THE FIERY PRIEST, VINCENZO also stars Jeon Yeo-been (BE MELODRAMATIC) and Ok Taec-yeon (SAVE ME).

Final Verdict

In conclusion, “Vincenzo” is a triumph of storytelling, showcasing the seamless fusion of genre elements to craft a truly unique and unforgettable viewing experience. With its enthralling narrative, standout performances, visual opulence, and a soul-stirring soundtrack, the series stands as a shining example of Kdrama at its finest. Whether you’re a fan of crime thrillers, romantic comedies, or thought-provoking dramas, “Vincenzo” is a must-watch that promises to leave an indelible mark on your Kdrama journey.

So, if you’re ready to embark on a captivating, emotionally resonant, and often uproariously funny journey through the world of “Vincenzo,” buckle up and prepare to be enthralled.

Reviews by People

• Performance:
  • Review: The stellar performances by Song Joong Ki, Jeon Yeo Bin, and the ensemble cast elevate “Vincenzo” to new heights of emotional depth and character-driven storytelling.
• Cinematography:
  • Review: Visually stunning and meticulously crafted, the cinematography of “Vincenzo” immerses viewers in a world of opulence, action, and poignant beauty.
• Plot Twist:
  • Review: “Vincenzo” masterfully weaves a web of unpredictable plot twists that keep viewers guessing and on the edge of their seats until the very end.
• Humor:
  • Review: Balancing dark themes with uproarious comedy, “Vincenzo” infuses wit and humor into its narrative, offering moments of levity amidst intense drama.
• Romantic Chemistry:
  • Review: The palpable chemistry between Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Bin in “Vincenzo” sparks a romance that is both passionate and tender, adding depth to the storyline.
• Social Commentary:
  • Review: Through its portrayal of corruption and moral dilemmas, “Vincenzo” serves as a poignant social commentary that challenges viewers to reflect on justice and ethics.
• Soundtrack:
  • Review: The emotive and diverse soundtrack of “Vincenzo,” featuring soul-stirring ballads and dynamic instrumentals, enhances the emotional impact of key moments in the series.
• Genre-bending:
  • Review: A genre-bending masterpiece, “Vincenzo” seamlessly blends elements of crime thrillers, rom-coms, and legal dramas to create a unique viewing experience that transcends traditional genre boundaries.

Gallery

More Reviews

In the final episode, Vincenzo says “Buonaserata Mademoiselle,” but it should be “Buonasera Signorina”! 😉

Even though his Italian wasn’t perfect, the series was fantastic! Song Joong-ki was incredibly cool throughout, and I loved every moment of it!

The show really gave me a boost to improve myself. Since COVID, I had minimal social contact, spending most of my time at home watching K-dramas, reading, or scrolling through social media. My mood was often low, but everything changed after I started watching this series!

The entire cast is amazing, especially Song Joong-ki and Jeon Yeo-been! I’ve been learning Italian for a while now, and my apprenticeship is fun again. I also enjoy going to university!

The only issue is finding someone like Vincenzo—brave, sophisticated, stylish, knowledgeable, tall, good-looking, and with an incredibly sweet smile!

Vincenzo Quassano is chef’s kiss – [update: the drama is a cathartic experience you won’t forget]

If you’re in search of a comedic, thrilling, and creatively satisfying drama to brighten your weekend, look no further than Vincenzo!

STORY: If you enjoyed dramas like The Fiery Priest or Chief Kim, you’ll be hooked by the plot, characters, action, and unique storytelling here. It’s a delightful blend of absurdity, humor, and seriousness, tackling themes of crime, corruption, revenge, and justice. With a mix of lovable characters and outrageously evil villains (the main antagonist’s reveal is one for the books!), the plot twists, comedic timing, and chemistry between the characters are on point. And the one-liners? Absolutely fantastic!

CAST: With stars like Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-bin, and Ok Taecyeon, the cast is nothing short of stellar. Each actor brings their character to life with perfection. Vincenzo and Hong Cha-young’s chaotic partnership is a joy to watch (I’m totally shipping them!). SJK’s Italian outbursts are both mesmerizing and hilarious, while JYB’s quirky take on the female lead is irresistibly captivating. And Taecyeon’s portrayal of the lovable, English-speaking intern is almost too good to be true!

MUSIC: The OST is thrilling and catchy, with vibrant, Italian-inspired music adding a special touch, especially during the comedic moments (poor Vincenzo!).

RE-WATCH: I’ve already started rewatching episodes while the drama is still airing—need I say more?

If you haven’t started watching yet, what are you waiting for? Vincenzo is the highlight of my weekend, and with the drama halfway through, I just had to share my thoughts!

EDIT 5/3/21: Having just finished the drama, I stand by everything I said weeks ago. Vincenzo is a masterpiece, and the final message is powerful. The cinematography and production quality are top-notch, and the entire cast and crew did an amazing job. There are bad villains, and then there are exceptional villains. A special shoutout to my favorite Jang Han Seo. Excuse me while I go cry and feel empty now that it’s over. What a cathartic experience.

Not for Everyone

So, this might be an unpopular opinion, but I didn’t enjoy Vincenzo. Yes, Song Joong-ki is undeniably attractive, and the cinematography is stunning. I even warmed up to Hong Cha-young’s eccentric behavior at times. But the plot? The side characters?

My main issue was with the story. Many elements just didn’t make sense to me. I understand that some viewers might appreciate the over-the-top ridiculousness as part of the “fun,” but I found it jarring. The show would shift from sublime moments (like the vineyard scene, the ending of episode 4, or the fall of the Wusang trio) to absurd slapstick, which felt like bloated filler rather than adding levity.

This contrast disrupted the immersion for me, and the episodes could have been much tighter without so much focus on the Geumga Plaza crew, who never became endearing to me. It was hard to believe that they could all have such impressive athletic skills and take down professional goons effortlessly. I could also have done without the NIS stuff and the zumba scenes. Inzaghi didn’t really resonate with me, though I appreciated the symbolism related to him and Jang Han-seok at the end.

On a positive note, I respect the overall direction of the story. Vincenzo’s character remained consistent throughout, and the ending, while dark, was neatly tied up. The writers stayed true to his anti-hero nature. The “corn salad” joke was charming, and the horseback riding fan-service was a fun touch.

The show does well in its social commentary on corrupt structures in Korea and beyond, and it effectively explores the interactions between government, corporate, and legal realms.

The OST was fitting and varied, avoiding the repetitive quality of “We All Lie” from SKY Castle. The high production value, great CGI, and cinematography are worth noting. And, just to reiterate, Song Joong-ki is pretty—definitely a highlight if you’re watching for that alone.

Wasted Potential

Fair warning: this might be an unpopular opinion, but here’s my take.

The show’s biggest flaw is its story and how it unfolds. The initial concept—an Italian consigliere coming to Korea to reclaim a hidden vault of gold—had great potential. The first episode was gripping and hooked me, but the plot quickly fell into predictable and shallow thrills.

The character motivations introduced early on are abandoned, and many decisions made by the characters seem inconsistent. For example, Hong Cha-Yong starts out as a character with loose morals and a greedy nature but suddenly justifies violence once she meets Vincenzo. Similarly, Vincenzo, who is initially portrayed as a careful strategist, becomes a reckless protagonist when plot convenience demands it.

The show’s comedy is another contentious aspect. It feels forced and unnatural, as if the characters are aware they’re in a drama and making jokes about it. While some jokes do land and provide genuine laughs, they are infrequent in the 20 episodes. The abrupt shifts from intense drama to slapstick comedy are jarring and often disrupt the flow of the show.

On the casting front, Song Joong-ki delivers an impressive performance as Vincenzo, effectively portraying ruthlessness despite his lean stature. Jeon Yeo-bin is charming and does her best with a script that limits her character. Several side characters had intriguing potential that was unfortunately left unexplored.

Final thoughts:
As of writing this, the show is rated 9/10, which I feel is overrated. It doesn’t hold up to the quality of shows like Flower of Evil or Stranger. The attempt to blend slapstick comedy with intense crime drama didn’t work, and the result was a missed opportunity. While watching it weekly was manageable, I’m not sure it’s binge-worthy, and I doubt I’ll revisit it.

Pure Satisfaction!!

Initially, I found the first few episodes of this drama a bit complex and slow, but as I continued, the plot just kept getting better and reached an epic climax in the final episodes! Despite the longer-than-usual run times—over 80 minutes per episode—the story remained engaging and fast-paced, especially in the latter half.

In a similar vein to Fiery Priest and Chief Kim (both from the same writer), this drama blends dark comedy with a righteous protagonist, plenty of action scenes, and a storyline centered around corruption.

The humor, emotional depth, and thrills make it a truly exciting watch! The incorporation of mafia elements, along with the violence and gunplay, adds a unique twist. While the notion of the male lead “lawfully” engaging in such drastic measures might seem odd, it actually turns out to be one of the most entertaining aspects of the show. I relished these moments, savoring the drama’s bold choices, even if they didn’t always make perfect sense.

Kudos to the entire cast for their stellar performances! Song Joong-ki truly owned his role, delivering both in combat scenes and in moments of comedic harassment. Taecyeon also did a commendable job, though his typically kind appearance made him seem less menacing for his role.

Nonetheless, his portrayal of a naive rookie added a fresh dimension to his acting career. Dongyeon, as always, was versatile and compelling, whether playing a cool character, a psycho, or a cowardly yet kind-hearted little brother. His roles consistently evoke a strong desire to protect him!

I also enjoyed the Geum-Ga squad. Watching seemingly ordinary people come together to fight crime was incredibly satisfying. They proved that even gossiping neighbors can harbor hidden talents—just look at the pigeon for proof!

While not everyone might appreciate this drama, I found it immensely enjoyable. It doesn’t focus on romance (or has almost none), but rather on a deep conspiracy led by a mafia lawyer fighting against crime. If you’re looking for a captivating story with a unique twist, this is definitely worth watching!

Did I Miss Something?

Okay, here’s another unpopular opinion on this drama.

The Pros: Episodes 3 through 15 were genuinely enjoyable. The Geumga Plaza characters were entertaining, and their development was fun to watch. The humor elicited some genuine laughs, despite being a polarizing aspect of the show. The action scenes were gripping, and the cinematography was absolutely breathtaking. However, these positives couldn’t compensate for what felt like a lack of coherence and depth in the overall story.

The Cons: The first major issue was the villain. The early revelation of the true villain felt off, and I struggled to take him seriously throughout. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between Babel and Vincenzo became monotonous after a while. It was puzzling how characters seemed oddly indifferent to the frequent and extreme violence around them. For example, Vincenzo’s drastic actions, like shoving someone out of Geumga Plaza, went unnoticed, raising questions about the fate of the bodies and the role of the government. Perhaps my bias for character-driven dramas is showing, but the heart and substance that initially drew me in seemed to dissipate by the end in favor of plot mechanics.

The Breaking Point: Episode 17 was the dealbreaker. I had rated the show a solid 9 until then, but after that episode, my rating plummeted to a 6. This episode shattered my immersion. Characters began to act out of character, and the death of the stuntman with the bomb was particularly jarring. What was worse was seeing the beloved Geumga Plaza team involved in this grim event, with no apparent concern from the KCSI agent about Vincenzo’s gruesome actions. This episode irreparably soured my perception of the show.

Honestly, if not for the star-studded cast and stunning cinematography, this drama might have been remembered as one of the lesser K-dramas. With all the hype surrounding it, I was left feeling disappointed and questioning, “Did I miss something?”

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