2024

to me, that's cinema

I tried to watch another drama today - I can't because I'm still hang up on Happiness. It's so hard to move on from this one. Honestly, this has to be of the the best dramas I've watched over the span of a decade, and I'm sure it made even more of a impression shortly after covid happened.
It really reminded me that basic, full on korean romance dramas are really not for me. I think I've been overwhelmed with them and not enjoying them as much - I'm barely getting through It's Okay Not To Be Okay for god's sake, and it's supposed to be one of the best romance drama there is. But some good world building with a realistic powerful couple with just enough skinship? Bro, sign me the fuck up plus it will make me kick my feet in the air like a child

REWATCH

I truly don't know a drama that would be so addictive on a second watch like I literally binged it in one night which I don't do these days, even with new series (+ what the fuck I watched it for the first time almost exactly a year ago and I'm pretty sure all in one night too finishing it at the same time at like 7am).

Also I changed the rating from 7.5 to 8! Through out 3/4 of the rewatch I was questioning myself out loud for giving it such a low score before because it was exceeding my expectations and memories BUT the weaker points of the plot and weird pacing at the end stopped me from giving it any higher score. Absolute favourite though, will probably rewatch again.

While I don't feel my opinion on Vincenzo is fully coherent yet, I can't just leave the comment window empty and just move on to the next drama.
Vincenzo's promo photos and trailer gave an impression of the show being very dark, violent and bloody thriller - despite the fact that I do love that genre, I didn't feel like watching it for a long time. Additionaly, I did have my personal reservations regarding Song Joong Ki.
Turnes out Vincenzo's plot was a total surprise and I wouldn't guess it in a million years. I laughed probably more then with any other drama. Don't get me wrong - the show was violent for sure, but funny, at times even ridiculous scenes were not what I was expecting from a story about a mafia member from Italy. And I do feel that's where Vincenzo shines the brightest too. 

To be totaly truthful the beggining was a rough one for me. I put it on hold after episode one just to bearly finish next few. But I pulled through and was rewarded. After episode three with Vincezo and Hong Cha Young joining forces i was fully invested -  like "'fine, one more episode' while the sun was rising" type of fully invested.
First half of the show was such a breath of fresh air. Equal partnership beetween leads, diffrent villains and fun rest of the crew - there wasn't a subplot that wouldn't interest me, which is quite rare in my case, I get bored easily.
Second half got a bit repetitive with its cliffhangers but it had it's moments. It also got increasingly more "typical korean drama" vibes too - which is not bad, but I though it was going in a different direction. When I came to terms with that, I fully accepted it and got satisfied with the ending.

On a global scale I would probably give Vincenzo an 8 BUT it strongly stands out from other kdramas. I do think there is a reason why it's so highly rated online. Not to mention younger version of me wouldn't shut up about it. 100% rewatch material.