Vincenzo (2021) User Reviews

You should judge after watching eps. 3 and 4

[ysmoon-87467 · 9/10 · 28 February 2021]

Just finished watching the episode 4. Wow, it was so good. Well made mixture of thriller and comedy.

I saw a few negative reviews here written after eps 1 or 2. I recommend watching at least up to eps 3 and 4. The real story starts from eps 3. Eps 4 is like a complete well made movie. You will surely enjoy it.

Best Korean Series so far!

[refordgarry · 8/10 · 9 March 2021]

You can see the cast had a lot of fun making this Italian/Korean would-be mafia thriller, the sort of fun NOT experienced in Hollywood since the days of Burt Reynolds. Vincenzo contains a very absorbing plot, a cast star-struck by designer clothes, interspersed with Italian (and other) Classical music excerpts to set in relief some well written suspense and intrigue. The plot centers on, if we really are to believe it, the endemically CORRUPT upper echelons of S. Korean society. Is it a coincidence that many of the systemic abuses of power and institutional vice that constitute Vincenzo's Main Plot are now also going on, this very moment in the USA? It is certainly food for thought. A clear advantage this Korean drama has over mediocre US shows, however is a much softer-handed use of violence, resorting more often to satire to keep the plot moving as opposed to gratuitous savagery now so common in so-called "hit" US shows. So far, so good, Binjenzo!

A K-Drama masterpiece!

[matiashelg · 10/10 · 22 July 2021]

I've never been one to write reviews on movies or TV shows, but after just finishing Vincenzo, I can't resist the urge to share my thoughts!

This show has been such an amusement park and I loved every single second of it! I won't spoil anything, but I'll give my thought on some of the different aspects of the show.

• The story (10/10):

This show grabbed a hold of me within the first minutes. The beginning really set the atmosphere and painted the main character as a cold, calculated and mysterious person. I mean; who does not like a beginning that glues you to the screen right away. I have to be honest and say that I binged the whole show in a week due to the never ending captivity of Vincenzo and the story that unfolds around him. I'm hope I'm not biased, but this show had me from start to finish and for that I have to give the story, a top rating.

The characters: (10/10) As the show goes on, we get to know all the different characters, their personas, their believes and what their values are. All the characters are great and gives the show a perfect balance of excitement, comedy and sadness. I can honestly say that I was just as interested in Vincenzo as I was in the other characters. They all had their story unfold like a present thought out the show.

The protagonists were great, the antagonists were very good and all the other side-characters were interesting. What more can you ask for?

• The music: (10/10)

There is nothing more to say than "Bellissimo!" The music was used in a perfect manner, the choice of songs at certain moments were spot on and they really gave the show a good feeling of Italian and Korean. Much respect the the people who worked on the music for this show.

This might seem like a very biased review, but I still can't shake the feeling I'm left with, now that I've finished the show. I want to watch it again! I want to experience the opening sequence, I want to hear the music and I want to see how it ends all over again! Brilliant show! Just brilliant! If you haven't watched it, then do it! I promise you won't regret it. I laughed, I cringed, I cried and I enjoyed my way thought this masterpiece! I hope you will do the same.

If you've read this far, then I thank you for reading my thoughts about this show. Leave a like if you enjoyed reading about my extravagant experience with Vincenzo!

Pure Gold! (no pun intended hahaha)

[courtneyhwang · 10/10 · 19 March 2021]

To the people claiming that the characters are overacting; this is a COMEDY. And an excellent slapstick one at that. The show really picks up pace after episode 4, and it doesn't stop - the twists and turns are endless. Not a lot of kdramas can keep my attention for the whole run, but this definitely takes the cake for suspense, drama and the laughs. Take it for what it is, a slick and gloriously over the top kdrama.

Need to watch Episode 4!

[luckyg-65765 · 10/10 · 1 March 2021]

Slow start but it's getting much better. Episode 4 was really good! A shocking surprise I did not expect at the end. I'm truly looking forward to the next episode.

Best comedy and action drama....song joong ki's return...

[zk-82518 · 10/10 · 7 March 2021]

It is the best drama I have ever seen after descendants of the sun.....song joong ki looks fabulous....jeon yeo bin's acting is also mind blowing....it is a full fun package... really worth watching...I will give it a 10/10...

Vincenzo is the best Korean show made. The new Korean "James Bond"

[zmtpwk · 10/10 · 5 April 2021]

I love Vincenzo. Best Korean show made. And, I watch many Korean shows and I'm American. Please, Pease make a second season and more. I'm hooked. It's funny, yet the story line keeps you on your toes awaiting the next show. I see this as an alternative to American James Bond. Love the characters. The two main characters love connection is very spot on. Romantic, funny, comical, yet real. Just all around great story line. Love it love it. I could see many seasons of their quirky show and relationship solving crimes for many seasons to come..

STOP CRITICIZING THE SHOW IF YOU HAVE'NT MADE IT PAST EPISODE 3 PLEASEEEEE🙄

[kwckzcf · 10/10 · 18 April 2021]

It's such an amazing show and I don't understand why most people are criticizing it without giving it a chance. Maybe if you have the patience and watch past episode 3 then you will fully understand what the show is about. Trust, I was turned off with the first 3 episodes but once episode 4 started, I was literally glued to it. Just give it a chance. This is one of the best Kdrama's I've watched (coming from someone who is a kdrama fanatic). If you're not used to kdrama's and their comedy then I don't think it's for you. But don't leave a bad review without even giving it chance. If you watch past episode 3 then you will fall in love trust me.

Enjoyable, but the comedy is so bad and almost painful.

[zachary-68690 · 6/10 · 16 April 2021]

I have pushed through the first 2-3 slow episodes, it's now getting better at episode 4.

It would be so much more enjoyable if they comedy parts weren't so forced and cringe.

But I do like most the characters especially the MC and the fake italian chef.

Excellent

[carmencitavargas · 10/10 · 14 March 2021]

Great actors. Today, watching episode 8 I laugh like crack. It's really a great new kind of plot and has a lot of funny moments!!! Love it. I'm anxious to see the final episode but at the same time I will not want it to end!😳 Happened to me before with some dramas, recently, specially StarUp and Hospital Playlist. But this one is over the edge as of now.

Brutal mafia comedy

[dumsumdumfai · 6/10 · 22 May 2021]

A feel good Italian mafia comedy is hard to come by. Let alone a Korean one.

To feel good the good guys had to win. All the time. But such is not the case here. There are lots of death here. Very calculated. And many fight scenes, albeit simplified and comedic. Together with a fairly sizeable support cast. And most are really one dimensional. Only the 3-4 are somewhat fully fleshed out.

The evil ones are really evil. The slimy one stays slimy. The comedy sidekicks also. No one changed a bit except the female lead.

And there are loads of side stories. The underling brother, the treasure hunter, the hidden talents, the McGuvin , the tribute to the French Revolution, modern dance, Italian food, and even the pigeon gets to be hero for a day.

It's entertaining, but this is just pass your time tv drama, at its best.

Not worth watching

[billietg · 1/10 · 23 July 2021]

I kept watching until the ninth episode on the advice of the comments here that the series gets better as it progresses Then I got tired of it, it got worse and worse.

Short and to the point, I think it's an idiotic, childish series.

The humor is theatrically stupid.

The main character is unreal, the lawyer, with all her exaggerated movements and manners, is downright idiotic.

The rest of the characters apparently have intellectual disabilities.

So I give it the lowest possible score.

One Of THE Best series Ever!!!

[Chaokage · 10/10 · 8 August 2021]

Song Joong-ki's performance in this series is just incredible. Definitely matched or even outshined by Jeon Yeo-bin's performance. One of the most distinctive characters I have ever seen in my life. Shows how much work Jeon Yeo-bin put into the role. This series is so amazing thanks to the balanced give and take flow of the battle between the 2 fighting forces. Super funny and unexpected reveals about the characters makes this series unmatched. It's just surprisingly superb. Plus, you'll definitely love the vigilante side to it. It is so relevant to today's flood of corruption and crime around the world. This series will satisfy your hunger for everything you ever dream to see in a drama. A must watch!!!

Watch till Episode 4

[mehedihasanshohan · 10/10 · 7 March 2021]

OMG!!! The way episode 4 ended. If they can continue this pace, action and thrill, it'd be one of the best thriller K-Drama ever made...

Worth watching

[seruwaiamoce · 10/10 · 27 February 2021]

It's quite an interesting show with dark comedy. Definetly not stupid like someone commented. If you don't like it don't watch it or bother commenting.

Vincenzo is a must watch! Excellent!

[sarawon · 10/10 · 15 April 2021]

You'll be enrage to be a mafia too. It super excellent and very promising actors and actresses too.

Black humor, with a Kimchee bite

[rickyou-62181 · 9/10 · 19 March 2021]

If this show keeps up the pace after 8 episodes, it gets a 10.

What could be more "fish out of water" than a native Korean raised in Italy who is both an attorney and Consigliore to the Mafia? Yet from that seemingly absurd mix comes a basic plotline that makes complete hash out of any lawyer show you have ever seen, mixes serious violence, mayhem and murder with humerous come-uppances to the bad guys, and has an undercover cop deciding that our hero isn't Mafia at all--but a heroic version of Che Guevera? The first few episodes need a bit of time to shake out, but when they get going, it's wonderful. Favorite scene to date--the corrupt judge who is stung by hornets in his classroom. I'm no good at remembering their names, but the female lead overdoes it a bit, particularly in the beginning. Vincenzo is terrific right from the beginning. Co-stars and regulars are also wonderful. The actors are all having great fun, and it shows. I hope there is room left at the end for another season-or 10.

Impeccable Series--Nearly Ruined By Writer Park Jae Bum

[spasek · 8/10 · 24 November 2022]

I'm not sure how many times I have to repeat myself. I'm a writer of eight novels, and one of the most basic elements of writing is that you never sacrifice character for the sake of the plot. In other words, you don't make a character do something that goes against the character in order to make the plot work. And writer Park Jae Bum makes a very rookie mistake in Episode 19 that carries over into Episode 20.

For the most part, Vincenzo is an impeccable series that is nearly flawless until those terrible 20-25 minutes-the end of Episode 19 and into Episode 20. We are extremely fortunate that this doesn't ruin the series. As I said in the series "Mad For Each Other," if you ruin the ending of a series, you destroy the series itself.

Vincenzo is a character on par with Jason Bourne or dare I say it-Batman (the comic character, not the live-action depictions) in which he's like a grandmaster chess player. He's always two or three moves ahead of his enemies. He's also a master of assessing a situation and making the smart choice, not to mention his nearly infallible ability to predict what will happen next based on his enemies' last move.

Choi Myung Hee has just arranged for herself to take the fall for Jang Han Seok. Despite the fact that we know why she's doing it, it should be equally obvious to a character like Vincenzo. And yet, neither he nor Hong Cha Young can see the obvious: that it's to get Jang Han Seok out of prison. That was rookie mistake #1 by Park Jae Bum

Jang Han Seok has abducted Hong Cha Young and Vincenzo is purposely brought to Jang Han Seok's house in order to kill him. During the ensuing struggle as Jang Han Seok's brother-Jang Han Seo-jumps him. Rather than helping Jang Han Seo subdue Jang Han Seok-who has a gun-Vincenzo rushes to free Hong Cha Young instead. Vincenzo would never do that. He would realize that the best way to keep Hong Cha Young's safety-as well as Jang Han Seo-is to help Jang Han Seo take out Jang Han Seok. Now, if in the ensuing struggle, Jang Han Seok manages to escape, that's all right. But I sighed with disgust when Vincenzo rushes over to Hong Cha Young instead. He would know that the best way to protect her would be to disable and take out Jang Han Seok. That was awful. And again, it's something Vincenzo would never do. It goes against the intelligence and nature of the character himself.

Things briefly go from bad to worse as Vincenzo, who is now tending to the wounded Hong Cha Young, is literally watching the two brothers struggle with the gun-and only a few feet away-he still doesn't rush to help Jang Han Seo. He sits and watches. Again, I was rolling my eyes with disgust at how ridiculous the entire scenario played out. It was obvious that they wanted Jang Han Seok to escape to set up the showdown for the rest of Episode 20.

As I said, the series was running smoothly, for the most part. Aside from some inconsistencies from the residents of the plaza and their fighting abilities as they go from an inability to fight to suddenly being experts, even though the so-called boxing winner can't even throw a punch mirroring an actual boxer (a true boxer would know how!) the series runs like a fine oiled machine.

One more small issue--which most movies and shows take extreme liberties--is moving the gold bars. We see the bars being put into a piano, taken around in pockets and bags, sometimes 3-4 bars at a time. Gold bars weigh over 27 pounds each! (12.4 kilograms). While it made for some funny moments, it was highly unrealistic.

It's difficult to pen down the actual genre of this series, which often plays out like a black comedy and then transitions into a drama-thriller and then back again. I've marveled at the Koreans' ability to fluctuate and do it seamlessly. It speaks to the genius of their writers, despite Park Jae Bum's lapse in judgment and writing ability.

Vincenzo is a Korean-Italian consigliere-essentially one of the highest ranks in the mafia aside from the head man himself. He makes no apologies for his methods of dealing with those who would prey upon the weak and the helpless, and he brings his own sense of "justice" to bear against anyone-from lowly thugs to those sitting in power, bathed in corruption. Little do these people in power know who or what they are up against, nor do they realize what Vincenzo is capable of until it's too late. It's like watching very good chess players who think they can hold their own-finally meeting their match against a grandmaster. Vincenzo easily exposes their inabilities, and they find out soon enough that Vincenzo isn't someone who makes idle threats. He means to do exactly what he says he'll do. Jang Han Seok and his nasty den of lieutenants look at Vincenzo and laugh as though he's just some character in a movie. But he outplays them and outdoes them at every turn.

"24"'s Jack Bauer-a special field agent for the Counter-terrorist unit once tells a panel of senators, "It's sad that we live in a world where someone like me is necessary to do what needs to be done." Vincenzo is of the same ilk. The higher-ups in corporations and political machinations believe they are all but untouchable and that they can do whatever they want. Someone like Vincenzo is able to prove to them just how wrong they are. But it also takes someone like Vincenzo to deal with them in complete and unforgiving ways.

I have always marveled at characters who are smart. I love Jason Bourne because of his ability to outthink his opponents. Batman is the same. And Vincenzo has those same qualities. Oh, he can fight and hold his own, but it's his wits that make him formidable and such an iconic character. Song Joong Ki masterfully plays Vincenzo-who at times-seems light and almost playful, and other times as an absolutely scary opponent you would never dare cross if you understood him and what he's capable of doing. He doesn't play Vincenzo as a simple thug. And despite his background, Vincenzo becomes attached to the people of the plaza and will do whatever it takes to protect them. He calls himself a "villain" and yes, he often comes across that way, but he's essentially a good man who simply finds himself using terrible methods to get the job done. Much like Jack Bauer, as I stated above.

The entire cast was nothing short of fantastic, and if it had not been for the major letdown of those 20-25 minutes, this series would have easily been a "10" for me. But, alas, those minutes put a big dent into a story that was running along so smoothly and so effortlessly. It's just too bad that the ball was dropped temporarily. Still, it doesn't torpedo the series, and it's definitely worth a look. It's not as great or as tautly written as "My Name" or "Stranger" but it's most certainly good enough.

A shinny and precious pear with endless potential.... had been wasted

[unknownrpg · 6/10 · 23 April 2021]

From the very first episodes, it's easy to find the story, plot work, pacing,... was all done perfectly. From how Vincenzo is introduced (I hate how unrealistic the fire spread though) to the schemes, how strong Babel is build as an unpenetratable image.. All could've been something more than this. Yet it might've been this brilliant style which killed the show.

First of all: Everything was done perfectly right-on-time like a 2nd grade fomula. Yes good pacing can sometime do great, like how it hyped people's feelin when Joon Woo show off his identity (uwu gud stuff). But what's unforgivetable is how it breaks the beautiful setting that this show provided. We all know lucky moments and coincidences are sometime acceptable as it's reasonable to happen and will only make the scenes more awesome. But bruh not in this case, bc they freakin spammed it! The amount of oopsie moments that were created only for the shake of helping the protagonist and his companions are immesurable. Remember how Vincenzo and plaza owner closed the shelter's door right on time in ep ? Or when he arrive just b4 main girl of the show have her face punched? These little but ugly details totally ruined my experience as it's bland out unrealistic.

Secondly: Weak character building followed up by weak script. Seriously, Paolo the gangster boss is nothing but a bullied child who dare do nothing, even can't take revenge on Vincenzo's driver when his master is abroad. And I was totally dissapointed seeing how Vincenzo easily kidnapped, tortured, got information from frankly any bad guys. It's like his aura of a normal build little baby face man and some weak measures of suffering could scare the f*ck out of everyone. Not to say no guard or security plan is effective against a korean mafia boy who works alone to invade Babel's domain and employees. Also, the poducers liked to spam backup saveboats that litterally turns the tide of the show. Oh Vincenzo is in trouble? Don't worry, he's rich and knows martial art at a superior rate! Oh plaza civilians are in danger? Don't care cause all of them know how to fight, and some are even masters of brawls. And you won't need me to speak out loud how trashy nerfed Ant Company was, right? (Although I hate it when the members of goverment and important people keep showing up to help willingly for no particular reason more) Hmm, at this rate I think further criticism is unnecessary as you may've all now capable of looking at that overrated mess called Binsenjo Cassanova with a more precise perspective. For me myself, well the only reason I watched it to the end is 'cause of Joon Woo's actin, plot and role (as it's acted brilliantly with some manners of being the most realisticccc and No.1 part of the whole show uwu) Brrrr idk but if your taste is of not very high standard, this TV-series can still entertain you well...... to a certain level that is.

Fabulous little in jokes, and great acting!

[Jodie_ds · 9/10 · 28 February 2021]

I've actually been clapping my hands with glee at the little in jokes (diehard food and coffee snob from Italy, trying and enjoying Korean instant coffee) and character development choices (no references here as I don't want to give any games away). Edit: I loved, loved, loved the reverse trope in the clothing shop!!!

Still not sure if I'm enjoying the idea that you can only beat bad guys with an even bigger bad guy (as that seems antithetical to a number of the main character ideals) but overall the writing and plot twists are done well. Further edit after series completed: Definitely gets much darker, but makes you think and laugh and gasp along the way, so highly recommended!

Inconsistent, but enjoyable

[smoratti · 7/10 · 21 July 2021]

It veered from cornball humour to some serious violence. It never made any pretence to being realistic so turn your brain off and enjoy the ride. Silly but quite bingeable.

Disappointing :(

[flashinglight · 5/10 · 27 April 2021]

I've watched Vincenzo until ep.18 (out of 20), so I guess it's already acceptable for me to write a review. My feeling about this series : unfortunately, really really disappointed.

The reason why I watched this series is because I was intrigued by the genre : a mixture between politic, thriller, action, and comedy. The first few episodes are quite fun. But that fun only last for approximately the first 10 episodes. Even in the first 10 episodes, I already found several issues that bothered me. For example, why is Cha-Young fighting against her dad in the first place? There's no backstory whatsoever about why she chose to work in Woosang despite how corrupted Woosang is (only for the money? I dunno). Then, there's Myung-Hee. What is her motive? What is the reason for her total support for Han-Seok despite their constant losing? Is she just downright 'evil'? And for Han Seok, I just can't believe the writer just explained his character as a psychopath. Don't tell me that this is not a lazy way to create an antagonist character.

What annoyed me the most is actually what she and Han Seok keep on doing every single episode : an empty threat "You'll regret it", "What if I kill you first?" blah blah. Their method of winning is apparently : A doesn't want to cooperate? Kill A. B knows something he/she shouldn't? Kill B. C is acting annoying? Kill C.

But of course Vincenzo will always outsmart them and win. If this only happens for like 2/3 episodes, I won't be so annoyed. But this pattern of handsome-and-perfect main lead that keeps winning against the 'bad guys', no matter how cliché it is (yes, Inzaghi, I see you), for every single episode, is just.. underwhelming.

Han Seo is at least a more interesting character than Myung Hee or Han Seok. He shows change : once a shadow for his brother and was always afraid of him, but now finally has courage to fight against him and even becoming wittier.

I mean, this series can be great, with a proper storyline. Probably a less perfect Vincenzo that can make mistakes sometimes. Probably a smarter and cunning antagonist that's actually 'do' something instead of just talking big and failed miserably..

Don't get me wrong, I love the actors and actress. They saved the show. They saved the poor and lazy story writing. That's why I give the rating of 5 : despite the meh story writing, the CGI of Italy (and Inzaghi apparently) is beautiful and realistic, some of the comedic scene is quite funny, the cinematography is amazing, and the music they choose do compliments the atmosphere.

But, in the end, nothing can really save a poor story.

Excellent

[amaur-34456 · 10/10 · 8 August 2021]

This is an exceptional series. I enjoyed everything about it... acting, storyline, cinematography. I particularly enjoyed the campy, and occasionally corny portions that were uniquely delightful and entertaining. It had an added sense of pathos, tenderness, and positive versus negative.

The best Korean drama I've watched

[kwheaton-30051 · 10/10 · 5 July 2022]

This show has the best of everything. It has action, comedy, just the right amount of romance, and incredible characters. You even find yourself loving the villain because the actor is that good. Jang Han-Soek and Vincenzo are great because they are both villains. There is no real good guy or bad guy. I'll be looking for other shows these actors are in because I was really blown away. 10/10. Do yourself a favor and watch this show.

quality series all around

[backnblack-06123 · 9/10 · 24 February 2021]

This so far with just two episodes is the best start to a series i think I've seen, great actors and writing which is where series are made.Great chemistry between the characters and no flaws in the story so far it appears set up for 20 episodes which is a tough test for KD to do without foolish plots but so far this is fantastic. Kim Yeo-Jin is building a hell of a resume for herself with many great series it does take about 15 min of background in Italy then it moves along quite well