Vincenzo (2021)

July 30, 2023

Our Take: A flashy, over-the-top drama that revels in its own absurdity. 

When he was 8 years old, Park Joo Hyung (Song Joong Ki) was adopted by an Italian family. However, after his family tragically dies in an accident, he joins the mafia and is adopted by Don Fabio, head of the Cassano Family. Renamed "Vincenzo Cassano," he becomes the family's consigliere, lawyer, and Don Fabio's right-hand man. When Don Fabio passes away, his biological son and the Cassano Family's new leader attempts to murder Vincenzo out of jealousy.

On the run, Vincenzo flees to Seoul to recover gold bars he had hidden with the help of his former business partner in the basement of Geumga Plaza. There, he meets lawyer Hong Cha Young (Jeon Yeo Been), a ruthless and ambitious attorney at Wusang Law Firm who will do anything to win a case. As he attempts to recover his gold, he meets resistance from a subsidiary of Babel Group, a large pharmaceutical conglomerate that has illegally taken ownership of his building. 

To reclaim his property and fortune, he joins hands with the Jipuragi Law firm, run by Hong Yoo Chan (Yoo Jae Myung), Cha Young's father. Initially, he clashes with Cha Young, who represents Babel Group. However, when her father gets murdered, Cha Young resigns from her firm and takes over Jipuragi to help take down Babel Group with Vincenzo. Because Babel Group is not afraid to resort to violence, Vincenzo resorts to his mafia methods to serve his version of justice.  

What makes Vincenzo stand out is that it takes a flashy comedic approach to its dark and gritty premise. Its jarring juxtaposition of absurdity next to themes of crime, corruption, violence, and justice allows you to find delight in the ridiculousness of everything. From the plot to the characters and storytelling, the drama is a parody and an ode to Korean dramas, gangster shows, and anti-heroes everywhere. 

There is a good mix of lovable protagonists, iconic villains, lightheartedness, romance, betrayal, and jaw-dropping cliffhangers. In particular, the intense cat-and-mouse game between Vincenzo, Cha Young, and Babel Group leaves you on edge throughout each episode. Despite its over-the-top façade, the show is keenly self-aware of its silliness and wholeheartedly embraces it while hinting at something more.

Similar to other Korean dramas like Taxi Driver and The Devil Judge, Vincenzo is a social commentary on the corruption in Korea's government and corporate systems. But, the show's core concept lies on the premise that to fight a monster, you need to become an even bigger monster. 

Through Vincenzo, we see someone who embodies the anger we feel when criminals get away with heinous crimes, when politicians abuse their power and accept bribes, and when corporations frivolously toss their money around to cover up illegal activities. In a perfect society, society would be equal and just. But the reality is that money and power corrupt and allow people to get away with almost anything. 

Vincenzo is presented as an anti-hero who has a lax moral compass and is not above breaking the law to deliver justice. His persona embodies someone who will stop at nothing to deliver retribution, regardless of the means he has to take to get what he wants. Vincenzo is unapologetic, opportunistic, and brazen — someone we can live vicariously through and find refuge from the realities of our society. 

Sometimes, we just want to see the good guys win and the bad guys lose without any repercussions. In real life, being morally pure and upright is often not enough, especially when fighting against people with no moral compass or issues with breaking the law. Vincenzo does not offer a realistic solution to society's woes but instead acts as a fictional escape. 

Like most anti-heroes, Vincenzo is a morally questionable but intriguing character. Coming from an Italian mafia, he is no stranger to violence and brutality. He has no qualms about putting up a fight, breaking laws, and even taking someone's life. His strong sense of justice is intertwined with his desire for vengeance and thirst for blood. 

Because the line between good and evil is blurred, Vincenzo's actions often make it hard to differentiate his evilness from the antagonists'. He is no ordinary hero and is not held accountable for his wrongdoings. Yet, he skillfully earns the respect and admiration of those around him.

By his side is Hong Cha Young, an eccentric but intelligent lawyer. Like Vincenzo, she is a morally ambiguous and complex protagonist. She's unapologetic, bold, and loud — a welcome change from the typical demure and quiet nature expected of women. But, Cha Young hides her vulnerabilities and loneliness behind her ambitions and quirkiness, only opening up to people she feels comfortable around. Despite her flaws, Cha Young's personality shines, and she slowly grows on you. 

Together, the pair gradually develop a healthy, respectful relationship. They go from strangers to reluctant partners in crime to soulmates. Vincenzo and Cha Young's connection runs deep despite the lack of skinship or grand declarations of love. They chose each other and consciously work together to find happiness and peace. It also helps that they are fun to watch and know how to put on a great show.

The villains, notably Jang Hang Seok (Ok Taec Yeon), Jang Han Seo (Kwak Dong Yeon), and Choi Myung Hee (Kim Yeon Jin), also delivered stellar performances. Ok Taec Yeon as Hang Seok was a deranged psychopath who demonstrated his pure evilness with conviction. Myung Hee was just as evil, making you hate her character to the core. Meanwhile, despite Han Seo's misdeeds, you can't help but sympathize with his circumstances. The tenants of Geumga Plaza were equally entertaining to watch, bringing comedic relief to the drama while growing and developing as the episodes progressed. 

Final Thoughts

Vincenzo is a dark comedy with various themes, including vigilant justice, corruption, violence, and romance. One moment, you are left on the edge of your seat dreading what's to come. The next moment, you are laughing at the sheer audacity of what you are watching. While critics felt the drama was too over-the-top, this outlandishness is precisely what defines Vincenzo and made it so popular.