Vincenzo

Official promotional poster

***Vincenzo*** (Korean: 빈센조; RR: *Binsenjo*) 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.

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.

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. It ranked fourth on Forbes list of most-viewed Korean series on Netflix in 2021.

## Synopsis

At the age of eight, Park Joo-hyung (Song Joong-ki) was adopted by an Italian family. He later joins the mafia and is adopted by Don Fabio, head of the Cassano Family. 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 Vincenzo.

He flees to Seoul and sets out to recover 1.5 tons of gold that he helped a recently-dead Chinese tycoon secretly stash within the basement of Geumga Plaza. However, a subsidiary of Babel Group has illegally taken ownership of the building, and Vincenzo must use his skills to reclaim the building and recover his fortunes.

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, but after her father's death she takes over the practice and joins forces with Vincenzo and the other tenants to fight Babel Group.

## Cast

### Main

* Song Joong-ki as Vincenzo Cassano / Park Joo-hyung

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.
* Jeon Yeo-been as Hong Cha-young

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 vendetta against Babel Group.
* Ok Taec-yeon as Jang Jun-woo / Jang Han-seok
	+ Moon Seong-hyun as young Jang Han-seok

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.
* Kim Yeo-jin as Choi Myung-hee

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.
* Kwak Dong-yeon as Jang Han-seo

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.
### Supporting

#### Wusang Law Firm

* Jo Han-chul as Han Seung-hyuk

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.
#### Geumga Plaza

* Yoon Byung-hee as Nam Joo-sung

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.
* Choi Young-joon as Cho Young-woon, 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.
* Choi Deok-moon as Tak Hong-shik, 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.
* Kim Hyung-mook as Toto, owner of the Italian restaurant in Geumga Plaza. He pretends to have studied in Italy to be a chef and feels threatened by Vincenzo who easily learns his secret.
* Lee Hang-na as Kwak Hee-soo, owner of a snack bar in Geumga Plaza. She regularly beats her teenage son who secretly smokes. She was a former boxer.
* Kim Seol-jin as Larry Kang, owner of a dance studio in Geumga Plaza. He is a clean-freak and hates it when people makes his studio dirty.
* Kim Yoon-hye as Seo Mi-ri, 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.
* Yang Kyung-won as Lee Chul-wook, 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.
* Seo Ye-hwa as Jang Yeon-jin, Lee Chul-wook's wife. She berates her husband when he shows false bravado.
* Kang Chae-min as Kim Young-ho, Kwak Hee-soo's son. He often smokes with his friends against his mother's wishes.
* Ri Woo-jin as Jeokha, 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.
* Kwon Seung-woo as Chaeshin, a monk assisting Jeokha. He is close to the other tenants and act as an advisor.

#### Ant Financial Management

* Kim Young-woong as Park Seok-do, 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.
* Lee Dal as Jeon Soo-nam, 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.
* Jung Ji-yoon as Yang Joo-eun, the accountant of Ant Financial Management and later ByeBye Balloon. She has a crush on Vincenzo. She helps Jipuragi fight Babel Group.

#### International Security Intelligence Service

* Im Chul-soo as Ahn Gi-seok, 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.
* Kwon Tae-won as Tae Jong-gu, 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.

#### Seoul Southeast District Prosecutors' Office

* Seo Jin-won as Hwang Jin-tae, Chief of the Seoul Southeast District Prosecutors' Office. Choi Myung-hee's former boss. He is on Babel Group's payroll after being blackmailed.
* Hwang Tae-kwang as Seo Woong-ho, Deputy Chief of Seoul Southeast District Prosecutors' Office. He is murdered by Jang Han-seok.
* Go Sang-ho as Jung In-kook, a prosecutor from Seoul Southeast District Prosecutors' Office. He works with Cho Young-woon to obtain the Guillotine File and helps Vincenzo fight Babel. He later betrays Vincenzo and works for Jang Han-seok. He is killed by Vincenzo for his betrayal.

#### Cassano Family

* Salvatore Alfano as Paolo Cassano, 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.
* Luca Vaquer as Luca, 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.

### Others

* Yoon Bok-in as Oh Gyeong-ja, 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. She is killed, orchestrated by Choi Myung-hee under Jang Han-seok's order.
* Jung Wook-jin as Lee Seon-ho, one of the test subjects for the drug RDU-90. He is the whistleblower for Babel Pharmaceuticals.
* Lee Do-guk as Hwang Gyu, 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.
* Kim Tae-hoon as Pyo Hyuk-pil, 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. He is later killed by Choi Myung-hee after Vincenzo abandoned him.

### Special Appearances

* Jin Seon-kyu as an unnamed robber #1(Ep. 1), Acting as a limousine taxi driver.
* Lee Hee-joon as an unnamed robber #2 (Ep. 1)
* Jung Soon-won as an airport police (Ep. 1)
* Yoo Jae-myung as Hong Yoo-chan (Ep. 1 -3)

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.
* Kim Jin-yi as past client (Ep. 4–5)
* Shin Seung-hwan as So Hyun-woo (Ep. 5), A corrupt attorney on Wusang Law Firm's payroll.
* Jeong Yeong-ju as a lady driving out of the court (Ep. 5)
* Cha Soon-bae as Judge Heo (Ep. 6)
* Ahn Chang-hwan as Gilbeot (Gilbert), 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)
* Yoo Yeon as Kim Yeo-won (Ep. 7), the wife of Gil Jong-moon, also the head of Sungwon University Hospital's Pediatric Cancer Center.
* Kim Byung-ji as coach of the youth football team (Ep. 7)
* Kim Sung-cheol as Hwang Min-sung (Ep. 8, 20), the CEO of Shinkwang Bank.
* Im Chae-moo as an employee of Moomoo Land (Ep. 8)
* Jeon Gook-hyang as Seo Young-sun (Ep. 8, 20), the mother of Hwang Min-sung and Chairwoman of Shinkwang Finances.
* Nichkhun and Hwang Chan-sung as leads of UCN drama "The Age of Stray Dogs and Wild Dogs" (Ep. 12)
* Yoon Kyung-ho as Nam Shin-bae (Ep. 13), the chairman of the Babel Guardian Committee Union.
* Jeon Jin-oh as Park Chan-gi (Ep. 13)
* Lee Hye-jung as Jung Do-hee (Ep. 14–15), the director of Ragusang Gallery.
* Keum Gwang-san as Keum Gwang-jin (Ep. 14)
* Jeon Jin-gi as Oh Jung-bae (Ep. 15), the CEO of Daechang Daily.
* Lee Geung-young as Park Seung-joon (Ep. 17), a presidential candidate.
* Yoo Tae-woong as Kim Seok-woo (Ep. 17–20), the secretary of Park Seung-joon, and a senior of Han Seung-hyuk.

## Production

In May 2020, director Kim Hee-won and screenwriter Park Jae-bum teamed up for *Vincenzo*. In July 2020, it was reported that Song Joong-ki and Jeon Yeo-been are considering the offer to star in the series; while Ok Taec-yeon was confirmed for the cast. Song and Jeon confirmed their appearance in the following month.

The first script reading took place on January 5, 2021.

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.

Episodes 17 and 18 were delayed one week due to the production team wanting to "improve quality" of the episodes.

## Original Soundtrack

*Main article: Vincenzo/Original Soundtrack*

## Reception

### Viewership

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*, *Encounter* and *Mr. Queen*.

The drama is currently the tenth highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history.

### Listicle

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement

## References

1. ↑ Song, Eun-kyung (August 10, 2020). 송중기-전여빈-옥택연, tvN '빈센조' 출연 … 내년 방송 [Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been and Ok Taecyeon to appear on tvN 'Vincenzo' ... Broadcast next year]. *Yonhap* (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved on October 27, 2020.
2. ↑ MacDonald, Joan (January 6, 2021). 10 Dramas To Watch Out For In 2021. *Forbes*. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved on January 9, 2021.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Nielsen Korea. *AGB Nielsen Media Research*. Archived from the original on February 20, 2021. Retrieved on March 22, 2021.
4. ↑ '빈센조' 송중기, 악당의 방식으로 빌런 옥택연X김여진X조한철 처단. *Hankyung* (in Korean) (May 3, 2021). Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved on May 3, 2021.
5. ↑ [Update "Vincenzo" Currently Ranked 4th Most Popular TV Show On Netflix Worldwide]. *Kpopmap - Kpop, Kdrama and Trend Stories Coverage* (in en-US) (2021-04-27). Retrieved on 2021-12-18.
6. ↑ Feldman, Dana. Here Are The 10 Most-Viewed Korean Series On Netflix In 2021. *Forbes* (in en). Retrieved on 2021-12-18.
7. ↑ Choi, Hye-jin (November 15, 2022). 문성현, 송중기와 재회..'빈센조' 이어 '재벌집 막내아들' 캐스팅. *Star News* (in Korean). Retrieved on November 20, 2022.
8. ↑ Hong Se-young (February 16, 2021). [단독 진선규, '빈센조' 특별출연 .. '승리호' 송중기와 인연]. *Sport Dong-A* (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved on February 16, 2021.
9. ↑ Shin Young-eun (February 16, 2021). [단독 이희준, '빈센조' 특별출연 … '보고타' 송중기와 인연]. *Daily Economy Star Today* (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved on February 16, 2021.
10. ↑ Bae Hyo-joo (February 17, 2021). '빈센조' 진선규→이희준, 첫회부터 화려한 특별출연 "하드캐리 기대". *Newsen* (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved on February 17, 2021.
11. ↑ Lee Min-ji (March 4, 2021). '빈센조' 신승환 특별출연, 송중기X전여빈과 호흡(공식). *Newsen via Naver* (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved on March 4, 2021.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Hong Se-young (March 11, 2021). 빈센조' 김성철·김병지·임채무·전국향 특별출연 [공식]. *Sports DongA via Naver* (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved on March 11, 2021.
13. ↑ Park Soo-in (March 27, 2021). 빈센조' 측 "2PM 닉쿤 황찬성 특별출연" 옥택연과 의리(공식입장). *Newsen via Naver* (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved on March 27, 2021.
14. ↑ Kim, Seong-Hyun (May 26, 2020). '왕남' 감독·'열혈사제' 작가… tvN '빈센조'로 의기투합(공식) ['The King's' Director and 'The Fiery Priest' Screenwriter together for tvN 'Vincenzo' (official)]. *YTN* (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved on February 6, 2021.
15. ↑ Song Joong-ki and Jeon Yeo-bin Mentioned for tvN's "Vincenzo". *HanCinema* (July 6, 2020). Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved on February 6, 2021.
16. ↑ Ok Taecyeon to Star in "Vincenzo". *HanCinema* (July 30, 2020). Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved on February 6, 2021.
17. ↑ Park, So-yeon (August 10, 2020). '빈센조' 송중기X전여빈X옥택연, 레전드 라인업 완성 … 2021년 방송 ['Vincenzo' Song Joong-ki x Jeon Yeo-bin x Ok Taec-yeon completes legend lineup; Broadcast in 2021]. *Exsports News* (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved on February 6, 2021 – via Naver.
18. ↑ Hwang, Hye-jin (2021-01-05). ‘빈센조’ 송중기X전여빈X옥택연X유재명 대본리딩 어땠나, 美친 연기 열전. *Newsen* (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on 2021-01-05. Retrieved on 2021-09-26.
19. ↑ "It wasn't filmed in Italy?" Viewers impressed with the jaw-dropping CG for the drama 'Vincenzo'. *allkpop* (in Korean). Retrieved on 12 March 2021.
20. ↑ '빈센조', 16회까지 방송 후 한 주 결방 (in Korean). *Ilgan Sports*. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021.
21. ↑ July 7, 2018 Nationwide Cable Ratings. *Nielsen Korea*. Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved on December 13, 2020. “1st (tvN) 미스터션샤인<본> 8.852%”
22. ↑ November 28, 2018 Nationwide Cable Ratings. *Nielsen Korea*. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved on December 13, 2020. “1st (tvN) 수목드라마(남자친구<본>) 8.683%”
23. ↑ December 12, 2020 Nationwide Cable Ratings. *Nielsen Korea*. “1st (tvN) 토일드라마(철인왕후조선중전영혼가출스캔들<본>) 8.030%”
24. ↑ Kim, Ji-hye. 제57회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 부문 최종 후보 발표..13일 생방송[공식] [The 57th Baeksang Arts Awards, finalists announced in the TV·Film·Drama category.. Live broadcast on the 13th]. *Herald Pop* (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved on April 12, 2021 – via Naver.
25. ↑ 2021 올해의 브랜드 대상 수상 기업 [2021 Brand of the Year Grand Prize Winner]. *kcforum* (in Korean) (August 19, 2021). Retrieved on August 19, 2021.
26. ↑ Asia Contents Awards. *asiacontentsawards.com*. Retrieved on 2021-10-09.
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Lee Han-lim (August 20, 2021). '서울드라마어워즈 2021', 한류드라마상 온라인 투표 진행 [Seoul Drama Awards 2021', online voting for Hallyu Drama Awards] (in Korean). *The Fact*. Retrieved on August 23, 2021 – via Naver.
28. ↑ Ahn Yun-ji (October 21, 2021). '빈센조' 작품상 최우수 수상 "송중기·제작진 고마워"[서울드라마어워즈] ['Vincenzo' Best Drama Award "Thanks Song Joong-ki and the production crew" [Seoul Drama Awards]] (in Korean). *Star News*. Retrieved on October 21, 2021 – via Naver.
29. ↑ (Actress) Outstanding Korean Drama Global Vote. *Pikkle*. Retrieved on August 23, 2021.
30. ↑ (Actor) Outstanding Korean Drama Global Vote. *Pikkle*. Retrieved on August 23, 2021.
31. ↑ 서병기 (2021-10-29). '2021대중문화예술상', 차분하면서도 의미를 담았다. *헤럴드경제* (in Korean). Retrieved on 2023-01-24.
32. ↑ 宮藤官九郎「長瀬智也くんしかできない役」、東京ドラマアウォードでグランプリ受賞. *natalie*. Retrieved on 2021-10-28.
33. ↑ Asia Artist Awards. *www.asiaartistawards.com* (in Korean). Retrieved on 2021-12-13.
34. ↑ 빈센조·슬의생 등 K드라마 열풍 이끈 '스튜디오드래곤' 대통령 표창. *국민일보* (in Korean) (2021-12-09). Retrieved on 2021-12-13.
35. ↑ 2021 Winners. *www.asiantelevisionawards.net*.
36. ↑ Lee, Seul-bi (August 31, 2022). 김혜수→이준호 '2022 APAN STAR AWARDS' 수상 후보 공개 [Kim Hye-soo → Lee Jun-ho’s ‘2022 APAN STAR AWARDS’ nominees revealed] (in Korean). *Sports Donga*. Retrieved on August 31, 2022 – via Naver.
37. ↑ The 10 best Korean dramas of 2021. *NME* (December 21, 2021). Retrieved on December 22, 2021.

## External Links

* Vincenzo's Official Website
* Vincenzo on Wikipedia
* Vincenzo on MyDramaList
* Vincenzo on HanCinema
* Vincenzo on Netflix