Vincenzo (빈센조) is one of those dramas that shouldn't work as well as it does — a violent crime story that's also laugh-out-loud funny, anchored by a hero who's technically a villain and yet impossible not to cheer for. Stylish, ruthless and endlessly entertaining, it became a global favourite. Here's my honest, friend's review.
No major spoilers beyond the setup.
What It's About
Vincenzo Cassano was born in Korea, adopted by an Italian family as a child, and grew up to become a consigliere — a Mafia lawyer and fixer. When his organisation turns on him, he returns to Seoul with one goal: recover a fortune in gold secretly hidden beneath an old commercial building, Geumga Plaza.
There's a catch — the plaza is full of stubborn tenants, and the company sitting on top of his gold is a monstrous, corrupt conglomerate protected by a sociopathic heir. To win, Vincenzo can't play by the rules of a normal hero. He brings Italian Mafia methods to a Korean fight, teaming up with a sharp lawyer, Hong Cha-young, and the ragtag residents of the plaza. It's a revenge story where the bad guys finally meet someone worse — on their side.
Why You Should Watch
A perfect anti-hero
Song Joong-ki is magnetic as a suave, morally grey operator who does terrible things to even worse people. Rooting for a "villain" has rarely been this satisfying.
It's funnier than you expect
For all the crime and violence, Vincenzo is genuinely hilarious. The tonal balance — slick mob thriller one minute, broad comedy the next — is its secret weapon.
A great ensemble
The tenants of Geumga Plaza and the firecracker lawyer Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-been) give the show real heart and chaos. The villains are memorably hateable, too.
Pure binge fuel
Across 20 episodes it never stops being entertaining — twists, schemes and payoffs that make "just one more episode" dangerous.
Where to Watch
Netflix carries all 20 episodes worldwide with English (and many other) subtitles.
Original Korean broadcaster: tvN. Availability can vary by region, so check what's licensed where you are.
Watch It If You Liked…
- Best Comedy K-Dramas — more shows that balance laughs with everything else.
- Best Thriller K-Dramas — for the darker, tenser side.
- 7-Day Korea Itinerary for K-Drama Fans — plan a trip around your favourites.
Frequently Asked Questions
He's a true anti-hero — a Mafia operator who uses criminal methods, but aims them at people far worse than himself. Part of the fun is how the show makes you root for him anyway.
Netflix carries all 20 episodes worldwide with subtitles. It originally aired on tvN in Korea.
It has crime, violence and some genuinely dark villains, but it's offset by a lot of comedy and style. It's more "stylish revenge romp" than bleak — though it doesn't pull all its punches.
Song Joong-ki as Vincenzo, Jeon Yeo-been as lawyer Hong Cha-young, and Ok Taec-yeon as the villainous heir Jang Jun-woo.
Vincenzo is the drama I hand to anyone who wants something fun, stylish and a little bit wicked. It's a revenge fantasy with impeccable tailoring and a wicked sense of humour — and once you start, those 20 episodes vanish fast. Pure entertainment.