“Your best source of protection isn’t a gun or a sword. It’s your brain. Don’t forget that.” —Vincenzo
With its dark humor, sharp suits, and a protagonist who is equal parts heartthrob and anti-hero, ‘Vincenzo’ definitely isn’t your typical K-drama. The 2021 South Korean series took global audiences by storm by blending mafia politics, legal warfare, and deep emotional moments into a razor-sharp satire, leaving viewers applauding and cheering for a consigliere who not only speaks fluent Italian but also has his own unique fluency when it comes to justice.
At the center is Vincenzo Cassano (played by Song Joong-ki), a Korean-born Italian mafia lawyer who comes to Seoul to recover hidden gold, only to find himself entangled with a much greater evil. What follows is a story where the villains are more twisted, the heroes aren’t afraid to be ruthless, and every episode leaves viewers reeling, laughing, and riding a wave of triumphant thrills.
Series: Vincenzo
Where to watch: Netflix
Cast: Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon, Kim Yeo-jin, and Kwak Dong-yeon
Written by: Park Jae-beom
Directed by: Kim Hee-won
The Plot
Park Joo-young was adopted by an Italian family when he was eight years old. After losing his adoptive family in a tragic accident, he was taken in by Don Fabio, the head of the Cassano Mafia family, who renamed him Vincenzo Cassano (played by Song Joong-ki) and raised him as his own.
Vincenzo grew up to become a ruthless mafia lawyer and consigliere. But after Don Fabio’s death, when Fabio’s biological son tried to kill Vincenzo out of jealousy, he was forced to flee to Seoul.
In Korea, Vincenzo sets out to recover ₩150 billion worth of hidden gold buried beneath Geumga Plaza, now illegally owned by Babel Group, a powerful and corrupt conglomerate. To gain access to the gold, Vincenzo partners with Hong Cha-young (played by Jeon Yeo-been), whose father, an honest, justice-seeking attorney, was later murdered for uncovering Babel Group’s criminal activities.
Now caught in a web of deep-rooted corruption, and realizing that the legal system alone cannot defeat such a monstrous organization, Vincenzo turns to his mafia instincts. From manipulation and intimidation to strategic planning and even killing, he uses every tactic at his disposal.
With help from the quirky tenants of Geumga Plaza, Vincenzo discovers the Guillotine File, a USB drive containing explosive evidence against corrupt officials and Babel itself.
Now a target of both Babel Group and powerful politicians, Vincenzo uses every trick up his sleeve to expose the corrupt, deliver justice, and reclaim his gold.
The Characters
Vincenzo Cassano (played by Song Joong-ki)
A Korean-born Italian mafia lawyer and consigliere, Vincenzo is the adopted son of the late Cassano mafia boss. He is also the rightful owner of Geumga Plaza. After arriving in Korea, he becomes a partner at Hong Cha-young’s Jipuragi Law Firm, serving as an advisor and foreign legal counsel. His ultimate goal is to destroy the Babel Group and reclaim the hidden gold beneath Geumga Plaza.
Hong Cha-young (played by Jeon Yeo-been)
A quirky and energetic lawyer who initially works as an associate at the Wusang Law Firm. After her father is murdered, she takes over his law firm and teams up with Vincenzo to bring down Babel Group.
Jang Jun-woo / Jang Han-seok (played by Ok Taec-yeon)
Jun-woo appears to be a cheerful and naive intern at Wusang Law Firm and Hong Cha-young’s assistant, but in reality, he is Jang Han-seok, the ruthless and corrupt CEO of Babel Group. He maintains a goofy facade while secretly orchestrating crimes and corporate corruption. His true identity is exposed by Vincenzo.
Choi Myung-hee (played by Kim Yeo-jin)
A former prosecutor who joins Wusang Law Firm and becomes Babel Group’s legal representative. Though she seems friendly and enjoys Zumba dancing, she is actually manipulative, merciless, and responsible for the murder of Cha-young’s father.
Jang Han-seo (played by Kwak Dong-yeon)
The half-brother of Jang Jun-woo and the illegitimate son of Babel Group’s former chairman, Han-seo, publicly acts as the company’s president. While he initially appears rude, arrogant, and pretentious, he is later revealed to be kind-hearted, compassionate, and driven by a sense of justice.
What made the show popular?
- A blend of genres: ‘Vincenzo’ creates a visual masterpiece by blending elements of action, mafia drama, and legal courtroom proceedings with a sharp mix of satire and dark comedy.
- Captivating storyline: The gripping story of a Korean-Italian mafia consigliere returning to his homeland to take down a powerful and corrupt organization using mafia strategies and the help of quirky tenants is both refreshing and highly engaging.
- Compelling characters: The protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters are all well-developed, layered, and relatable, adding emotional depth and humor throughout the series.
- Powerful performances: Song Joong-ki’s portrayal of Vincenzo Cassano as a cold, calculating, yet charismatic mafia consigliere is one of the highlights of the series. The supporting cast also earned acclaim for bringing their eccentric and memorable characters to life.
- Visually striking: The series stands out for its cinematic aesthetics, impressive action sequences, and visually striking moments that elevate the overall storytelling.
- Twists and cliffhangers: Nearly every episode ends with a twist or cliffhanger, keeping viewers eager and anxious to find out what happens next.
- Familiar themes: While the show features mafia and legal drama, it also explores universal themes such as corruption and greed at the corporate level, justice, revenge, and the importance of friendship and community, making it resonate strongly with viewers.
- Global success: With its global release on Netflix, ‘Vincenzo’ captivated international audiences and quickly rose to widespread popularity.
At its very best, ‘Vincenzo’ is a gripping tale and a thrilling blend of legal warfare, satire, and challenges that blur the line between justice and vengeance. With mafia tactics, flaming pigeons, noodle-fueled court battles, and a tenants’ union no one saw coming, Vincenzo delivers chaos with charm.
With its savage and unforgettable characters, compelling storyline, and stylish execution, ‘Vincenzo’ leaves a lasting impression on viewers worldwide and teaches us that revenge is best served seasoned with kimchi and crisp fashion.
Whether you came for the action, stayed for the comedy, fell for the protagonist in tailored suits, or the antagonist with witty charm, ‘Vincenzo’ proves that justice isn’t always delivered in courtrooms, but in shadows where rules don’t always apply.
Written by – MANSHA CHAUHAN
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