Vincenzo (2021)

I love this over-the-top series but...

I thought it was a straight-up gangster drama bec of the 1st scene but it wasn't and i liked it like that.
What i loved:
The tenants. Weird and flawed but they could go up in arms to defend Vincenzo.
The younger Jang brother. Man, he had the greatest likeability factor in this show with his character devt!
SJK. I mean, who doesn't want to see that face on tv? Even 4k tv could not find a single blemish on his face ?
Romance was in the back seat. I liked that love angle was not front and center of this show. But the writer just couldn't help it and forced it in the end ugh!
What i hated:
Romance in the most impt back seat. Damn! All i can say is that Vincenzo in love was a helpless, prideless, undeserving-of-a-brother's-love prick. Have you seen it? Well?
And the kisses...whose blood was it that was wasted so you can have those kisses with the (weird) lawyer lady?
The brother's blood that was wasted unnecessarily. I still can't get over that fact.
Still, i loved this series despite the last episode. Flawed but powerful.

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My Favorite Part Just Might Be the Familial Bonds Created

So as I stated in my "review" for Island, I keep notes on a show as I'm watching it, to help me write a review later on. But just like Island, I think instead of writing an actual review, I'm just going to put my notes into here. Maybe someone who's seen the show will find my random upset commentary hilarious. There are, of course, spoilers in here.

The tenants have nothing but your word to go on. Why on earth would that be? He's a lawyer. Why would there not be a written agreement? Make it make sense.

The daughter is insufferable. I get she's supposed to be, but she really is just unbelievably selfish.

I cannot believe the dad actually died. I legit cried. It's not bad enough that that fat, nasty grunt killed him and the only remaining researcher, but she made sure to smear him with all of the crimes they were committing?

I get the concept that they have all this money and power, but you're telling me the original complainant suddenly states that he was lying all along, then 14 researchers die in an explosion that would be easy to discover was arson, then another researcher turns up dead as well as the opposing counsel and no media or citizens or anything find it odd?

I'm super disappointed in Vincenzo's reaction to Yu Chan's death. I get he's cold and that's his thing but it would be nice to have seen a moment when he awoke, just him by himself, clearly reflecting. I know they had that moment a bit when the car hit them and he was laying there looking at Yu Chan, but still.

Why is prosecutor lady acting shocked that bodies are stacking up when she started this shit? Oooooh I love her being locked in the laundromat with the white truck flashing lights at her. SOOO SATISFYING.

Omg... he's the villain!? Okay it's a day later and I'm back to watching but I'm so confused because Jun Woo does seem to actually care about Cha Young. Like laughing at her getting out of the car blowing kisses and jumping up when she passed out. Like, those things seemed beyond the fake pretend stuff he does with others?

Cha Young is doing a terrible job of pulling off this trial crap. Her smiling and looking smug when the lights go out and stuff is annoying.

Okay so Jun Woo is clearly insane but so weirdly charming. Also, Ok Taec Yeon's English is great. I love that they keep sprinkling it in there. "STAY... IN... THE... CAR!!!!"

The prosecutor and all the victim's families all at the same time in addition to the other hundreds of bodies and NO ONE is suspicious!?

I know Jun Woo is a psycho but man that dinner scene where he makes his brother cut his throat is wild. I've thought for awhile that surely at some point Han Seo is going to turn on his brother because he'll eventually reach his breaking point but if that didn't do it, nothing will.

Ahn finally getting to reveal who he is to save Vincenzo is so great. He's so extra, I love him.

I know she is meant to be a villain but Myung Hee is legit the most evil villain in a kdrama that I can recall. Legitimately. She's not just vile, she's disgusting. Just everything about her. Her face, the way she dances, the way she eats, her attitude, just all of it. I CANNOT wait for her to get what's coming to her.

I know he's also a bad guy but I almost feel bad for Han Seo because they're about to go hunting and I don't see this going well for him.

As soon as they got down to the gold I knew dude would try something. Wait, one gold bar? Oooooh the file!

You know what else is super annoying? How Myung Hee bosses her literal boss around. She'd still be a gopher at the prosecution if it wasn't for him.

It took way longer for Han Seo to attempt to turn on Han Seok than I thought. I also cannot believe that Seo Woong Ho (the prosecutor working with them) is also actually working against them. I get that no one can be trusted in this show but wtf!

Okay so I kind of love the couple that was meant to get engaged at the art gallery. I also love how much fun they're having at Geumga P. All of them together having fun is so cute.

Okay the pigeon thing was cheesy but I LOVED IT. Btw, if a pigeon saves my life, he's now my new roommate. The room is his. I'll sleep on the couch.

So this newspaper guy has been following all the Babel drama so closely so his newspaper can put a spin on things but he doesn't recognize Vincenzo or Cha Young? lol

Man, I'm actually rooting for Han Seo to team up with Vincenzo and Cha Young.

Okay finally found a plot hole. How on earth would Vincenzo be guilty of killing Mr Oh when his dead body fell from the rooftop while Vincenzo stood IN FRONT of police as they all watched him fall. Make it make sense.

Myung Hee is pathetic. Why on earth is she willing to throw herself under the bus for Han Seok? I mean, she's always been pathetic but come on.

I'm actually going to be so upset if Han Seo dies.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Tell me Han Seo is not really dead!! Omg that pisses me off so bad.

Myung Hee's death was brutal. Most importantly, that was his favorite lighter and he just tossed it and left! Noooo not Mr. Lee!!! Also, I still miss Han Seo.

EDIT: How'd he get the lighter back? lol

Mr Lee is alive!!!?? I love that! I just wish we'd find out Han Seo actually lived and they pretended he didn't to protect him from Han Seok until Vincenzo could take him down.

I'm disappointed with the ending. I get it, but I'm disappointed.

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This over the top action, black comedy spoof was my cup of tea.

I loved how Vincenzo Cassano coolly handles all that is thrown at him whilst sporting bespoke Italian suits. From airport muggers, cooing pigeons, betraying partners, corrupt officials ....... the list goes on.

He seems an unlikely thug with his neat appearance yet he handles the fight scenes with aplomb. Using his Mafia savvy he outsmarts and out fights his way whilst plotting how to remove tons of gold from under a building.
His running mate is thrust into her role and it is a radical about face for her after her father is is murdered. The role is tough and she pulls off the about face realistically. Together they make a formidable team.

There are numerous excellent actors in the ensemble and scary violence is juxtaposed with slapstick humour, this may not appeal to all, I liked it. I was pulled along by the rocking pace and unexpected cliff hangars that were resolved with quirky twists.

Expect lots of laughs, murders, violence and law breaking it is a hell of a ride.

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Vincenzo the character

I've only watched this once and I had huge expectations from it. But, Vincenzo the character was not up to my expectations. I always got so worked up when I see the evil guys in kdramas get away with anything just because they have unlimited power at their disposal. And Babel was the perfect example of that. So just like Hong Yu Chan, I wanted some monster who could go head to head with them, who doesn't have to think abt law and goes beyond it. And that's what I was expecting of Vincenzo's character. We were shown how ruthless he can be in the first ep where he was in Italy. And I was excited to see the same in Korea, but Vincenzo's Korean version was more of a subdued kind. I get he's in another country where he has to abide by the law or else he might get arrested. I get it but that's not what I wanted to see when Vincenzo decides to get more involved after Yu Chan's death.

There were moments when we got a glimpse of his old self when he burned that factory or fought with Babel's men late at night or when he went on a rampage after his mom's death. That's what I was expecting to see from him when I started the series - a man who goes beyond the law to punish the evil men/women. And that's why I like the Italian Vincenzo better than the Korean one. I could summarize my disappointment in one scene - when he shoots at the detective guy working for Myung Hee I was rejoicing only to be disappointed to see he had faked that and kept the guy alive. Sure he kills him later on in his own sweet time.

The last ep has to be my favorite one for sure! The way he takes revenge on all of them *chef's kiss*. Now that was what I wanted throughout the series!! In this respect, I think Taxi Driver scores the goal with its revenge theme (only watched 4 ep but totally my style)

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Loved It

The story mainly focuses on revenge. It doesn't focus too much on romance, which I loved the most about the story. It's all about revenge, planning, plotting, schemes. Also loved that the hero not always wins nor always the villains it's 50-50. The way Vincenzo Cassano took revenge & execute his plan is soo satisfying.

Loved the cinematography of episode 1, mainly the villa shot & the way Vincenzo Cassano & threw the lighter with so much attitude uff.

Poor Vincenzo Cassano getting robbed on the first day returning, then cursing in the middle of the road like a madman.

Hong Cha Young is smart but childish, so childish that she sometimes annoys me. She sometimes overreacts, which is too much sometimes.

Jang Jun Woo is all innocent but don’t fall for his innocence he nothing but cunning.

Loved how Vincenzo Cassano punished the teenager for smoking.

Loved how randomly Vincenzo Cassano woke up from coma as if he was never in a coma.

Loved how Vincenzo Cassano scared the shit out of that bitch in ep 4.

Yeah, the lab burned down.

Laughed how Vincenzo Cassano & Jang Jun Woo showed off in front of Hong Cha Young that they can handle spicy foods.

The surprised look on that bitch & everyone's faces when they saw the car that Vincenzo Cassano & Hong Cha Young drove to the court is priceless.

Loved episode 6 ending twist also loved ep 7 back to back twist & turns.

Laughed how the doctor’s wife beat him up in court.

Loved how the villain was a maniac after losing the way he reacted & took action against the leads.

Laughed my ass off when Hong Cha Young pulled the guy's hair off.

Poor Vincenzo Cassano & his reaction when Hong Cha Young asks him to seduce someone.

Loved how Ahn Ki Seok entered & took Vincenzo Cassano with style in ep 11.

Loved how Vincenzo Cassano took revenge at the end of ep 16.

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What i liked:
*First episode in, i didnt like the male lead. He came of as a cold hearted/ violent person. I was sure i wouldnt root for him but by few eps he changed my mind and made me root for the character. I think it was because of the brilliant portrayal of the story.
* First 3 eps, i hated the female lead . She was so annoying, came of as a greedy loud selfish person for me. I was so damn sure i was gonna hate her. But i was pleasantly surprised i really started liking her as episodes progressed. She had great character development. She was smart and intelligent and as eps progressed she made me sympathise with her character why she was the way she was . She had no one except her father. She had no real friends . She was practically alone . She had a only true friend and that was vincenzo
* This is one of the few dramas where the couple had great chemistry from start. The moment they become a team, they both were amazing. As they both were smart and badass, their teamwork was brilliant . They had so much trust, companionship, loyalty and understanding . They practically behaved like a husband wife throughout the show. I think thats the main reason for this drama's success.
* I saw slight romance tag so i was expecting little moments of them with each other but they both are together throughout the show. There was romance but the case solving was given more importance

What i didnt like:
* The villain gave chills and he was actually too scary to watch in some scenes. Ok taecyon played his both dorky and scary version brilliantly. Agree the drama is nothing without the villain but some of his scenes were actually scary gave the chill.
* I hated the female lawyer who teamed up with the villain. She was freaking irritating from the beginning be it her dance , the way she speaks and as a whole detested her. Would have felt better if i didnt watch her for 20 eps.
* I didnt like how the villian's brother was treated throught the show.
* Above all i felt it could have been made into a shorter drama with usual 16 eps. 20 eps was too long and felt draggy.


Overall a great drama with great comedy, law and some romance

PS : There are a lot of reviews for this drama already. This is actually for the future me cos i tend to forget the details abt what i watched after months

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He is a consigliere member of a Mafia family

He arrives in Korea and straight away the people he meets rip him off. They don’t know that he was part of the mafia in Italy. Now they have illegally taken away his building. They don’t know what they have done. What he will do to get it back.

Oooooh! It’s exciting and fun. They are underestimating him at every turn. They don’t know the terrible things he’s done in the name of the mafia.

Song Joong Ki looks so clean cut, sleek and immaculate but his favourite means of revenge is fire and intimidation. He recruits his team of collaborators from those hurt by the chemical firms.

I love this drama so much Song Joong Ki has transformed himself into this pseudo-villain and he and Jun Yeo Bin have this Bonnie and Clyde vibe going on. It’s so sexy, provocative and vexatious. Wow! Just want the episodes to keep flowing forward. Every week is like a taster for the next exciting event and experience. I can’t wait for what they are going to reveal next, because the real villain has materialized and shocked us all.

Some episodes are just crazy and Kim Yeo Jin/Choi Myung Hee is just the wrong actress for this. I don’t find her that believable in that part. I just find her pathetic and inadequate when she overacts. Not like Song Joong Ki/Vincenzo Cassano he is so cool, handsome and has that dangerous vibe going on.

I like Vincenzo Cassano and Hong Cha Young’s relationship of equality. She is what we call in New Zealand, a hardcase, funny yet super intelligent. She has guessed that he is in the Mafia. She is getting feelings for him but they don’t have chemistry yet. She is such a comedian.

Vincenzo Cassano biological mother is dying and on the execution list for a murder she didn’t commit. He has been ignoring her because she abandoned him and that is why he ended up with Italian adopted parents, but I think that he is beginning to get compassion for her.

This drama has it’s comedic moments then back to serious and deadly. Roll on next week

Well yeah! There was a bit of a lull mid drama but the real villain has hotted things up with a spate of killings. The brothers Jang Jun Woo (Mr Lunatic) and and Han Seo (Mr Wimp) but I think that both of them are totally psychopathic. The older brother has Daddy issues that haven’t really been explained or I missed it.

Vincenzo Cassano has mummy issues stemming from him being abandoned in and orphanage when he was young but he coming to the realisation that his mum had reasons for it that he didn’t know of when he was a child.

I was looking at the name Vincenzo it reminds me of incendio.

Shades of my Harry Potter experiences.

This cold hearted man is getting feelings for this girl that he has no chemistry with the leading female. Yikes! no way!

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Unique and Tremendously Entertaining

Not Your Usual Crime Drama

I didn't watch this flick right away because the first scenes supposedly shot in Italy were the only scenes I found interesting and entertaining on Episode 1. I saw funny memes about Song Joong-ki and Oc Taecyeon on social media and thus made me binged watched the 12 episodes over the weekend.

Halfway of 2nd Episode was the turning point for me! The over the top funny gestures, facial expressions and sarcastic and wise cracking lines was just unexpectedly entertaining!

Episode 6 and 8 was just super hilarious! Those are my most favorite episodes so far.

In the first few episodes Oc Taecyon as an antagonist was so charming and cute but a little scary at the same time. On Episode 10, his character started to become horrendous, it's hard to see him adorable anymore.

What I love about Vincenzo is that you don't need to wait for several episodes to get revenge or justice. It gives you satisfaction to at least feel a little bit of balance between good and evil every episode so it doesn't get too frustrating or tedious for all things good to be in place.

I love how tacky the jokes and funny scenes are sometimes but it's creatively and expertly acted out, it doesn't come off that way. Sooo amusing!

I can't wait for the next installment!

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one of the best dramas song joong ki ever did

this is one of the best dramas song joong ki ever did. this is a ongoing kdrama and i couldn't wait to write a review until the drama ends, trust me it's that good. the main character's chemistry is in another level, their dark humor and everything in this drama is so perfect. just every episode in this drama is so perfect and each episode gives such a thrilling vibe to it and its just unique in their own way. the first episode is everything its the one that hooked me in to this episode for the 1 to 4 episodes are the best. its such a cool and thrilled drama, just knowing that they are fighting for justice is just everything. i am a big fan of song joong ki and this drama just made me to even love him more. it's killing me to wait until Saturday to watch a new episode. i highly recommend this drama:))))

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I'm not a fan of law dramas, I only wanted to watch this for my girl but with this writer it's just like they made a Hani role but without Hani, it's a spitting replica of the fiery priest character

the law stuff is booorrriing, yet another revenge story with evil people doing evil stuff and talking about it over dinner.. korean villains are become like the LAMOS from totally spies

the worst part is the lack of balance between serious and comedy. one second they're all hotshot poker face people and the next they're like Goofy the Disney character

the fl is super over reactive, she's a walking 2nd hand embarrassment and the ML is like a giant baby throwing tantrums
then there's the whole mess of the tenants, everyone is out of a parody textbook, I literally couldn't care less about them. just pointless time and space fillers

basically all of this criticism is directed at the writer, they just kept repeating their comedic sense from chief kim and kept repeating it in different settings


also Kim Nam Gil, Namgoong Min and Hani are made for this comedic sense but Song Joong Ki and Jun Yeo Bin are better off in serious roles


the plus side, my girl got another casting call and I loved her outfits, honestly she looked so hot in the stills..


She's more comically aggressive than Hani, Baek Inha, Veronica Park, Hwang Jungeum and even Lee Yori...
I went from "aw my girl is a total boss lady", to "aw look she's acting cute" and ended with "what the heck is wrong with her"...

And worse the other smart boss lady is also as over reactive with the weird dance and crazy facial expressions. That is not comedy and I loved Pegasus Market and Spring turns to Spring

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WATCH. IT. WATCH IT NOW!!!!!

OMG!!!!! I HAVEN'T FELT THIS EUPHORIC SINCE HEALER!!!

Honey, The Actinggg??? A+
The intricacy and brilliance of scheming??? Elite!
The comedyyy???? GOLD
CHILE THE EYE CANDYYY????? OH SO DELIZIOSO ??!!!!!

This was not a drama with a good side and a bad side. This is no "good triumphs over evil" drama. This is a fight over who's the Badder Baddie. I know we're only in the first half of the year, but this is already the drama of the year. IDC IDC. Tbh I'd love for there to be a strong contender before the year is over, but honestly idk that anyone can top this. This storyline by itself- the dark hero that gives the bad guys the punishment they deserve without pretending to be no goody-two-shoes- gives such a cathartic feeling of "HELL YEAH!!!!" that literally has you drunk on adrenaline after every episode and craving more. Factor in the amazing actors, the brilliant writing, and stunning visuals and I can already tell the withdrawal symptoms are gonna be severe with this one. I rated the rewatch value a 9 only because some of the joy of the series is the plot twists and surprises so this wouldn't I do think some of that would be lost in a re-watch but I definitely see myself coming back in a couple of months for a full rewatch and definitely will be indulging in short clips on YouTube.

Let's dive into some of the characters, shall we? ⛔️SPOILERS AHEAD ⛔️

THE GOOD BADDIES:

SONG JOONGKI IS SO HOT FOR WHAT?!? And the range chile. From Hot sexy action daddy to comedic genius older bro, to cute puppy in love all at the same time y'all. He's phenomenal and honestly he better get ALLL the end-of-year drama awards. ??Vincenzo Cassano??, my Mafia Zaddy with a big heart. Tbh I usually don't like morally compromised leads because I struggle to support them fully but he was so brilliantly written as doing this for the little guy that I couldn't help but fully encourage him to kick some a$$ and blow some heads off. Obviously, I know he did stuff while he was in the Mafia that was most definitely NOT to defend the little guy...but they didn't focus too much on that and just lead us to a point where we would very happily follow the man to jail.

JEON YEO-QUEEN-BEEN!!!! NUFF SAID but here's some more anyway. Hong Cha Young was never an angel but oh how I relished her further villainous corruption. Her father dying was her true villain-origin story and the queen dived right in and took her rightful place by Vincenzo's side. I love that she's crazy and funny but is DAMN good at her job! I laughed and cried with her so obviously her acting is superb. The only queen deserving of my King ??Cenzo??.

The entire Gemga Plaza squad. Y'ALL WISH YOU HAD A SQAUD SO FLY AND TALENTED. QUEEN SEO MI RI, the beautiful and talented hacker turned piano teacher, NAM JOO SUNG, special effects master and member of the Cornsalad Daddy ??Cenzo?? fan club along with National Intelligence Service agent, AHN KI SEOK, and wrestling athlete YANG KYUNG WON. The whole building was badass and I can't list everyone but dammit even the MONKS came throughhhh. Not sure if Geumga squad would count as baddies but they're sha not totally on the right side of the law.

THE BAD BADDIES:

DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE FINEST BADDIE TO EVER DO IT- OK TAEC-ME-DADDY-YEON!!!! Your faves could NEVER look so hot covered in pig's blood- Damn, girl we really went there? YES, WE MF-ING DID!!! Bro I have NEVER hated someone so much (a testament to his acting) but also be absolutely delighted with and enamored by his crazy (again hats off to the acting)- totally see the appeal of toxic relationships now. Although I missed Joon Woo's puppy-in-love character.....I was absolutely here for the Psychotic Babel CEO murderer. I wanted him dead but enjoyed his pretty face enough to happily watch 16 episodes of him being an a$$ (he was sweet in the first 4). I really wanna give Ok Taecyeon all the accolades because idol actors get such flack and he consistently proves that he is a master of his art and no one can look down on him.

Choi Myung Hee: She's literally the worst. Hate her a$$. Literally wanted her dead so much I was begging every episode. She has zero remorse, not cuz she doesn't know what that is like our diagnosed psychopath Jang Hang Seok, but because she chooses not to be remorseful. She's a cruel, loyal af leech that's looking for power and will crush any and everyone to get it. AND SHE'S ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!! Kim Yeo Jin (actress) has such range in acting!! I have seen her play the sweetest mother and the evilest queen. I have loved her and I have despised her. SHE. IS. BRILLIANT!!!!

Jang Han Seo: I honestly don't think my baby deserves to be in this section because he really is the bestest boy but I guess since he was on the other side for most of the drama I'll put him here. My baby was a tormented and bullied soul. The people who should have loved him used and humiliated him almost crushing his spirit and sense of self. As soon as he saw a lifeline (Daddy ??Cenzo??) he grabbed it and hung on to it for dear life and love. I AM SO FREAKING PROUD OF HIM. MY HEART IS SO FULL WHEN IT COMES TO HIM AND I NEED KWAK DONG YEON (actor) TO PLEASE JUST STAR IN SOMETHING WHERE HE'S HAPPY!!! My man is always suffering abeg. IONTBO, My Strange Hero, now Vincenzo. Man always has such horrible luck with family mehn. Can we just have him be born into a loving family and he can meet a nice partner and just be freaking happy. He deserves that!

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Cornsalad Daddy ??Cenzo??fan club: Kim Sung Chul (Tae Ho's sugar daddy) and that Tailor that got Vin fitted for his new suits

WATCH. IT.

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