Vincenzo (2021)

I am glad that I didn't dropped it

So it took me 5 days to finish the first 9 episodes and 2 days for the last 11 episodes. It was pretty good drama. At first I didn't like it. I didn't understand what was going on. So I was gonna drop it after watching 3 episodes. But somehow I didn't dropped it and kept watching. Then again when I was in the 10th episode I thought that let's not drop it just put it in hold, take a break and start watching it again after few days. But OMG. From the 10th episode the story became so much amazing and enjoyable. It kept getting better and better with every episode. As I said I finished the last 11 episodes in 2 days. The story seems so slow in the first and it keeps getting better as the show goes on. There was so good action/fighting scenes. I also laughed very much watching the show. Some scenes was so well thought. I didn't like the comedic approach from the characters to be honest. But some people might like it. So overall it is an drama that's definitely worth watching. But you need to have patience as the story is kinda boring in the first. And there was some unwanted scenes just to make the drama longer. You can skip some scenes if you don't like it. And the drama is usually longer than other dramas. Each episode is longer than 80 minutes. So yeah as I said you need to have patience in the first few episodes only after that you will love watching it.

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Entertaining and fun to watch!

I enjoyed the drama quite a bit and give it a solid 8. I definitely think people should watch it. There were lots of things to love about it: the acting/cast, humor, action/fighting scenes, and thrilling main plot was fantastic.

However, I did detract some stars as there were a few things I would change. I think the beginning and middle was stronger than the end, as around episode 16 the pacing and side plots/characters went from tight and potent to loose and spaghetti like which detracted from the satisfying end. I felt like instead of fleshing out so many new pointless side characters (like the campaign guy towards the end) that it should have fleshed out already involved characters more and tied up some of the previous loose ends from earlier episodes in a neater way instead of just in the last episode during that montage to show that time had passed. It also seemed like the female main character disappeared in the last couple of episodes until the climax and was instead turned into a plot device. It was like the writer didn't want her character to know all of what VC did as they didn't make her character able to condone that level of revenge.

Also, I thought the villain reveal wasn't that iconic and was super obvious from the beginning and I thought was meant to be obvious for the audience as they didn't try to mask it at all and revealed it fairly early on in addition to the obvious clues. I was kind of hoping that a different character (the one related to the villain) was the true villain all along and was going to unusual suspects us at the end, I was disappointed that wasn't the case.

Though as I said, the show overall is really great, and the characters are unique and fun to watch. Give it a shot!

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Tonally disjointed with a nonsensical plot

Sigh. I'm so disappointed with "Vincenzo". I didn't expect a drama about a Korean adoptee who becomes a consiglieri in the mafia to be the second coming of "The Godfather", but I did expect much more than a legal drama that reduced the courtroom to a circus with a seemingly invincible and ridiculously deranged villain.

The first three episodes definitely have their flaws - most notably the strange comedy that feels disjointed from the more serious tone of the main story. However, the plot seems to have direction. Vincenzo's goals are clearly defined, the conflict that prevents him achieving said goal is established, and the event that spirals everything out of control is executed perfectly. The build up of tension across those three episodes left me with my jaw on the floor and ready to see how Vincenzo executed his revenge through both legal and illegal means.

But, by episode 5 I was already beginning to feel tired with the drama: the writer was speeding through so many scenarios, it was clear to see that he was going to run out of steam and that the story would drag across 15 more episodes. And I was correct. Because by the end of episode 9, not only is Vincenzo no longer calm, collected, calculative and cunning, but he's just plain stupid. He executes all his plans in the most haphazard obvious way, its a surprise he doesn't end up dead within five minutes. The writer keeps telling us that he's this intelligent mafioso, but honestly, how the hell did he last as long as he did in the mob by acting so carelessly? There's knowing when to show your hand to your enemy in order to push them into the corner, and then there's being so blatantly obvious it gets you and everybody else around you killed.

The legal stuff in this show requires so much suspension of disbelief it'll make your eyes roll into the back of your head. Anyone with an understanding of the South Korean political, economic and legal environment is aware of how much corruption is rife within the system. But courtrooms have principles and the way Hong Cha Young operates in court would get any lawyer in jail for contempt and could even lead her to lose her attorney's license. Its just so ridiculous. Its straight up comedic.

Speaking of comedy, the humour in this show is just so bad. One minute we go from seeing someone getting their head cracked open with a hockey stick, and the next minute we're suddenly thrust into a slapstick scene with the residents of Geumga Plaza. One episode basically shows a character with a domestic violence record as the source of comedic relief (really homophobic episode too). Even dark shows need moments of reprieve, but these sudden shifts of tone are so silly it undercuts the intended seriousness of the story and even results in the (many!) deaths that occur as feeling like cheap stunts. This show's body count is already so needlessly high after 9 episodes that the deaths lose all meaning. There's absolutely no pathos. And how am is the audience supposed to root for characters who keep getting other innocent people killed? Just highlights how Vincenzo is basically a dumb ass in a nice suit.

The acting and the direction are the only things that kept me going for as long as I did. Song Joong Ki somehow manages to make Vincenzo seem like a smart, cunning, almost Michael Corleone-esque character even though the script is constantly working against him and his Italian is atrocious. Jeon Yeo Bin does the best she can do with her character: her face acting when she's allowed to be more than just an over the top drama queen is honestly really good. She's capable of conveying anger, sadness, grief in ways that don't seem exaggerated at all. I'm definitely going to check out her other work, hopefully she gets more material that helps her shine as actress, because she really doesn't have much to do here besides be a bitch or Vincenzo's lackey.

There are some excellently directed sequences here. Episode three is definitely a stand out in terms of direction. The director is very aware of ways to build tension. But it can't cover for how bad the story is.

Don't waste your time and watch "Flower of Evil" instead if you want a good, tightly plotted thriller that isn't brought down by the more ridiculous aspects of the writing.

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Episode 1: Chess Mafia Analogy

After breaking out of jail, SpongeBob seizes the opportunity to eat corndogs instead of Krabby patties. Cinderella also likes wood shoes as snow white likes snot shoes now. Because of this, they want to launch a new store. A nunchuck store with a weenie detector for all those weenies out there. Wreck-it Ralph also launched a new candy store filled with lots of doves. They love to do things publicly: like even looking at each other's bottoms to see that wonderful hole for reproduction. And you might be saying, what is this about the movie [VINCENZO]? Well the movie, I suppose to say series or episodes are good and I highly recommend you to watch it.

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A series from the bad guy's point of view?? I eat this sh*t up

First things first: I'm Italian, so watching Vincenzo for me has been... an experience XD

I loved this series. Despite the (expected) stereotypes about Italians and the mafia, I could thoroughfully enjoy it.

What I love the most about this series is that the main character is a villain. He is a bad guy, a criminal, a guy who knows that he doesn't deserve Heaven or redemption, who is aware of his being bad and doesn't act like he wants to redeem himself.

The series doesn't hide or try to soften the fact that Vincenzo is a criminal, and I loved it. Up to the very end, you don't get some cheesy message like "yeah I did bad things, but for the right reasons because I believe in justice". That's just bulls*it, you won't find any "legal" justice here.

Don't get me wrong, Vincenzo is far from being unlikeable. In fact, he's very much likeable and you can't help rooting for him even when he does 'bad' things. But as you watch, in some remote part of your brain a voice says "wow, this guy is ruthless". And yet you can't help but fall in love with him for so many reasons.

Song Joongki in this drama is simply Oscar-worthy. And I loved how they managed to use the whole cast well despite having so many characters. I really grew fond of every single character.

Chapeau at the whole team behind this drama because they made 20 episodes of 90 minutes each (each episode is like a movie basically) and yet I never felt bored for one minute while watching it. It's pure entertainment! I wouldn't rewatch just because it's really really long, but who knows! I might rewatch my fave episodes in a month's time. There are many great epic moments in this!

Last thing I want to say is: Moonlovers should have had this kind of ending. It was that easy to give it a happy ending. Thank you Vincenzo for giving me my happy pill!

Ps: despite this drama not really romanticizing Italian mafia, I also think they painted a way too 'cheerful' picture of it. And unfortunately there are no charming guys like Song Joongki, so remember: MAFIA IS BAD!

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Almost perfect, if it wasn’t for one episode

I went into this show with high expectations - I had heard that this was the best show of 2021 - and for the most part I wasn’t disappointed. The acting, plot and music all go together perfectly and the show doesn’t get boring.

However, I was hugely disappointed by episode 8. I felt like they wanted to have lgbt representation but it came off slightly h*mophobic. The whole thing of manipulating the gay ceo and then using his phobia against him seemed too cruel just for a plot point that doesn’t get mentioned after that much. If it wasn’t for that episode i would have no complaints

Overall, it was an enjoyable series :)

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ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

There is not one thing about this I did not like. Story of a Korean boy adopted by an Italian mafia family. The ML is perfect for the role. When he speaks Italian (which I read is his voice) it will make you swoon. The FL is gorgeous, funny and quirky. The tenants in the building Vincenzo is trying to save are very interesting and also very funny. The ML bad guy is pure evil and he and Vincenzo make for evenly matched adversaries. Even my husband enjoyed watching it and is the only K drama he watched to the end. The ending makes a Season 2 look possible. Please have a Season 2!!!!!!!!

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Definitely unique

I just finished Vincenzo and going in, I definitely didn't know what I was getting myself into. This drama, for one, is a dark comedy and I didn't even realize that until I started watching. It's a mixture of seriousness with over the top comedy to balance it out. I really liked the cinematography and of course, the visuals of Song Joong Ki and Ok Taec Yeon. Initially, I didn't like Hong Cha Young but she grew on me, she was a fierce independent woman with so much sass and attitude, I loved it! The only about this drama is that it ran long and it had so much to set up so it actually took me a while to get through these episodes. Even though it was entertaining, it didn't hold my attention so much that I would have to binge every episode. I found myself pausing a lot and just doing other stuff. Overall, it's a good, entertaining watch and Song Joong Ki was absolutely gorgeous in it but definitely not one of my top favorite dramas.

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Every bite. Same taste.

Food analogy: Well garnished Jajjangmyeon, where every slurp is equal. From start to end, (might not like the first bite due to improper mixing, thats upto ur taste)

I have a problem within myself, i tend to be
disappointed with endings. If we notice the flow of energy, they didn't leave us on high...showing Vincenzo n Hong cha young's kids or leave us on low, showing the yearning to meet Vincenzo.. It left us on a neutral note, Showing his life will go on and we can't guess how it will be. So, I couldn't ask for more.

Despite having first 3 slow episode, this drama will keep you hooked and at the edge of your seat. Bored in lockdown? Watch Vincenzo. Now that it is complete you can binge and forget about ur problems for a day or two.

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tellement drôle que cela en est inoubliable

Que faut-il pour qu'un drama soit potentiellement un succès indéniable?
Tout d'abord Park Jae Bum.
Qui?
Le scénariste du géniallissime "Chief Kim" qui détient le record (selon mon très humble avis) de la meilleure bromance du monde EVER et du personnage le plus déjanté et futé du monde EVER.
Il a d'ailleurs à son actif "Fiery Priest" qui est à mourir de rire aussi, le très connu "God's Quizz" que je n'ai pas encore vu (Cela ne saurait tarder...) ou le très touchant "Good Doctor" (repris par les américains mais sans la magic touch de Park Jae Bum et de Joo Won, surtout lui...)
On lui pardonnera tout de même son erreur de parcours "blood", la perfection n'étant pas de ce monde (sauf Hong Gi Oppa).
Alors oui, ce scénariste est un génie de talent qui a su écrire des histoires extraordinaires et nous dépeindre des protagonistes fabuleux. Mais si cela devait être suffisant, beaucoup de drama aurait été des succès planétaires. Une histoire prenante, des personnages fabuleusement drôles, des vilains super vilains, un super héros incroyablement sexy et classe....pour camper tout ce beau monde, il n'en fallait pas moins de grosses pointures et le premier, la tête de gondole n'est autre que mon "number one in my heart" ( hum...j'ai au moins un "number one in my heart" dans toutes les catégories hahaha) : Song Joong Ki. Mais.
Avant de commencer, résumons un peu l'intrigue : Vincenzo, un membre de la mafia, avocat et conseiller du parrain, s'en retourne en Corée après le décès du chef de la famille mafieuse Cassano.
De retour en Corée pour des raisons un peu vénale, il faut bien l'admettre : récupérer un moncel d'or caché dans les tripes d'un immeuble où logent des locataires tous plus ou moins étrangement timbrés. L'idée de départ, repartir avec cet or est très très vite submergée par les problèmes rencontrés des-dits locataires et par extension donc, par l'immeuble qui cache en son sein une immense fortune.
Voilà notre héros malencontreusement mêlé à un combat qui n'était pas le sien. Cela ne vous rappelle rien?
Oui, oui "Chief Kim". Même cas de figure où notre protagoniste est élevé au rang de héros national et qui se doit donc devenir le défenseur de la veuve et de l'orphelin.
Mais ici, contrairement à "Chief Kim", les vilains ne reculent devant rien, et surtout pas le meurtre. Résultat? un drama sanglant, des scènes d'actions épiques et un humour décapant!
La qualité de ce drama tient en plusieurs points :
l'humour omniprésent. Cet humour, que l'on retrouve joyeusement dans "Chief Kim" ou "The fiery Priest" est ici poussé à son paroxysme avec tout d'abord un protagoniste "normal", tueur hyper cool mais froid, sans une once de pitié si ce n'est pour les femmes et les enfants, se retrouvant entouré de moult personnages tous plus loufoques et délirants les uns que les autres! L'expression "pas un pour en rattraper l'autre" n'aura jamais été autant approprié ici!
C'est un "Chief Kim" mais à l'envers. En effet, si dans "Chief Kim" le personnage exubérant qu'était Kim Sung Ryong apportait son grain de folie dans l'univers coincé qu'était le monde de la finance et des affaires, ici c'est bien l'opposé qui nous fait rire à s'en péter le bide!
Vincenzo Cassano est propulsé dans un monde de fou où tout n'est que caricature et absurdité.
Ensuite les locataires ! L'absurdité de leur paroles et actions est absolument jouissive, nous découvrons au fur et à mesure cette "famille" qui petit à petit s'allie aux côtés de Vincenzo.
De la pianiste "amoureuse creepy" en passant par le blanchisseur expert en ciseaux et en finissant par l'ex-gangster nounours, tout un panel de personnages hauts en couleurs avec pour certain un passé excitant et mystérieux, faisant de ces personnages des must à avoir près de soi en tant qu'allié, voire en tant qu'ami ! Nous avons pris notre pied lors de ces bagarres épiques où les locataires nous démontrent tout l'étendu de leur talent! Et je dois avouer que l'un de mes chouchous aura été l'agent du NIS!
Ahn Ki Seok , le président du fan club de Vincenzo!!!! ah rien que pour son magnifique saut sur le côté ou ses regards expressifs lorsqu'il regarde son idole en a fait un de nos chouchous incontestés.
Nous passons donc notre temps à rire. De fous rire en fous rire, il est difficile de prendre ce drama au sérieux. (Je vous raconte pas la scène épique de la bagarre titanesque finissant superbement sur un symbole bien franchouillard, il faut le voir pour le comprendre ou les pigeons...les PIGEONS quoi!).
Les situations qui sont tout sauf frustrantes! Oui car c'est ce qui fait aussi la force de ce drama. Tout comme dans "Chief Kim", les protagonistes font face à des antagonistes cruels prêts à en venir aux méthodes les plus horribles. Mais rarement, nos héros se retrouveront dans une impasse ou piétinés et jetés dans la fosse aux lions. Ici point de trahison, point de retournement de situation défavorable (quoique, on y a parfois cru). Non, que du bonheur, car les héros s'en tirent presque tout le temps de manière superbe. Je dis presque, car il y a tout de même des pertes, mais dans l'ensemble, peu de fois où Vincenzo se retrouvera déconfit. Ah mais j'entend d'ici les "oui, mais c'est pas drôle s'il gagne toujours? " hé bien, en ce qui me concerne, je proscris les séries où le personnage principal passe son temps à morfler et à en baver. La vie est déjà triste et remplie de situation qui nous échappe continuellement, je n'ai pas envie de voir un personnage se débattant dans la frange dégoutante de la trahison, d'échec en échec ou de drama sur drama. Non, merci. Surtout pas en ce moment.
Je dois donc admettre que c'est tout sauf proche de la réalité, mais j'ai une nette préférence pour les contes de fées, pour les histoires qui se finissent bien, pour les héros qui gagnent tout le temps... Si donc comme moi, vous adorez ces situations rocambolesques où le bien triomphe systématiquement, ce drama aura une chance de vous plaire.
Et si comme moi, vous êtes un inconditionnel de Song Joong Ki, courrez les yeux fermés, ou plutôt ouvert (sinon, il y a peu de chance de profiter de la vue qu'est Joong Ki oppa). Il faut tout de même reconnaitre que l'écriture de ce personnage est particulièrement réussi : un homme d'apparence froide et cynique cachant une sensibilité, ne se désavouant jamais tout en gardant la même ligne de conduite. Il était drôle de jouir d'un Vincenzo perdant parfois de sa superbe face à une Hong Cha Young complètement délirante ou aux locataires impunément barge. Le must? Vincenzo et le pigeon...Je n'en dirai pas plus au risque de spoiler.
L'intelligence de Vincenzo, redoutable et impitoyable se déguste à chaque épisode. Ce que je redoute souvent, voir un personnage sombrant pitoyablement dans des pièges fomentés par les adversaires n'existe pas, ou presque pas ici. A chaque attaque, il contre-attaque avec sérénité, d'une manière brillante et souvent drôlement humiliante. Il faut pourtant admettre que sans ses acolytes, il y arriverait difficilement. Ici, n'oublions pas que le drama repose sur Vincenzo et sa "famille"!
Bien que Hong Cha Young soit à première vue un personnage superficiel et "grotesque", elle évolue doucement pour devenir la partenaire fiable et loyale de Vincenzo. On pourrait lui reprocher son attitude frôlant souvent le ridicule, j'ai personnellement aimé ce type d'héroïne farfelue transpirant la féminité assumée. Le petit reproche que je pourrais faire, qui bien sûr ne concerne que mes préférences : Je n'ai pas vraiment eu de coup de coeur à leur romance. L'alchimie était bien présente et leur relation agréable à regarder. Mais je ne saurais mentir, je n'ai pas eu de papillons ou de battements de coeur face à l'évolution de leur relation. Cela ne m'empêche nullement d'apprécier ce couple dynamique et drôle.
Ah, que serait un drama sans antagonistes? Ici, le scénariste nous a donc pondu des méchants bien cruels, sans état d'âme baignant dans un ridicule qui nous les rendaient encore plus détestables! Le jeu des acteurs y est sûrement pour quelque chose et j'avoue que j'ai été agréablement surprise de voir Ok Taec Yeon et Kim Yeo Jin dans ce type de rôle, qui leur sied à merveille. Ils ont été parfaits en tout point !
Mon dernier coup de coeur : Kwak Dong Yeon. Je voyais venir l'évolution de ce personnage et j'ai particulièrement aimé la bromance entre Jang Han Seo et Vincenzo. L'évolution de Jang Han Seo était prévisible (du moins quand on a un peu l'habitude des K-dramas) mais réussi. La compassion que nous ressentons envers ce personnage a encore rendu son amitié avec Vincenzo encore plus touchante.
C'est donc un drama de grande qualité qui nous permet de rire à gorge déployée grâce à un scénario brillant et des personnages loufoques et touchants, parfaitement interprétés ! Un must to laugh sans modération!
Ma petite conclusion : Song Joong Ki est toujours aussi beau, sexy et talentueux.

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