BALANCED RATIO OF CRIME, EVILNESS, CROOCKEDNESS & JUSTICE.
MY OPINION 10/10I know it sounds lengthy but trust me you will be amazed for what what you find here.it is an amazing combination of a perfect story, beautiful setting and also the hard word of an extraordinary cast and crew.
the story revolves around a mafia lawyer vincenzo who is termed as a "cat that is full"(as the plays with his prey before he really kill him) comes to Korea in order to accomplish a secret mission. he meets an old lawful and just lawyer Hong Yoo-chan
who stands up for the weak. there relation takes many turn until Hong Yoo-chan dies. thus vincenzo joins his daughter hong cha young to bring downfall to a company babel and its merciless director.
the story is over all the best of best if you love any of the following
1)crime
2)mystery
3)crookedness
4)little romance
5)psychopath villain
6)cruel but just hero
7)scumbag systems(government0
8)revenge
9)strong female lead
10)funny side story
11)exploration about one own conscious mind
***this also speaks about the power of the normal people as well as what should one really fight for.*****
****************************************************************************************************************************************
Was this review helpful to you?
The Series brought out all of my emotions
This Series made me laugh, cry, have aggression, be sacred, flip out... just everything. The series from my pov had everything I needed in a drama the comedy, the unexpected plots, the romance(not too much yet cute) and the storyline in general, was well written. The cinematography and the visuals were well-made and the acting was good.Firstly let me clear things out. I like law, thriller & revenge dramas so if you like these genres too just stop reading and go for it. I'm always ready to binge-watch a good revenge series.
20ep is a lot and each episode is like 1h 20min long and I didn't notice it. The series didn't feel that long, each episode wasn't boring to the point that I'm pushing myself through. The pacing for each episode was normal but from ep 18-20, there are a lot of things happening, for me the pacing was a bit fast.
The Storyline of the Series is not bad tbh. There were also a lot of plots but it didn't give me the impression that it was too much. Each character had its own story but we didn't get too much background from the side characters more from the MC. You also experience friendship more like a family between the MC and side characters, Geumga Plaza Gang ;). The comedy in the series was actually funny and wasn't cringe. The series had me laughing out loud. I also liked the balance between comedy and revenge.
I would be lying If I said that the series didn't leave me empty at the end. We got what we wanted revenge, yet there was still an open ending that wasn't that well made. To be honest the ending felt kind of rushed but it was still good.
Overall the series came, ate and slayed.
If you are still hesitant, let me tell you to go for it you won't regret it and actually might fall in love with it like I did.
Was this review helpful to you?
Pure satisfaction!!
It took me a while to savor the gist of this drama as the first few episodes were a bit complicated and boring for me, but as I continue watching, the plot just got better and better, and it reaches the climax in the last few episodes, that was EPIC! Although the episodes are longer than normal Kdramas and one episode is 80+ mins, but the story was pretty comprehensive! Not draggy and fast paced, especially in the second half!Similar to Fiery Priest and Chief Kim (as they are from the same writer), it all presented in a dark comedy kind of series, with a righteous leader, great amount of fighting scenes, a storyline of corruption and some witty yet hilarious plot throughout. I really enjoyed all of these because it just had all the humour, emotional and thrill in a show, really exciting and fun to watch! This drama in some ways, blows my mind with the integration of mafia and allows all the killing and gun shooting. Well honestly it's kinda weird if you were to think how the male lead can "lawfully" kill and torture so many people, but in other way of thinking, these were the best parts of the show!! I don't know about the others, but I just find all the parts where the king of evil are dealing with the demons were so satisfying to watch! So, I just chose to savor it, don't care if it makes any sense, as long as it entertains!
Applaud to all the casts, they were all equivalently goooood! Song Joong Ki literally slayed the role and was really cool in all his fighting scenes! Not to say, it really gave me a great laugh whenever he was being "harassed" by numerous guys hahaha! Literally everyone in the show is treating him like a meat on the plate! XD Taecyeon was pretty good too, although I personally find him not so suitable for the role, his face just looks too kind for the role, doesn't look bad and scary at all, the starting part of him being a dumb innocent rookie suits him much better! But it was a great spinoff in his acting career, good for him! :) Dongyeon, as good as always, he always pulls off all kinds of characters, a cool one, a psycho or even a coward but kind-hearted little brother. Gosh, and why do his roles always make people wanna protect him so much?
I like the Geum-Ga squad too! I always enjoyed how they make random people come together to fight crimes, it's sooo satisfying, and when you thought they were just some gossiping neighbors, it turns out to have so many hidden experts within, just look at the pigeon and you’ll know HAHAHA!
Well, I would say maybe not all might enjoy this, but generally, YES! This doesn't have much love story (almost none?), it's more about a deep end conspiracy with a group of people led by a mafia lawyer to fight crime and save the day!!! So if you are looking for a good story, this is it!
Was this review helpful to you?
Wasted Potential
Fair warning.. this is gonna be an unpopular take, but here’s my two cents.The biggest flaw with the show is the story and how it progresses. The original concept for the show is good. A ruthless consigliere from Italy comes to Korea to reclaim a hidden vault of gold. The first episode is killer, and it’s what originally hooked me, but the entire plot quickly devolves into cheap thrills. The plot points are predictable and there is a complete lack of character motivation. The original character motivations that the show introduces fly out the window. There are so many character decisions that don’t make sense. The show depicts the characters to abide by a certain set of principles and suddenly those same characters renege on those same ideals. A small example if you will: Hong Cha-Yong was introduced to be greedy and with somewhat loose morals, yet she drew a hard line on violence. The moment she meets Vincenzo, violence is now suddenly justified in her eyes. In another instance, Vincenzo is shown to carefully and methodically think himself out of difficult traps. But when plot armor is needed, he suddenly becomes the dumb protagonist that barges in without a second thought.
Unfortunately, the show’s problems don’t end here...
In my eyes the most controversial aspect of the show is the comedy. It’s completely and utterly absurd. The comedy doesn’t feel natural at all. It’s as if the characters know they’re in a drama and are making gags at that fact. It’s incredibly hit or miss. I won’t lie and say nothing lands. Some of the jokes are solid and had me chuckling out loud, but out of the 20 episodes this was far and few in between. The general outline of the plot is pretty gritty and intense, and out of nowhere the comic relief kicks in and it falls flat so often. It’s incredibly jarring and pulls you out of the show immediately.
The casting is excellent. Song Joong-Gi is excellent in his role. His kinda scrawny stature had me questioning how ruthless he can appear, but he completely convinced me. A+ performance. Jeon Yeo-Bin is charming and does justice to her character. The real limitation is the writing for her character. I think she did as well as she could have given her script. Without revealing any plot points, there are side characters that had interesting potential that, unfortunately, was not realized.
Final thoughts:
At the time of me writing this review, the show is rated at 9/10. This is grossly over valued in my opinion. No chance this is the same quality as shows like Flower of Evil or Stranger. This show is best described as wasted potential. The writers went hard into slapstick comedy mixed with extremely intense crime drama, and the two genres did not mix.. at all. There were seriously good merits in sticking with either or, but the mix killed it for me. I watched this weekly so it was bearable. Not entirely sure how bingeworthy it is, but I can say I won’t be rewatching this.
Was this review helpful to you?
This is pure GOLD ;)
Strong partnership between leads✓ Friendship✓ Action✓ Perfect amount of suspense✓ Comedy✓ A sprinkle of Romance✓Are you looking for a drama that'll have you hooked straight from the get go? Yes...? Well then sadly you'll be a bit disappointed, because the first few episodes are a little slow, but don't let that discourage you from watching more, I promise it'll eventually have you hooked. Besides that, are you looking for a drama that gets more and more addicting with every episode? Big cliffhanger endings? Plot twists? Smart main leads that make the best decisions, are perfect partners in crime and have great chemistry? Scenes you can't help but rewatch at least 50 times because of how cool or sweet they were? Well then you're in luck! This is the perfect drama for you!
Vincenzo will have you dying of laughter one minute and on the edge of your seat the next... It's so good and all the actors are perfect for their roles. And what I noticed was the fact that the suspense continues onto the next episode and doesn't just finish at the end of that previous one, it was refreshing and definitely gave me something to look forward to, as I knew it would be just as thrilling. I have never felt more alive while watching a drama holy moly!
However, one down side to Vincenzo is that there are so many brief and perhaps unnoticeable plot holes that I wished were explained or at least touched on in the end but sadly weren't. And keep in mind that it is very comic-like (villain vs villain, lots of revenge, over the top, etc.) So this may not be for everyone.
Song Joong Ki and Jeon Yeo Bin's companionship is just everything, they'll definitely become an iconic duo in the drama world. The whole time I'm just thinking 'CAN THESE TWO JUST GET MARRIED ALREADY!' And Ok Taec Yeon's acting is just incredible, his characters duality though?? Of course I can't forget to mention the plaza residents, I love how their bond grows stronger and stronger as the story unfolds. The Cassano Family (°◡°♡). I like the depth in each character and their relationships, they aren't just black and white, more like different shades of grey, you just don't know what to expect next. One of my favourite castings of both main and supporting characters - including Inzaghi.
To sum it up, Vincenzo is worth watching (or at least giving a try)!
Was this review helpful to you?
An epic kdrama unlike any other! Mix of comedy, courtroom drama, suspense and excitement!
To start off, Vincenzo was definitely not what I'd expected it to be. When u google 'Vincenzo', the first thing that comes up is 'Dark Comedy' as its genre. Let me be very clear; Vincenzo is not dark comedy.While dark comedy would mean subtle hints of comedy within a serious plot (more like Breaking bad or Suits), Vincenzo is more like Comedy + Dark / serious plot, which means sometimes you will find extremely serious plot, while other times it will be very comedic in nature. It is a clear mix of both genres, and sometimes you might also find other genres like tragedy, suspence, romance etc. Also, it is nothing like the Godfather (if you are expecting it after reading the word mafia), it is more of a courtroom drama in my opinion (barring a few episodes). However, that does not change the fact that it's ABSOLUTELY ENTERTAINING!!
I will agree to what most reviews state that this is unlike any other kdrama out there. From its cinematography, to the actors and the music (OMG THE MUSIC!) everything is phenomenal. Ofcourse it does have the usual tropes, but it doesn't drag on it too much, and most of it gets a satisfactory end. And it definitely has some jaw dropping moments that will take you by surprise and leave u gasping!
My only disappointment was the main villain's role.(DISCLAIMER: LIGHT SPOILERS)
When it started off, I was absolutely in love with how the villan was being plotted out; from the grand reveal, to his background story.. everything seemed perfect to the point that I was convinced he would be my favourite villan of all time! However, sadly it didn't live upto my expectations in the later episodes. I was expecting a very strong villan, who wasn't just a psychopath, but a mastermind too. However, he eventually lost that luster. There were no more mind games or exciting moves from his side, it was just Vincenzo stealing the spotlight.
Apart from that however, Vincenzo is an absolute treat. The acting is amazing, the drama is intense and the comedy although silly, will give you a good laugh. For anyone who is looking out for a good quality drama, and doesn't mind a mix of all genres, Vincenzo is highly recommended!
P.S. : First 3 episodes are very slow, but don't drop it there. Wait till the end of episode 4 and trust me, you will keep watching! ;)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Everything is perfect in this drama
This drama is my TOP 1. You would never find a better actor than Song Joong Ki to play the role of mafioso. His italian pronunciation sounds very naturally. The appeareance of actor also fits the character very well. The show is half comedy and half action genre. The comedy parts are very original, totally something new in Korean series.Regarding action parts, it is good to see that the main characters uses a brain and not only fists to fight. If you are bored with all these main characters which are obsessed by fighting with a pride without using dirty trick, this show is for you. Vincenzo is the only show I know in which the main character is not trying to play innocent and he doesn't try to change his behaviour. The is aware that sometimes the violence and killing someone is necessary to win.
The soundtracks keep you in suspense and gives you chills.
There is a nice atmosphere between main characters, without any stupid arguments or breaks ups.
The madness of the antagonist and his anger attacks which are quite funny.
Was this review helpful to you?
VINCENZO or Un diavolo scaccia l'altro
"Un diavolo scaccia l'altro"This is the best way to describe this amazing dark anti hero drama with writer Park Jae Bum emblematic dark humor that makes it so deliciously good and witty....
Start by saying that this became my favorite drama of Song Joong Ki and that he really gave life and soul to Vincenzo, that i can see no other than him play him...
Now into the story,it doesn't shy from the ugly and evil side of humans and shows us what greed does to one...Also doesn't shy from great villians in this case Prosecutor turned Lawyer Choi Myung Hee (Kim Yeo Jin) who we could very much say was the true evil of this story and Jang Jun Woo (Taec) who is a more typical villain that still has it's layers...Like mentioned,i truly consider Choi Myung Hee as the true villain of our story as every action were of her own free will and i like that the writer didn't try to excuse her behaviour with the usual tragic past ,she was evil because she choosed it.
This show gave us a anti hero who was smart,elegant,creative,who had his own principales and beliefs and abided by them while he also was a lonely soul who was tormented by his own demons and actions. You will still root for Vincenzo from start to end and even love him as you could laugh a minute and be scared the next.But be aware,Vincenzo already has a lot of fans and a fanclub "Oh My Consigliere" so do join in, the President aka Ahn Ki Seok more than sure will welcome you!
This is why I like Vincenzo. It is funny but dark, it is full of satire & sarcasm, it is full of reality and poetic justice. It is heavy at times, light on the other. The writing is very clever. The cast has been superb.
The BGM's and Italian/opera-inspired music mixed well in each scene meant to elevate it.
This is a story from the get go about morally grey people were some are worse than others yet still sprinkled with kindness even among it showing the effect of one fighting in what he believes and for those he cares.
Must say that the Director really knows how to keep one on the edge and wanting more with it's clifhangers
Was this review helpful to you?
DEXTER/GAME OF THRONES MEETS KDRAMA WORLD !!??
This show left me extremely frustrated and ultimately disappointed. A part of me does not understand the massive appeal and praise it is getting let alone the insane ratings on this website. Another part of me knows exactly why it has attracted the audience's attention or why it will be remembered for a long time. When I started this show I could see the vast potential it held, but bit by bit my hopes went down the drain as the season progressed. My analysis stems from personal preferences and conscious/subconscious biases, so I hope you keep that in mind as you read ahead (though I've tried to be as objective as possible). Before I get into with my criticisms let me highlight what I enjoyed about the show.What Worked???
1) Interesting Characters: The show boasts of a huge cast. Various types of characters from all walks of life have been utilized to push ahead the larger plot. I particularly enjoyed the antagonists of the show. The uniqueness to them, their thought process, weaknesses, character profile and interests made the story worth watching.
2) Stylish Aesthetics: The makers definitely kept in mind all the style requirements of the script. Just like the Bond movies, this series required showcasing luxurious and sharp cinematic geography. Not only did they pay attention to the wardrobe requirements (especially of Song Joong Ki) but also celebrating the narrative spectacle. The makers did a good job of consistently visually enticing while making every facet of the story larger than life, which eventually made the show enjoyable (to some extent).
3) Fascinating Idea: The core concept of Vincezo rests on the idea that “only one shade of evil can sabotage the other shade of evil in the quest for justice”. This notion has been used in many movies or dramas across the world, especially in the context of vigilante justice. But what was interesting was a Kdrama flirting with the world of Italian mafia to execute this idea. Even though the story is primarily based on Seoul and on the nexus between corporate sector, politics, judiciary, criminals and law enforcing officers, it did borrow elements of mafia practices to enrich the story.
4) Quality Acting: As usual, kdramas seldom disappoint in this section. Everyone did an adequate job in portraying their characters. Song Joong Ki was able to skillfully steer the show based on his performance (considering the whole plot revolved around him). Jeon Yeo Bin was refreshing in her portrayal of a quirky yet intelligent lawyer. However as I said, the antagonists of the show were the ones that left a formidable impact on the viewers. Ok Taec Yeon was absolutely stellar as a sassy yet scarily eccentric psychopath (who would’ve thought he is capable to demonstrating such evilness with so much conviction). Kwak Dong Yeon has only been improving with every project he has undertaken, so I have huge hopes for his future. And finally, Kim Yeo Jin was brilliant at making me hate her character’s sheer guts to execute whatever she did in the show.
What did not work???
1) Genre Mix-Match Gone Wrong: Now we all know that kdramas are excellent at mixing various genres and presenting a hard hitting story without losing its essence. However, this was not the case in this show. The dark element of this show was higher than any average mainstream kdrama. Bloodshed and gruesome deaths were a key element of the story. But the constant jump between intense scenes and comic elements diluted this seriousness. Now of course this was a conscious decision to lighten the mood of the show for the audience, but honestly it did more damage to the narration and atmospherics. This cracked the illusion of the world the show was trying so hard to build. And the makers did this throughout the series. This deteriorated my interest in the story and I felt least invested in the fate of the characters. The romantic element was still bearable because it was between two mature adults and was not over done. Their chemistry was natural, believable and sat in tandem with their character growth.
2) Glorification of Vigilante Justice: Picking up arms, practicing violent means, breaking laws and challenging the system is the core element of vigilante justice themed movies/dramas. I am not a hard line critic of this genre however this depends on the shade of darkness the protagonist brings on the screen. If I have to simply put it, Vincezo Cassano is a man no normal person would want to be associated with, no matter what. His character reminded me of Dexter and to some extent the brutality seen in game of thrones (of course not as prevalent as GOT). As a protagonist he shocked me on various levels. Throughout the show I felt troubled to understand what I feel for him. His moral compass was highly questionable to say the least. But in the show the kind of respect and admiration he enjoyed made me uncomfortable. His principles that guided him into taking someone’s life were nothing more than self justification, which were unfortunately validated by people around him. But what was worse was that there was no sense of accountability or repentance seen in his actions once the whole chase ended. Vincezo was never held accountable for his actions whatsoever, which begs the question how is he lesser evil than the antagonists? If the villains portrayed a black spectrum then Vincezo was maybe charcoal coal grey at the risk of turning black. The line that differentiated him from these people was painfully very thin (or nonexistent by ep 20). These factors made me question him as the protagonist of this show and hence I was never able to cheer for him wholeheartedly.
3) Mockery of Logic: The world building in this show was almost juvenile. An entire intelligence organization overlooked a mafia member’s activity in the country especially when he has been very nosy in the business of the so called prominent people of the city. The one guy who was given the responsibility to look into this matter eventually ends up being his biggest fan boy. Furthermore, the chief of such a powerful agency becomes a pawn in his larger plan to bring the bad guys down. The Interpol was easily convinced by him to let him do what he wants because he has a knack of making offers that no one can refuse (pun intended). The justice system is a joke, as they can be easily toyed by Vincezo to get what he wants. There is no outsmarting him and every government organization with the best infrastructure, resources and communication network can be used by him for his goal or undermined by him to get what he wants. This was tad bit too much for me to swallow. I have seen many action movies/dramas where the protagonist has to be presented as a heroic crusader for justice. But the makers have to sell these facts convincingly. After a point everything seemed silly.
All in all Vincezo is memorable for frivolous factors like some punchy dialogues, glamorous wardrobe, visual appeal and beautiful aesthetics. But beyond that the show lost its core essence after first few episodes. It lacked depth and genuine insight into the purpose of their characters and their actions. According to me this is an overrated show which will continue to be popular and recommended to kdrama newbies for years. However it failed to woo me.
Was this review helpful to you?
I recommend watching it.
The plot and story were very well thought out. I was shocked at the plot twists in almost every episode.I read someone saying that they didn’t like the FML’s acting, but I loved Jeon Yeobin’s acting, FMLs don’t usually act that way, so it was nice to see something different.
There were not a lot of romantic scenes, there were more revenge/anger and comedy scenes.
Oh, the comedy in this kdrama was amazing. There’s usually only one actor that would be the funny guy, but on this one there were like 5 guys who would be in charge of the comedy.
Ok Taecyeon… Wow!!! *clap, clap, clap*
Was this review helpful to you?
Vincenzo: A Perfect Blend of Action, Dark Comedy, and Justice"
Vincenzo is a thrilling K-drama that masterfully blends crime, dark comedy, and action with a touch of romance. It follows the journey of a sharp-witted consigliere navigating the complex world of power, corruption, and justice.
What sets Vincenzo apart is its unique storytelling, which balances intense action with humor and clever twists. The protagonist is charismatic and ruthless, making for an exciting watch as he outsmarts his enemies with style.
The drama boasts a strong cast, delivering powerful performances that bring depth to the characters. The chemistry between the leads and the dynamic supporting cast add charm and humor to the intense storyline.
With stunning cinematography, well-choreographed action scenes, and a gripping soundtrack, Vincenzo keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. It’s a must-watch for fans of crime dramas with a mix of wit, suspense, and entertainment.
Was this review helpful to you?
Refreshing
Vincenzo is really a refreshing drama. The base story is actually quite used in dramas. A corapted company uses everyone and everything to be on top and a team tries to bring them down. But the way they use it and the whole plot is really new. Everyone more or less is a villain, this isn't a battle between the wrong and right. It is a battle between the wrong and the wronger (I don't even know if this words exists...). And it isn't dark, it is actually a comedy. I won't speak about the ethics or the morallity or the message this drama leaves behind, I saw a lot of people speaking about that in others reviews/comments. Even if I don't agree with the way things work on the drama, I don't think this is important. It isn't the type of series in which the viewer look to the meaning of life and the morals, at least for me there is series I watch for the messege and series I watch because they are refreshing, new and interesting ( like come on, everyone watched Game of Thrones and no one cared about the nonexisting morals or the violence -much worse than Vincenzo and people justified Ramsay-, everyone loved Daenerys and she burned everyone in the end). Moreover, the concept "bad coglomerate/good lawyer with morals and fighting the evil in the right way" is overused in k-dramas, no one would care about it. They had to do something different. And for me, fortunately they did it...Vincenzo isn't a hero, not even an anti-hero, He is a villain, he knows it, we know it and he doesn't want or care to be nothing more. And I really like that and, even if sometimes a good redemption arc is really nice, Vincenzo doesn't need it. Or better, if he had one of those, he would be totally out of character. The only heroes is the residents of Geumga Plaza. Even Hong Cha Young is an anti-heroine. One more point of the plot, was the great characterization of women, Hong Cha Young, Choi Myung Hee, the women of Geumga plaza. Strong yet sensitive, memorable and interesting. It is really rare to watch a k-drama and love the FML. Overall, the only thing I personally didn't like was the end of Choi Myung Hee and Jang Han Seok, the plot as well the cinematography and the shots of the scenes was a bit too much and they weren't necessary.
Also, I have to speak about the cast. Everyone was really, really great, and I mean literally everyone. But I believe Ok Taecyeon and Kim Yeo Jin was fenomenal. They were psychos and I loved them.
Last but not least, aesthetically pleasing and amazing shots. I am an architect and this means a looot to me (completely symetrical shots with Song Joon Ki in the middle and amazing lights...). And of course, really good music and music themes. They were the perfect choice for every scene (The scene in the first episode with Vincenzo, the fire and this music is what made me think, Oh God, I love this.)
(English isn't my first language, so I am sorry for any mistakes.)
Was this review helpful to you?
