Contrary to all the mediocre reviews on here which are written around the time of the show's release (and hype) - I'm writing from when the hype is long dead and I'm now watching it a few months on.

I do think if I watched this during the hype, it would have been disappointing, but having gone into the show with no expectations - I thoroughly enjoyed it very much. I also wasn't an SJK fangirl before watching the show, having seen him in Descendants of the Sun (and didn't fall in love with him during that time like everyone else lol) - I can safely say that after watching this I am very impressed with his acting and can see why he is popular not just because of his looks.

If you go in expecting seriousness, violence and a thrill - then you'll be disappointed.
It's a show that's serious but with a funny undertone, where the undertone sometimes overpowers the seriousness (?) I loved that they took the Mafia genre known for being dark/violent- and flipped it on it's head by injecting some good old K-Drama cliches, tropes and humour which I loved. Yet at the same time retaining the violence and Vincenzo's anti-hero character throughout the show.

To some, the sudden gag moments may be jarring, though I found them laugh out loud funny and didn't find them jarring at all, but well timed. The absolute fan-service story-writing does undermine the seriousness, but if anything it made me love the show even more. As a long time KDrama viewer, I actually found these cliches comforting. Can I join the consigliere fanclub too?

This does all come from a place of glorifying the Mafia/violence, which can be problematic to younger viewers however.

Were there plot holes? Yes. Could the characters be written and explored better? Yes.
But only yes if you're taking the show too seriously with high expectations, rather than a typical K-Drama (and from the trailer I can see why they may have overhyped it too much as something else). That's not to say K-Dramas can't be of quality writing and there sure are plenty out there. However, it seems to me that the writers wrote it as a timeless K-Drama piece to be enjoyed whenever and wherever, rather than some next-level disruptive show with some deep meaning. They wrote it knowing and intending it for the international K-Drama lovers - who specifically watch K-Dramas for their cliches and tropes across time.

Loved all the many easter eggs, Taecyeon's acting was fantastic. The quality of shooting , editing and cinematics are very impressive. I am a SJK fan convert and I can see why he is daddy now.