| Image Alt: | vincenzo_official_promotional_poster | ||
| Native Name: |
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| Creator: | Studio Dragon | ||
| Screenplay: | Park Jae-beom | ||
| Director: | Kim Hee-won | ||
| Composer: | Park Se-joon | ||
| Country: | South Korea | ||
| Num Episodes: | 20 | ||
| Executive Producer: | Cho Moon-joo | ||
| Camera: | Single-camera | ||
| Company: | Logos Film | ||
| Budget: | [1] | ||
| Network: | tvN |
Vincenzo is a 2021 South Korean television series starring Song Joong-ki as the title character alongside Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon, Kim Yeo-jin, and Kwak Dong-yeon. It aired on tvN from February 20, 2021, to May 2, 2021, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (KST); each episode was released on Netflix in South Korea and internationally after its television broadcast.[2] [3]
The first episode reached a 7.7% rating (AGB nationwide), making it the fourth highest-rated tvN drama premiere. The finale received 14.6% rating, making it the eleventh highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history at the time. It also made the series the sixth highest-rated drama in tvN's history.[4]
The series was also popular among international viewers through Netflix, maintaining its position in the top 10 TV shows on Netflix in the world since its start and reached the fourth rank on April 26.[5] It ranked fourth on Forbes list of most-viewed Korean series on Netflix in 2021.[6]
At the age of eight, Park Joo-hyung (Song Joong-ki) is adopted by an Italian family, but the family later dies tragically in an accident. Joo-hyung joins the mafia and is adopted by Don Fabio, head of the Cassano Family who treats him like a son. Renamed "Vincenzo Cassano" he becomes a lawyer, a consigliere for the mafia, and Don Fabio's right-hand man. After Fabio dies, Paolo, Fabio's biological son and the new leader of the Cassano Family attempts to kill his adoptive brother out of jealousy because Fabio favoured him over his own biological son.
Vincenzo flees to Seoul and sets out to recover gold bullion worth ₩150 billion ($110 million), that he helped his business partner (a recently-dead Chinese tycoon) secretly stash within a hidden basement under Geumga Plaza, a commercial building in South Korea. During an inspection of the building, he discovers that he needs to demolish the place to retrieve the buried gold. However, a subsidiary of a large pharmaceutical corporation Babel Group has illegally taken ownership of the building with the intention of demolishing it to build a business building. Unwilling to let the gold to fall into the hands of Babel Group, Vincenzo must use his skills to reclaim the building and recover his fortune.
Among the quirky tenants at Geumga Plaza is the Jipuragi Law Firm run by Hong Yoo-chan (Yoo Jae-myung) in which Vincenzo finds he has aligned interests. At first he comes into conflict with Hong Yoo-chan's daughter, Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-been), an attorney for a rival firm, Wusang, that defends Babel Group. Under the order of the top legal advisor of Babel, Hong Yoo-chan is murdered in the middle of the street. Enraged, Cha-young angrily resigns from her firm and takes over Jipuragi and teams up with Vincenzo to take down Babel. It is revealed that Hong Yoo-chan is killed because he managed to discover that Babel Group is a shell company for a drug cartel and left some clues for his daughter and Vincenzo to find.
When Vincenzo later finds himself getting entangled in a bigger issue with Babel internally, he realizes that conventional legal method cannot do anything against a powerful corporation like Babel, and uses skills he learned in the mafia to fight the corporation, including kidnapping and torturing Babel employees for intel, as well as recruiting the tenants from Geumga Plaza to help him. He also starts persuading mistreated employees of Babel to be their allies to destroy the Corporation from within. Eventually, Vincenzo manages to find a way into the gold vault underneath the building without having to demolish it. Aside from the gold, he stumbles upon a USB left behind by his deceased business partner called the Guillotine file containing incriminating pieces of evidence against Korean politicians, civil servants, and the Babel Group. As both the corrupted politicians and Babel Group finds out about the Guillotine file, they seek to obtain it and destroy it while Vincenzo dodges their attacks by being several steps ahead of them.
An Italian lawyer and Mafia consigliere of Korean descent. He is the adopted son of the late boss of the Cassano Family and Geumga Plaza's true owner. He becomes an Advisor/Foreign Legal Counsel to Jipuragi Law Firm, working with Hong Cha-young to destroy the Babel Group and reclaim the gold hidden in Geumga Plaza.
A lawyer, who is an associate for the Wusang Law Firm and the daughter of Hong Yoo-chan. Energetic, she tends to overreact. She later replaces her father as CEO of Jipuragi Law Firm. She joins Vincenzo in his revenge against Babel Group.
An intern in Wusang Law Firm working under Hong Cha-young as her paralegal/assistant, and the real Chairman of Babel Group. He puts on a front as a happy-go-lucky, dumb, and naive man. However, he is revealed as the true power behind the Babel Group. He is the main antagonist of the series.
A former prosecutor who quits the prosecutor's office to join Wusang Law Firm as its new Senior Partner, and in the process becomes the corporate fixer and attorney of Babel Group. She appears good-natured and enjoys Zumba dancing but is, in reality, extremely corrupt and is Jang Jun-woo's accomplice in his schemes. She is responsible for ordering the death of Cha-young's father.
The half-brother of Jang Jun-woo and the previous chairman's illegitimate son who publicly acts as the owner of Babel Group in his brother's place. He appears rude, cocky and pretentious, but he is more morally equipped than his brother.
The CEO of Wusang Law Firm. He recruits Choi Myung-hee into Wusang. He eventually becomes the Chief of the Seoul Southeast District Prosecutors' Office.
A paralegal working at Jipuragi Law Firm under lawyer Hong Yoo-chan and later Hong Cha-young. He is a former special effect make-up artist. After the death of Hong Yoo-chan, he joins Vincenzo and Hong Cha-young in destroying Babel Group.
Manager of Geumga Plaza. His name is used in Geumga Plaza's deed. Vincenzo once saved his life back in Milan, and is thus indebted to Vincenzo. It is later revealed that he is an undercover agent of the International Security Intelligence Service, but he remains as an ally to Vincenzo.
Owner of the laundromat. He purposely ruins Vincenzo's limited edition bespoke suit because he thought that Vincenzo wants to evict him and the other tenants. He was a former gang member and uses scissors as his weapon.
Owner of the Italian restaurant in Geumga Plaza and former wrestler. He pretends to have studied in Italy to be a chef and feels threatened by Vincenzo who easily learns his secret.
Owner of a snack bar in Geumga Plaza. She regularly beats her teenage son who secretly smokes. She was a former boxer.
Owner of a dance studio in Geumga Plaza. He is a clean-freak and hates it when people makes his studio dirty. He is a former street fighter.
Owner of the piano school in Geumga Plaza. She has a crush on Vincenzo. It is later revealed that she was a hacker and designed the security of the gold vault. She narrowly escaped assassination and moved to Geumga Plaza to keep an eye on the gold.
A self-proclaimed expert martial artist and owner of a pawnshop in Geumga Plaza. He often talks big about beating up opponents but he chickens out.
Lee Chul-wook's wife and former gold medal weight lifter. She berates her husband when he shows false bravado.
Kwak Hee-soo's son. He often smokes with his friends against his mother's wishes.
The abbot of Nanyak Pagoda in Geumga Plaza. He felt a strong presence of Buddha under the place he usually sits because of a golden statue of Buddha stashed under there. Sometimes he gives Vincenzo advice on how to deal with his problems and insecurities.
A monk assisting Jeokha. He is close to the other tenants and act as an advisor.
CEO of Ant Financial Management. He is a gangster who worked for Babel Group. He was in charge of Geumga Plaza's demolition, but moves into the plaza after nearly being killed by Babel and starts a business called ByeBye Balloon. He eventually helps Jipuragi in their fight against Babel.
Employee of Ant Financial Management. He is a gangster and Park Seok-do's second-in-command. He joins his boss in helping Jipuragi fight Babel Group.
The accountant of Ant Financial Management and later ByeBye Balloon. She has a crush on Vincenzo. She helps Jipuragi fight Babel Group.
Team leader of the Italian Organized Crime Division of the International Security Intelligence Service. He goes undercover to spy on Vincenzo by becoming a protégé under Chef Toto.
Director of the International Organized Crime Bureau, under the International Security Intelligence Service. He initially disapproves of Ahn Gi-seok's plan to launch an operation to spy on Vincenzo, but eventually helps Gi-seok and Jipuragi.
Chief of the Seoul Southeast District Prosecutors' Office. Choi Myung-hee's former boss. He is on Babel Group's payroll after being blackmailed.
Deputy Chief of Seoul Southeast District Prosecutors' Office. He is murdered by Jang Han-seok.
A prosecutor from Seoul Southeast District Prosecutors' Office. He works with Cho Young-woon to obtain the Guillotine File and helps Vincenzo fight Babel.
Vincenzo Cassano's adoptive brother and new leader of the Cassano Family. He tries to have Vincenzo killed out of resentment, but fails, causing Vincenzo to flee to South Korea. He later helps both Choi Myung-hee and Han Seung-hyuk in killing and framing Vincenzo, but fails.
Vincenzo Cassano's personal driver and assistant. He works for the Cassano Family and is more loyal to Vincenzo than Paolo. He updates Vincenzo about the current affairs in Italy.
Former maid accused of murdering the late CEO of Shinkwang Bank and Hong Yoo-chan's client. It is later revealed that she is Vincenzo Cassano's birth mother.
The director of the hospital owned by Babel Group. He is later killed by a killer sent by Jang Han-seok.
One of the test subjects for the drug RDU-90. He is the whistleblower for Babel Pharmaceuticals.
Choi Myung-hee's former enforcer and later Vincenzo's enforcer. He arranged Hong Yoo-chan's murder. He used to work for the Korean Military's Intelligence Division. He is later killed by Vincenzo after exceeding his usefulness.
Choi Myung-hee's former enforcer and currently Vincenzo's enforcer. He works under Hwang Gyu. He also used to work for the Korean Military's Intelligence Division.
Acting as a limousine taxi driver.
A lawyer who was the CEO of the Jipuragi Law Firm and Chairman of the Development Opposition Committee for Geumga Plaza. He is the father of Hong Cha-young. He believes that justice is above all else and would never compromise his principles, and he was a mentor-like figure to Vincenzo. He is later killed under Choi Myung-hee's orders, inspiring his daughter Hong Cha-young to take revenge against Babel.
A corrupt attorney on Wusang Law Firm's payroll.
A homeless man staying outside Geumga Plaza; everyone thinks his name is Gilbert, but he corrects them. He tells Vincenzo Gilbeot means "a friend on the road." (Ep. 6–7, 12)
The wife of Gil Jong-moon, also the head of Sungwon University Hospital's Pediatric Cancer Center.
The CEO of Shinkwang Bank.
The mother of Hwang Min-sung and Chairwoman of Shinkwang Finances.
The chairman of the Babel Guardian Committee Union.
The director of Ragusang Gallery.
The CEO of Daechang Daily.
A presidential candidate.
The secretary of Park Seung-joon, and a senior of Han Seung-hyuk.
In May 2020, director Kim Hee-won and screenwriter Park Jae-bum teamed up for Vincenzo.[16] In July 2020, it was reported that Song Joong-ki and Jeon Yeo-been are considering the offer to star in the series;[17] while Ok Taec-yeon was confirmed for the cast.[18] Song and Jeon confirmed their appearance in the following month.[19]
The first script reading took place on January 5, 2021.[20]
The drama serves as a reunion project for Kwak Dong-yeon and Kim Yeo-jin who both starred in the 2018 drama My Strange Hero. This drama also reunites Ok Taec-yeon and Jeon Yeo-been who worked together in Save Me (2017).
The series was planned to be partially shot in Italy but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, related scenes were augmented with CGI.[21]
Episodes 17 and 18 were delayed one week due to the production team wanting to "improve quality" of the episodes.[22]
| Vincenzo OST | |
| Type: | Soundtrack |
| Artist: | Various artists |
| Released: | May 2, 2021 |
| Genre: | Soundtrack |
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
A 7.7% average viewership rating was recorded nationwide for the series' first episode, at the time making it the third-highest premiere rating of any weekend drama of the network and fourth-highest premiere rating overall, bested by Mr. Sunshine,[23] Encounter[24] and Mr. Queen.[25]
The drama is currently the tenth highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history.
| + Average TV viewership ratings | ||||||
| Original broadcast date | Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)[26] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Seoul | |||||
| 1 | February 20, 2021 | |||||
| 2 | February 21, 2021 | 9.295% | 10.207% | |||
| 3 | February 27, 2021 | 8.121% | 9.340% | |||
| 4 | February 28, 2021 | 10.215% | 11.201% | |||
| 5 | March 6, 2021 | 9.674% | 10.683% | |||
| 6 | March 7, 2021 | 11.082% | 12.165% | |||
| 7 | March 13, 2021 | 9.241% | 9.992% | |||
| 8 | March 14, 2021 | 10.380% | 11.292% | |||
| 9 | March 20, 2021 | 9.057% | 9.729% | |||
| 10 | March 21, 2021 | 11.375% | 12.745% | |||
| 11 | March 27, 2021 | 9.311% | 10.705% | |||
| 12 | March 28, 2021 | 10.736% | 12.405% | |||
| 13 | April 3, 2021 | 10.815% | 11.555% | |||
| 14 | April 4, 2021 | 11.258% | 12.487% | |||
| 15 | April 10, 2021 | 10.296% | 11.150% | |||
| 16 | April 11, 2021 | 10.572% | 11.600% | |||
| 17 | April 24, 2021 | 10.961% | 12.278% | |||
| 18 | April 25, 2021 | 12.276% | 13.912% | |||
| 19 | May 1, 2021 | 11.854% | 12.659% | |||
| 20 | May 2, 2021 | |||||
| Average | ||||||
| Special | April 17, 2021 | 4.445% | 5.098% | |||
| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 57th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Director (TV) | Kim Hee-won | [27] | |
| Best Actor (TV) | Song Joong-ki | ||||
| Brand of the Year Awards | Drama of the Year | Vincenzo | [28] | ||
| Actor of the Year | Song Joong-ki | ||||
| Actress of the Year | Jeon Yeo-been | ||||
| 3rd Asia Contents Awards | Best Creative | Vincenzo | [29] | ||
| Best Asian TV Series | |||||
| Best Actor | Song Joong-ki | ||||
| Best Writer | Park Jae-beom | ||||
| Top Excellence Korean Drama | Vincenzo | [30] [31] | |||
| Top Excellence Korean Actress | Jeon Yeo-been | [32] | |||
| Top Excellence Korean Actor | Song Joong-ki | [33] | |||
| Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards | Presidential Commendation | Park Jae-beom | [34] | ||
| 14th Tokyo Drama Awards | Special Award for Foreign Drama | Vincenzo | [35] | ||
| 6th Asia Artist Awards | Best Artist Award | Jeon Yeo-been | [36] | ||
| Korea Content Awards | Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation | Kim Hee-won | [37] | ||
| Best Drama Series | Vincenzo | [38] | |||
| 2022 | 8th APAN Star Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Song Joong-ki | [39] | |
| Best Director | Kim Hee-won | ||||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Song Joong-ki | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor | Yoon Byung-hee | ||||
| Best Couple | Song Joong-ki & Jeon Yeo-been |
| Year | Listicle | Placement | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NME | 2021 | The 10 best Korean dramas of 2021 | 4th | [40] |