Vincenzo (2021)

Not what I expected but still entertaining

THE TONE :

I expected a dark comedy. Instead, it was slapstick comedy almost burlesque with many characters and situations exagerated and caricatures of what we usually see in Korean dramas. But it worked for me. Because the drama assumed its tone and made me believe in the characters. I liked the good guys and hated the evil ones. And starting from ep10, when the corpses started to pile, it became even more fun.

THE STORY:

Two axis of narration:

1st: the ML is trying to retrieve a treasure from a vault and he has to get rid of a bunch of weirdoes blocking his path as they are residents of the place where the vault is. They go through different phases which bring them together. I Like how it was developed, the deception, the suspicion, the manipulation, until they learn to trust each other and collaborate to solve their problems.

2nd: the ML is involved in a fight against a conglomerate which does not stop at killing people to achieve its goals. They find the ML on their path and they would do anything to get rid of him. This part was fun because ML mostly kicks their a$$es. It's a comedy first so there is no terrible or long angst.

THE CHARACTERS:

I liked:

- Vincenzo Cassano: Handsome, suave, elegant, but also a man with mafia's principles and totally ruthless when needed. He is smart, thoughtful, rarely outsmarted. He has a great ability to anticipate and keep his cool when facing the evil ones.
- Hong Cha Young: I really had difficulties with her personality, her temper and her antics. But she slowly grew on me. I finally liked her for who she is: a courageous woman and a fun and great sidekick for the ML.
- Jang Han Seo: I had pity for him. He looked lost, a coward, pathetic, trying to find a way... and finally, some kind of redemption. I will not lie, Kwak Dong Yeon is one of my favorite underestimated actors.
- Jo Young Joon: VC's friend from the beginning. The guy is interesting, surprising. he goes from high to low in his relationship with VC.
- Tak Hong Shick: One of the hidden talent among the residents with a nice set of skills.
- Seo Mi Ri: Looks kooky but also another hidden talent. I liked her part.
- I liked most of the residents.

I hated:
- Choi Myung Hee : She had no authority, no real power, no real backer, no nothing. Only her big mouth to mock people and yell at them. She looked like the clerk who wants to please the boss for the paycheck and plays super diligent by having people killed like they are numbers. Her demise was super satisfactory.

- Jang Jun Woo/The Great Evil: Ok Taec Yeon had to play two faces of a same guy and they were too different from each other for me to take him seriously. One was too silly and the other one was too much of a nutcase. When he finally showed himself, he was just a complete psycho acting with outburst of anger. Could not top VC like that...

- Han Seung Hyuk: How can a president of a company accept the criminal behavior of his client? He totally had the ending he deserved.

MUSIC:
OK. nothing special to mention for me.

REWATCH VALUE:
The drama was fun to watch but I don't think I will rewatch entirely as I think it suffers from a flaw : the main villain is too weak compared to the main guy. He is basically a complete nutcase from the very beginning and never evolves. He is just venting his anger trying to get rid of people who make him angry . He meets a huge roadblock named VC and this is the end of him. It would have been better with a fair competition but I guess it would have required a darker tone that the drama did not intend to have.

OVERALL: 9/10 . A good drama! 20eps *120 minutes look long but you are rarely bored. Recommended for its many fun, quirky and savage moments.

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Oh how I didn't know that Korea could do such a marvelous job when incorporating another culture into their drama shows!

I didn't expect the ML to be able to fluently speak Italian! I know I can't speak it but the way they portrayed the mafia made me respect the mafia a little bit more!

The first episode started off hardcore and ended the same way. I saw a few familiar faces in this series which I was glad to see. I'm not familiar with the main character. I haven't seen anything he's been in. But to save face it's because I'm a month shy of being an avid Korea drama fan watcher for a year. Anybody who has mad fighting skills I'm immediately drawn to.
As I say in my reviews I'm a action fanatic. I grew up watching old martial art movies they use to air on Saturday nights when I was a kid led me to this point. Thanks Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat!!!

OK, I put this may contain spoilers just in case I slip and accidentally say something but I assume A LOT of people have already watched this.

The chemistry this cast had made me want to truly want to be apart of. I loved every member good and bad. They were spot on with their roles. I really want to hug the casting agent and writer of this series! The only thing that had me gritting my teeth was the fact that about the 19th episode it was like the writers forgot who the main lead was because he became weak because of a girl....Oy, this is why I no longer care for series that have romance in it. Saving a girl putting yourself and others in danger always tank for me. It went well up unto that point. Thankfully the last episode made up for the lapse of judgement from the previous episode.

I cheered, nearly bawled, got angry, and laughed a lot! It was so awesome that I was even cheering for a pigeon!!!

I know I'm twisted but I loved the way justice was served. Some was quicker than the others but it worked for me. It took me back to the movie 'Taken' with Liam Neeson. He gives a speech about how well his skills are and the bad guy just laughs thinking it's a joke until....Vincenzo took on that route which is why I love this series!

I didn't want this season to end but it had to. Will I rewatch this? Maybe. I gave it a high rewatch review because it was just that good. I only rewatched one of my favorite Korean dramas because I hit a action drama drought. I tend to do that at times but I may rewatch this one as well.

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everybody like bad boy/ mafia

I LIKE EVERY CHARACTERS AND EACH ONE OF THEM RELEVANT TO THE MAIN STORY AND MLS
EACH SCENS HAVE VALUE TO THE STORY NOTHING IS IRRELAVANT
STORY IS PERFECT AND UNPRECTABLE
DESPITE OF DARK SIDE THERE IS ALSO A COMEDY ,EMOTION, FAMILY ,LOVE AND HELPING TO EACH OTHER
I WISH I COULD HAVE THESE KIND OF NEIGHBOUR HOOD
WORTH TO WATCH IT
YOU FEEL MAFIA THEME
IN MAFIA WORLD THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS ONLY REVENGE THAT REVENGE SHOULD BE EPIC
ML IS LIKE CAT WHO MAKES RAT TO RUN BEFORE TO KILL IT THIS LINE YOU WILL MAKE RELEVANT WHEN YOU WATCH VENCENZO

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Outstanding in all forms

Honestly, there isn't much to say about this show other than it's beyond amazing. The cast, plot, cinematography, everything.
I wasn't ever one to watch a drama that was crime based. Because they were all following the same plot and you never got to be fully satisfied with the way the criminals were punished. I also hate when a show stays super serious the whole time.
Vincenzo really had it all. Although the ending was good on most fronts, he deserved better. (once you watch the show you'll know who I'm talking about) I choose to believe he is on the island. My heart hurts less.
I highly recommend this drama. :)

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A FUNNY, ENJOYABLE ACTION DRAMA

overall, i really enjoyed the drama. it has AMAZING casts, seriously like how can the director get those actors and actresses in a single production. they must cost a lot sobsob hahahah. the story is a bit mess for me because the main characters are villain who is trying to seek for justice but in an injustice way (?) idk how to put the words together. but the thing is it is enjoyable and fun to watch because the characters in this drama are all cracked HAHAHAHHA i had a lot of laugh. ohh not to mention VINCENZO is really cool, a mafia who has a good heart lollll. anyways, it is a really good drama eventhough i cannot find any good lesson for life from it hahahha but it's an okay for me. yes, it's a worth watching.

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The best quality drama ever watched. Smartest drama ever.

Perfect Cast , musics were sooo good.... The story was great.... Everything is okay... This drama makes me rewatch it unlimited times... But something feels cringy... At ep18 The hand fight scenes were a little cringy... I mean a group of gangs vs Mr Cassano alone... And mr cassano still wins the fight.... That felt so cringy... I know mr cassano didnt fight lonely at all , the tenants fought with the gangs also , and that scene was so cringy... I think they could've used some italian gangs of vincenzo instead of using the tenants , that wouldve added more fire in it ??, it could make sense too , because at that episode , they talked about Italy.... But im not saying the tenants fights were bad.... It was great too... But it couldve improved a little bit.....



The dialouges were the best of this drama , they were so satisfying and savage...
The sound effects of guns and fight scenes were also awesome....
Must watch drama! Even it makes you feel like "ah I wish I was a mafia" xD

Thanks for a great drama like this ?

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Song Joong Ki rocks but the rest is meeh

I used to be a cereal binger, thinking there is no drama I can not binge until I met Vincenzo who truly made me question my identity as a full on die hard binger. At first I thought there was something wrong with me, had I hit a slump? Having worked really hard to avoid spoilers I actually managed to be surprised by some of the twits so I could not blame spoilers for this feeling. Was it the length of the episodens? No not really, I have seen worse, so how come I could not manage to binge this drama that I had been anticipating for months? I felt conflicted since I at least thought I was enjoying the drama and did not think it was bad.

I have given this allot of thought (okej not allot but some thought) and come up with several explanations:

1. It did not live up to the hype.
2. Some parts are actually boring
3. Some of the acting is pretty mediocre
4. It has several annoying characters, who just prolong the episodes without actually adding anything.
5.The characters that are annoying most of time have each moments that are brilliant resulting in confusion, do I like this character or do I wish it gone...
All of this makes it it tiering to watch.

So what did I like about this drama enough to give it an 8?

Well
1.Song Joong Ki character
2.Song Joong Ki, acting
3. Soong Joong Ki, styling
4. The pigeon
5. Song Joong Kis interaction with the pigeon
Where all grat!!!
6. The main story is actually pretty good it is just dragged out a bit to long but it is actually really interesting.
7.The cinematography is utterly gorgeous.
8.Song Joong Ki with a flower in his hair
9. Song Joong Ki with on a white horse
10. Song Joong Ki with a polo shirt
11. Amazing explosions!
12. Interesting ways to kill people
13. Fire and lighters
14. Great use of phones and umbrellas
15. Truck of doom, with or without a make over
16. Some parts where actually funny
17. Character development, every singel character changed in some way or another not bad for a drama with ALLOT of characters

So some parts where great, some part where bad and some part where just meeh... Actually not bad to incorporate all this in to one drama (a very long drama). So to be honest it didn't get me up on my toes, it didn't make me cry it did not really make me feel any thing else than love for Song Joong Ki so in short it was simply meeh

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Vincezo : An emotional review.

I am literally at lost for words to describe how outstanding and breathtaking this drama was.
But I'll tell you one thing first, that I never thought a drama could be so dark and gritty that the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you hold your breath---and then so genuinely funny and comedic that makes you laugh out loud so much----but then so emotional and hearfelt that it brought tears to your eyes and left you shattered multiple times.
The cast was too,was beyond perfect. Let alone Vincenzo, Hong Cha Young herself blew my mind with her entire role.From being so independent,brave to being so authentic and quirky not giving a single fuck about what others think---it all just screams CONFIDENCE,COMPETENCE and BRILLIANCE....so unapologetically herself,never trying to act cool or be someone she's not---fearless and determined even in grief;I could go on about her forever.She is insanely funny but headstrong,alone but brave and both so quick witted and kindhearted. And her Chemistry with Vincenzo was immaculate to the point of breathtaking---an absolute*chef's kiss*. Also loved how unlike many female leads she didn't end up becoming a a damsel in distress seeing which was so refreshing...rather she fought alongside Vincenzo in their war against injustice and corruptions.Cha young didn't even try to change him rather helped him on the way to stay true to himself. Their little interactions and their mischievous power moves made them the definition of Mafia Soulmates period.
From their friendship to partnership to Cha Young staying by his side despite all his flaws...it melts my heart just to think about it. They didn't need words to express their love and devotion for each other,from the moment Cha young came rushing to the underpass where Vincenzo went alone to fought to when it came to Vincenzo only ever kneeling down so that Han Syeok don't kill her.
They mightn't've fallen head over heels in love at first sight but seeing their gradual friendship and intimacy grow amid the chaos they were going through made it even better.Even their goodbye....God there was not a single tear but the pain they felt in parting with each other was clearly visible in the air between them,from their longing eyes to their p r o m i s e. It was sad but it was hopeful.
And then the tenants of the plaza...Goddd they were soo freaking adorable and all of them literally owns my heart.
And the villains also had their own thing going on that made me sooo intrigued about them despite hating their guts so fiercely.And they end they got,the gritty,violent,poetic death left me shcked and satisfied.
And now, the plot!!! It was beyond my wildest dream that how gripping and thrilling the plot was-how balanced with all and every character in the show-from their unexpected bondings to their unexpected betrayals.

Everything was planned so insanely perfectly with absolutely no detectable plot holes, especially considering the TWISTS and TURNS that had been threaded so intricately into the whole storyline that had me gasping uncountable times.
The production, the cinematography, the locations were all another level of charming.

And finally,Vincezo Cassano----my most favourite anti hero of all time!!!
He is simply incomparable---to put it mildly.And despite Vincezo comitting many sins,I loved they(the writers) didn't give him an unrealistic redemption arc but rather explored his strength, his tactics and his experience to fight ruthlessly Against those who deserved it and fight For those who needed it.
He was complex and cunning but also caring and kind.And he stayed a man of his words until the very end...Little things made Vincenzo even more iconic; from his pet pigeon Inzhangi to him cursing in ltalian whenever he got furious to him playing along with Cha young's craziness to his bromance with Han Syeok goddd it was all so adorable.
All in all it was incredibly entertaining as it was meaningful and heartfelt. All in all a poignant speculation on the classic tale of good vs evil, friendship, family, and justice.

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A very mixed opinion and review

I am a Lil biased about Song Joong ki. No doubt his acting is fabulous, but even though his Italian accent seemed very forced, for obvious reasons, I kind of blindsided it.
OK, coming to the build-up of the drama, the first 4 episodes were frankly not able to capture my attention. If the male lead was somebody else, I would have probably left the drama after the 4th episode. The actual hype comes after the 5th or 6th episode when the real fight begins. The FL's acting seems very very forced, the laughs, the normal dialogue delivery, everything rather seems very forced to me. I understand she has a rather bold role, but she could have delivered it more naturally. It felt as if she was trying very hard, but she just couldn't match up to what the actual role needed.
Next, I feel they revealed the real owner of Babel a little too early, they could have kept us hooked on and on a cliffhanger for a tad bit longer to capture our attention. Ok Taecyeon's acting was just magnificent. He made the psychopath role seem so darn natural. It is a role that can be easily done very poorly, but I think he did a fabulous job.
My favourite part of the show was how by the end all the tenants of Geumga Plaza and Vincenzo and team became one big family. They made the viewers feel as if they were part of the family. Secondly, the episodes after 13 were very interesting. That is when they caught up to the interest of the viewers. They ended on very sensitive points where it would leave us wondering what would happen next.
The ending was absolutely unpredictable, and that was the BEST part about the show. It's been a long since I saw a different ending in a long time. The way they shifted the gold was just BIG BRAIN ENERGY
Overall, the costumes, suspense bg music, and other props addition were very well done. I wouldn't mind re-watching this show solely because of SJK, but for somebody who isn't attached to any of the leads, it's is probably a one time watch. However, I would highly recommend watching it at least once.

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Great

I didn't feel that vincenzo was boring. I felt that its too much of violence and I really don't appreciate Vincenzo's approach. This drama is somewhat similar to The fiery priest(100% recommended and its so funny) but the fiery priest did a good job with the ending and how the corrupt people are sent to prison. The villain is really good! The actor nailed it. My favorite thing about this drama is the funny side characters and team work

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Was scrolling through the comments here and some are just way too harsh lol but each to their own I guess. I personally thoroughly enjoyed the show. Each episode almost an hour and a half so it was lengthy but it kept me engaged so that's a big plus in itself. Loved the cinematography, loved the characters and their dynamics with each other. The actors played their part well according to the demand for the type of show it was. At times there were some ridiculous things in the plot but honestly I didn't care much. The push and pull between the good and bad parties each episode was exciting. The villains had me wanting them to die a horrible death. I had some good laughs throughout the show as well. Oh and this drama probably had the best episode endings I have seen in dramas. Vincenzo definitely one of my favorite dramas of the year so far.

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