Hello, everyone! How are you? Today, I’m diving into a review of the drama Vincenzo, which has captivated the K-drama audience with its distinct combination of Italian mafia influences and Korean corporate intrigue. This isn’t your average revenge narrative – it’s an intricate dark comedy that reimagines justice when the legal system collapses.
Vincenzo aired on tvN from February 20, 2021, to May 2, 2021, offering 20 episodes filled with entertainment brilliance. Each episode runs around 75-85 minutes, providing a cinematic feel akin to a weekly film rather than a traditional TV show. The series features Song Joong-ki in the lead role, with Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon, Kim Yeo-jin, and Kwak Dong-yeon delivering performances that blend gravitas with unexpected humor in this crime thriller.
Vincenzo stands out due to its bold take on moral complexity. It’s not a tale of heroes versus villains in the usual sense – it’s about seeking justice in a system that’s beyond redemption. The show skillfully merges dark humor with heartfelt moments, crafting an experience that’s both engaging and thought-provoking.
From Italy to Korea: Vincenzo’s Hunt for Concealed Treasure
As a child of 8, Park Joo-Hyeong moved to Italy after being adopted. Now grown up, he is known as Vincenzo Cassano, a lawyer working as a consigliere for the Mafia. Due to a mafia war, he escapes to South Korea. What begins as a straightforward task to recover hidden gold from a Seoul building evolves into a complex web of corporate deceit, tenant unity, and unforeseen romance.
The allure of Vincenzo’s storyline lies in its unpredictability. Just when you think you’ve grasped the plot’s direction, it surprises you with a twist that alters your viewpoint. The show adeptly intertwines various narratives involving the Geumga Plaza residents, each harboring their own secrets and motives, weaving a rich fabric of interconnected lives.
The primary mystery revolves around the gold hidden within the building, sought after by both Vincenzo and the corrupt Babel Group. However, what could have been a straightforward treasure hunt transforms into something much more significant as Vincenzo finds himself genuinely caring for the people he initially intended to manipulate.
Vincenzo Cassano: The Unlikely Anti-Hero
Song Joong-ki delivers a landmark performance as Vincenzo Cassano, portraying a character who is both captivating and intimidating, refined yet merciless. His portrayal embodies someone living between two worlds – Korean by birth and Italian by choice, ultimately finding belonging among the unconventional family of Geumga Plaza residents.
Vincenzo’s character evolution is expertly depicted throughout the series. He grapples with his identity, caught between his cold, calculating mafia persona and the warmth he feels for his newfound Korean family. The show doesn’t shy away from displaying his brutal methods but also exposes the pain and solitude fueling his actions.
Vincenzo’s appeal lies in his unapologetic nature. He acknowledges his darkness while gradually learning to accept the light others bring into his life. His relationship with justice is intricate – he believes in it, but only when it aligns with his terms.
Hong Cha-young: A Perfect Partner for Disorder
Jeon Yeo-Bin portrays Hong Cha-Young, an attorney willing to do anything to win her cases, bringing remarkable depth to what could have been a flat character. Cha-young is ambitious, morally flexible, and initially driven solely by success and monetary gain. However, her transformation throughout the series is both convincing and inspiring.
The chemistry between Song Joong-ki and Jeon Yeo-been is electrifying, but it doesn’t rely on typical romantic drama clichés. Instead, their relationship develops through mutual respect, shared trauma, and a growing understanding that they are both outsiders who have found their match in one another. Cha-young doesn’t soften Vincenzo or transform him into a “better” person – rather, she embraces his darkness while he learns to value her fierce independence.
Her evolution from a win-at-all-costs lawyer to someone ready to fight for justice, even when it’s not lucrative, feels organic and empowering. The show never asks her to relinquish her edge or ambition; instead, it channels those traits toward something meaningful.
When Justice Reaches Its Ultimate Form
The final episodes of Vincenzo are a masterclass in resolution and catharsis. Every character arc, every planted clue, every seemingly insignificant detail converges in a symphony of perfectly orchestrated chaos. The finale showcases Han Seok stopping at nothing for revenge, while Vincenzo seeks justice in a mafia style, delivering slow and excruciating retribution to his foes.
The climax’s satisfaction stems not from miraculous rescues or last-minute interventions but from the logical conclusion of events we’ve witnessed. Vincenzo’s tactics may be extreme, but the show has spent 19 episodes illustrating why conventional justice has failed these characters.
The emotional impact of the finale arises not from the action scenes, but from the relationships built throughout the series. When Vincenzo finally achieves his revenge, it feels justified not just because of what his foes have done to him, but because of what they’ve done to those he has come to love.
Netflix Triumph: A Worldwide Sensation
Vincenzo debuted strongly, with an average nationwide rating of 7.7 percent, marking the third-highest premiere ratings for any weekend tvN drama. The series became a global hit on Netflix, introducing international viewers to a uniquely Korean take on the crime thriller genre. It achieved the status of the 6th highest-rated drama in tvN history following its finale, solidifying its position as one of 2021’s most successful K-dramas.
The show’s success lies in its perfect balance of familiar elements and fresh perspectives. While viewers might recognize the framework of a revenge story, Vincenzo constantly subverts expectations. The series demonstrates that K-dramas can explore dark, complex themes while still delivering the emotional fulfillment fans desire.
How Vincenzo Redefines the Anti-Hero Genre
If you relish morally complex characters, sophisticated storytelling, and dark comedy that retains emotional depth, Vincenzo is the ideal series to binge on Netflix. This isn’t merely entertainment – it’s an exemplary study in character development and narrative structure that will prompt you to reevaluate your own concepts of justice and morality.
Series Information
Number of Episodes: 20Platform: Netflix / tvNRelease/End Year: 2021 (February 20 – May 2)Rating (IMDb): 8.4/10Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime Drama, Dark Comedy, RomanceStatus: Completed seriesMain Characters: Song Joong-ki (Vincenzo Cassano), Jeon Yeo-been (Hong Cha-young)Antagonist: Ok Taec-yeon (Jang Jun-woo/Jang Han-seok)