Vincenzo: When Revenge Has Great Style

This kdrama covers the story of a Korean-Italian mafia consigliere (lawyer) named Vincenzo Cassano who returns to South Korea and gets involved in the fight against a corrupt conglomerate. Song Joong-ki masterfully plays the eponymous Vincenzo, while Jeon Yeo-been is the feisty Hong Cha-young, and Ok Taec-yeon leaves behind his idol career to play the psychotic Jang Han-seok.

I loved this show. It was witty and engaging, where I found myself laughing one minute and gasping the next. Despite being four episodes longer than the traditional kdrama formula, every second was used wisely; I never felt bored. It seamlessly blended dark humor with legal thriller elements. I fell in love with the unique characters and intense action, all due to the incredible writing and strong performances by the ensemble cast. The slow burn romance between Vincenzo and Cha-young was completely worth the wait, as they matched each other's energies and motivations.

The plot was consistently amazing, navigating the world of crime and justice in South Korea with complexity and drama. The powerful storytelling had me feeling emotionally connected to the characters. I was furious at the actions of antagonists Jang Han-seok, Choi Myung-hee (Kim Yeo-jin), and Han Seung-hyuk (Jo Han-chul). I adored the Geumga Plaza residents who wanted to protect their home. I don't think I've ever cackled as much at the antics of kdrama characters. Also, Ok Taec-yeon really succeeded in creating a creepily unhinged villain.

I highly recommend this drama to anyone who loves fight-the-system shows. It has some great components like a lovable antihero, a found family of underdogs, excellent chemistry, and a satisfying ending. Don't be scared by the language barrier, it's worth it to watch. Doesn't hurt that there's multiple mafia-styled power walks.