Vincenzo (2021)

Persevere, people.

I know a lot of people come to this section to evaluate if it's worth it watching based on other's opinions. So I'm gonna give my honest opinion but regardless of that, I think everyone should try to watch at least the first episode, and ideally til the fourth. I'm saying this because I wasn't that excited until episode 4. Also, I'm terrible in giving ratings, so don't trust my grades, just read this. I'll try not to spoil anything.

So let's go.

First, the Story: I'm "relatively" new to the kdrama world, it has been almost a year since I started and even though I've watched over 50 dramas so far, it's mostly from 2016 to 2020, so I haven't watched a lot of classics but based on my experience, this "mafia" related, coming from another country, being essentially and unapologetic on the other side of the law is something new to me. The fact is that Vicenzo is someone who did, does and plans to do illegal things, despite being apparently a good person. I started not that excited because the story didn't caught my attention at first. I guess the whole Babel's Pharmaceuticals issue was not thoroughly explained in the beginning, I had a feeling that they just said "Just know Babel is bad." because the story begins in the middle of the problem, but things became more clear as the story developed (and I got more interested in it). I was surprised by three characters: a death and two revelations. Perhaps I was surprised because as I was not invested, I didn't pay much attention. So even though the first three episodes weren't THAT thrilling, a got really excited in the fourth and I have a really good feeling about it. I know a lot of people are not interested in romance in a drama like this, but I love romance in any kind of drama, so I'm also expecting a good one in this.

Second, the Cast and Acting: starting with Song Joong Ki (Vicenzo), I personally think he is a great actor overall, haven't watch a lot of dramas with him (kind of dropped Descendants of The Sun, though I plan on finishing), but I just finished Arthdal Chronicles, and his acting was amazing in it, so I expected a good job in Vicenzo and I'm not disappointed. I think he's doing an amazing job, even though I guess the writers will make him to be not as ruthless as the first episode led us to believe. I think he's good in portraying emotions, specially in the court flashback scene, we could really see him struggling inside about his mixed emotions; Now on Jun Yeo Bin (Lawyer Hong Cha Young), I not really into those type off exaggerated and loud characters like she is in the beginning, but I do believe she's slowly maturing. I guess she's trying to be someone she's not due something that will later be explained, and has deep unresolved issues to deal with. As I said, I love romance, so I think her personality contrasts with Vicenzo's, therefore I'm expecting a well developed relationship; I guess the whole building squad are there to provide comedy and lightness to the drama, and I always like this type of groups. Extra opinion: I love the Vicenzo and italian Chef interactions and I'm waiting for more.

Third, Music: I didn't really paid attention, so I'm thinking not remarkable? I did notice some italian/opera thing, which I guess fits. Will pay more attention from now on.

Fourth, Rewatch Value: can't say it yet, I'm not really a "rewatch" person, so no opinions on that.

Fifth, Overall: I think it's definitely worth watching, you can ways drop if you don't like it. But I would definitely put in the "worth watching" category. If you trust me and persevere till at least the fourth episode (the best for me so far), I think you won't regret it.

Ps.: I loved the pandemic references, they obviously are not in a pandemic (they just occasionally use masks to hide their faces), but it was mentioned playfully social distancing, quarantine and they checked temperature for a party. I liked that.

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Damn son!!!

Okay, so I put it on hold while watching this title because after ep 14, me thinking about waiting for 3 more weeks to get the finale made me anxious. I am a binge-watcher so I told my mom that we are halting at ep 14.
After that, my work got a bit tough and I got a bit late, but I really wanted to give a review. So here it is.

ACTING: Do I really need to say anything about the acting? Like really? This is a star stud....1000000/100 for the acting.
SOUND: Mmmhhh chef's kiss.....no words.
PLOT: The plot is so interesting... this whole thing is so new. Honestly, in my life of watching so many kdramas, I have never watched an MC killing off people like it's no biggie. Like it's normal. It would've been so weird if Vin being a mafia didn't kill people.
Also the comedy....a drama without a bit of comedy is just lifeless to me unless we are doing serial-killer stuff.

Also my baby Kwak Dong Yeon, writer-nim waeee??? Also I hated the fact that none of then gave a damn about my baby after he died while saying "Hyung I did well right?". Nobody had a char. dev. like my babe did.

REWATCH VALUE: Well I don't re-watch mystery thrillers (unless it's Signal or Healer or some other) so the rewatch value is less for me. Because all the mystery is gone. I'll again rewatch it when I am in my 30's maybe(currently in my 20's)


Those who are thinking if they should watch this, I have 3 things to say:
1. Yes
2. Oh YES
3. HELL YESSS

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WOW, JUST WOW

okay so, I don't know how to start but I've never written a review for any drama but this drama, Vincenzo is just wow. Like, WOW. I'm not "capping" but this drama is just chef kisses, Michelin 10 star. I swear to god, the story, the acting, the plot, etc. is just wow, it's so good to the point that I find no other drama interesting. Legit.

If you're reading this comment, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, watch it. There are no boring parts at all, If you're not a fan of horror or thriller "like me", Vincenzo isn't horrifying, or extreme so, yes. Watch it.

Lmao, this review is kinda dumb but I just want to express how good Vincenzo is lol.

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Good plot with great execution/acting..

Vincenzo was very good from the start and ended amazingly. The lead actors had the charm and their presence never faded. An Italian gangster in Korea fighting for rights, the story was unique and well executed.

The production was excellent and not to forget, the side characters aptly did their role as well. Although I had a little issue with the Runtime/No. of episodes it had (16 episodes would have been sufficient), it maintained itself till the very end with satisfying result.

I don't write much long reviews, but to summarise, Vincenzo is easily among Top 5 best Drama to have released this year..


My Overall Rating: 8.5/10

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vincenzo cassano, i will serve you.

i haven't watched any kdrama for months until i watched vincenzo. i was at first curious why was my mom laughing while watching this, given its mafia-law plot but then as i got to the first episode, i understood now why she found it funny.

the comedy balanced out the heavy elements of the drama, considering that it dealt with corruption and LOTS of blood. the geumga-cassano family will always have my heart as they did from the first episode. i love park seokdo and his subordinate's development, went from babel's employees to part of the family. although i will forever laugh at how he was very much afraid of vincenzo in the first episode.

taecyeon. my god ok taecyeon. i've watched him in let's fight ghost before, so him taking on a villain role was a new experience for me and he portrayed it so WELL! the way hanseok's personality changes when he's with chayoung to being the ceo of babel, literally *chef's kiss*. i love how jang hanseok's very unhinged, and he did justice to him.

jang hanseo, my poor baby :( i never paid attention to him because like what the characters in the drama said, he's just stupid with someone backing him up. towards the end of the drama, i felt this sort of fondness toward him, especially when he decided to turn his back on hanseok and start working with vincenzo. his death really devastated me (and my whole family) because he just found himself a brother that takes care of him and then all of a sudden, he's DEAD. i will forever cry at the way he calls vincenzo his 'hyung' and how he copies his moves.

and song joongki, my vincenzo cassano. he's literally perfect for the role LIKE? every time vincenzo shows up with this mafia aura around him, i can't help but swoon over him. he's so SOOOO sexy and the casting director really made a good job casting him as the perfect vincenzo cassano.

all in all, this goes to the list of my favorite kdramas. i never expected to watch a drama with joongki in it but here we are, having brainrot over this drama the moment i finished it. kudos to everyone!

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Overhyped

Don't let the headline fool you, I am the one who over hypes this drama to anyone I recommend it to. Honestly I have no idea where to even start because I feel like if I explain my thoughts and feelings about this show it'll be a whole ass 3 page essay and I don't think anyone wants to read that. All I can say is that Song Joon Ki is the love of my life because of this drama and I've watched mostly everything he's been in because I saw this drama. Just don't even think about it and watch it, it has everything you'll ever need, crime, law, romance, comedy, found family, an extremely hot and terrifying villain. Ever since I started watching k-dramas I never was the one to really like law and crime dramas but because of Vincenzo I've been on a non-stop watching of those genres and it hasn't been the same. When I tell you this drama changed my life, it CHANGED MY LIFE. See overhyping, just go watch it, and if you don't have Netflix I'll give you my Netflix account... jk jk.. but go watch it on dramacool or watchasian. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

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No Chemistry

The series isn't necessarily bad (based on the four episodes seen) and the actors are actually pretty good. But it's just lacking chemistry in all sorts of ways and it's hard to pinpoint why. The first episode is nothing like the second episode forward as it takes a leap from somber to an infusion of comedy. I was pretty excited that it had a relatively similar feel to the Fiery Priest in the beginning but it was short-lived. The ML/FL characters were made to be too extreme in personalities from the start and then shifted out of character very quickly and continually, which made what would have given them their individual charm a blur instead. The supporting actors were even more extreme with their personalities/quirks and it took too much realism out of what is actually quite a decent plot.

As some minor examples, the ML is supposed to be a badass high up on the chain in the Italian mafia. Yet when he arrive in Korea, he's easily drugged by a drink offered by a cab driver and then mugged? I mean, even normal tourists with any common sense would have known to not get into a random black car at the airport when the driver is being overly pushy about using their services. As for the FL, while the actress did the best she could with what she was dealt, the character was spicy but didn't make much sense. They should have highlighted more on the reasoning behind why she was working against her father before she suddenly decided to have a change of heart. The tiny explanation of their relationship right before a major event really didn't do much. Then there are the tenants living/working at the building who are supposed to be regular folk but their characters leans more towards a circus-asylum feel. The ML's interaction with them is equally awkward.

Should reiterate that the series isn't necessarily bad but unfortunately dropping the series because I've already seen how well it can be done with the Fiery Priest.

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A mix of serious action and storytelling with kimchi-slap morning kdramas

This is a really good kdrama. It could've been in my TOP5 but the absurd comedy made it less impressive for me.
I am always very forgiving with absurdity in kdramas, and this one was no exception. No way i would've let so many flaws get by in a western production, yet this is the beauty of watching a kdrama. The absurd parts are so absurd that the only thing left to do is laugh, and that's ok.

I liked the ending. At least in the end some "realism" was left and the happy ending is somehow bittersweet if you think of it.

All actors did an excellent job. Every single one of them! Side characters included!
Loved the movie and other kdrama references that were written in the script! Truly hilarious! The "2PM" jokes were also chief's kiss!

I would totally recommend this kdrama to everyone used to asian productions. It's like a really good manga/anime. Half of it it's very realistic and the other half is crack humor that doesn't make much sense but we are here for it anyway.

Just one last thing. "Mademoiselle" is actually french.

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The World We Live In

This drama has a great cast who have brought to life a very poignant story line. The director and its production crew should also be commended for portraying this story in such a dynamic manner. There are not many dramas that I would watch again but this is definitely one that I would watch a few more times. Although this is fiction, it does portray some real life aspects such as protection of family and friends, betrayal of those you wouldn't have expected or the comedic side of someone who never seemed to be more than stoic. Well done and wish there could be more of this drama.

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Perfect, outstanding, satisfying, amazing

This is one of the best dramas I've ever watched. You usually have dramas with an obvious differentiation between the good and the bad. Villains in the end would either die or get thrown into the jail. Vincenzo is definitely a drama on a different tier.

I personally never believe that a quick death is a punishment to villains. Which is why I've got to say this drama has really hit a different spot. The two worst villains - Myung Hee and Jun Woo - were portrayed perfectly. It is impossible to not hate the two of them because they are just the perfect definition of cocky, spoilt and evil. Thinking they have everything under their control and pretty much nothing in the world can stop them from doing what they want to do. Until Vincenzo comes in and spoil every single one of their plans.

There are some parts which I absolutely love (prepare for spoilers):
1) One of the early episodes where the villains lost to Vincenzo and Jun Woo commented that the reason why they always lose is because Vincenzo is creative and that's what they are lacking. I completely agree! Vincenzo would always surprise the audience with very creative and different ways of handling crisis. Just when you thought he would be toppled down, he bounces back up and strikes back harder.

2) Vincenzo was furious after they killed his mother (which is pure stupid by the way). You would think after so many altercations with Vincenzo you would know not to provoke him unless necessary. That is when Vincenzo declared war and you can really see the shift in the episodes to come. You would honestly think Vincenzo was being nice in the previous episodes in the way he treated them.

3) Vincenzo visited Jun Woo in the prison. He was telling Jun Woo the story behind his nickname - cat that is always full. That pretty much sums up the entire drama, to be honest. The entire time, killing Jun Woo and his minions was so easy but it was just too easy. A cat that is always full will play with the mouse before it decides to eat the mouse. Woah, that scene is hands down my most favourite scene in the entire drama. The satisfaction is just *chef's kiss*

4) The excruciating deaths of Myung Hee and Jun Woo. Omg. Just... omg. I have never seen such a satisfying ending. Myung Hee and Jun Woo definitely deserve every second of their painful deaths. The thought and creativity put into ending their lives, Vincenzo, again, did not disappoint.

5) All the tenants of Geumga Plaza playing Mafia together. There are quite a lot of times when they will gather together but that moment hits me differently. I love how all of them are together, each of them with a different back story, sitting together and just playing a game of Mafia together. The chemistry between the cast is off the charts. I have never really watched a drama where I get attached to every single one of the characters.

There is not one thing which I dislike in this drama and this is how perfect it is. Absolutely amazing 10/10

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