Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Vincenzo, which has completely taken the K-drama world by storm with its unique blend of Italian mafia culture and Korean corporate corruption. This isn’t your typical revenge story – it’s a sophisticated dark comedy that redefines what justice looks like when the law fails.
Vincenzo premiered on tvN from February 20, 2021 to May 2, 2021, delivering 20 episodes of pure entertainment gold. Each episode runs approximately 75-85 minutes, giving viewers a cinematic experience that feels more like a weekly movie than a traditional TV series. The series stars Song Joong-ki as the title character, alongside Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon, Kim Yeo-jin and Kwak Dong-yeon, creating an ensemble cast that brings both gravitas and unexpected humor to this crime thriller.
What makes Vincenzo special is its fearless approach to moral ambiguity. This isn’t a story about heroes and villains in the traditional sense – it’s about finding justice when the system is corrupt beyond repair. The show masterfully balances dark comedy with genuine emotional moments, creating a viewing experience that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.
From Italy to Korea: Vincenzo’s Quest for Hidden Gold
At the age of 8, Park Joo-Hyeong went to Italy after he was adopted. He is now an adult and has the name of Vincenzo Cassano. He is a lawyer, who works for the Mafia as a consigliere. Because of a war between mafia groups, he flees to South Korea. What starts as a simple mission to retrieve hidden gold from a Seoul building becomes an intricate web of corporate corruption, tenant solidarity, and unexpected romance.
The beauty of Vincenzo’s plot lies in its unpredictability. Just when you think you understand the direction the story is heading, it throws you a curveball that completely shifts your perspective. The show expertly weaves together multiple storylines involving the residents of Geumga Plaza, each with their own secrets and motivations, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives.
The central mystery revolves around gold hidden within the building that both Vincenzo and the corrupt Babel Group desperately want to claim. However, what could have been a simple treasure hunt evolves into something much more meaningful as Vincenzo finds himself genuinely caring about the people he initially planned to manipulate.
Vincenzo Cassano: The Anti-Hero We Didn’t Know We Needed
Song Joong-ki delivers a career-defining performance as Vincenzo Cassano, creating a character who is simultaneously charming and terrifying, sophisticated and ruthless. His portrayal captures the essence of someone who has lived between two worlds – Korean by birth, Italian by choice, and ultimately belonging to neither until he finds his place among the unlikely family of Geumga Plaza residents.
Vincenzo’s character development is masterfully crafted throughout the series. We see him struggle with his identity, torn between his cold, calculating mafia persona and the warmth he feels for his newfound Korean family. The show doesn’t shy away from showing his brutal methods, but it also reveals the pain and loneliness that drive his actions.
What makes Vincenzo compelling is that he never pretends to be a good person. He owns his darkness while slowly learning to embrace the light that others bring into his life. His relationship with justice is complex – he believes in it, but only when it’s delivered on his terms.
Hong Cha-young: The Perfect Match for Chaos
Jeon Yeo-Bin plays Hong Cha-Young, the type of attorney who will do anything to win a case, and she brings incredible depth to what could have been a one-dimensional character. Cha-young is ambitious, morally flexible, and initially motivated purely by success and money. However, her evolution throughout the series is both believable and inspiring.
The chemistry between Song Joong-ki and Jeon Yeo-been is electric, but it’s not built on typical romantic drama tropes. Instead, their relationship develops through mutual respect, shared trauma, and a growing understanding that they’re both outsiders who have found their match in each other. Cha-young doesn’t soften Vincenzo or make him “better” – instead, she embraces his darkness while he learns to appreciate her fierce independence.
Her transformation from a win-at-all-costs lawyer to someone willing to fight for justice, even when it’s not profitable, feels organic and powerful. The show never asks her to give up her edge or ambition; instead, it redirects those qualities toward something meaningful.
When Justice Takes Its Final Form
The final episodes of Vincenzo are a masterclass in payoff and catharsis. Every character arc, every planted seed, every seemingly minor detail comes together in a symphony of perfectly orchestrated chaos. The finale shows Han Seok letting nothing stand in his way of revenge, while Vincenzo seeks justice the mafia way, giving his enemies a slow and painful death.
What makes the climax so satisfying is that it doesn’t rely on last-minute saves or miraculous interventions. Instead, it’s the logical conclusion of everything we’ve watched unfold. Vincenzo’s methods may be extreme, but the show has spent 19 episodes demonstrating why traditional justice has failed these characters.
The emotional weight of the finale comes not from the action sequences, but from the relationships that have been built throughout the series. When Vincenzo finally gets his revenge, it feels earned not just because of what his enemies have done to him, but because of what they’ve done to the people he’s learned to love.
Success on Netflix: A Global Phenomenon
Vincenzo got off to a good start, premiering to an average nationwide rating of 7.7 per cent, the third-highest premiere ratings of any weekend tvN drama to date. The series became a global sensation on Netflix, introducing international audiences to a uniquely Korean take on the crime thriller genre. It became the 6th highest-rated drama in tvN history after its finale, cementing its place as one of the most successful K-dramas of 2021.
The show’s success lies in its perfect balance of familiar elements and fresh perspectives. While viewers might recognize the basic framework of a revenge story, Vincenzo subverts expectations at every turn. The series proves that K-dramas can tackle dark, complex themes while still delivering the emotional satisfaction that fans crave.
Why Vincenzo Redefines the Anti-Hero Genre
If you love morally complex characters, sophisticated storytelling, and dark comedy that doesn’t sacrifice emotional depth, Vincenzo is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This isn’t just entertainment – it’s a masterclass in character development and narrative structure that will leave you questioning your own definitions of justice and morality.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 20
Platform: Netflix / tvN
Release/End Year: 2021 (February 20 – May 2)
Rating (IMDb): 8.4/10
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime Drama, Dark Comedy, Romance
Status: Completed series
Main Characters: Song Joong-ki (Vincenzo Cassano), Jeon Yeo-been (Hong Cha-young)
Antagonist: Ok Taec-yeon (Jang Jun-woo/Jang Han-seok)