Early Access: Vincenzo E1 (Patreon)

E1. Honestly, I wasn't really intending to check out this show, but since the show's premiere, I've heard enough positive things that I became intrigued. FOMO, y'know?

The thing is, I'd heard that this show feels like Chief Kim and The Fiery Priest came together and had a baby, and since I've never felt inclined to watch either of those dramas, I didn't think I'd like this one either. Also, this drama's synopsis mentions that our main characters are lawyers, and that didn't sound that appealing to me either. Legal stuff just isn't typically my cup of tea. And so, I'm honestly kind of shocked that I like this show right away. I didn't even really feel the length of the episode, even though it's a whopping 1 hour and 25 minutes. This is the best kind of drama shock, to be sure. 😉

I'm quite surprised by Show's huge tonal shifts, and, I'm even more surprised by how I actually don't seem to feel at all whiplashy from said tonal shifts. I mean, the opening scenes in Italy are all High Melodrama, complete with imposing buildings and impressive aerial shots of sprawling estates, and then when Vincenzo (Vinny?) arrives in Korea, all that swelling melodrama gives way to strong lashings of screwball comedy, without missing a beat. And I am completely entertained. Tee hee hee. Who knew that I'd get such a kick out of Song Joong Ki's hotshot, suavely dangerous mafia consigliere fighting with a shower head that's apparently spazzing - and getting oh-so-hot - at the sight of his soapy, nekkid body? Ahahaha. 😆 Too funny!

I am really digging Song Joong Ki as our titular Vincenzo.. This role (so far, anyway) taps not only on his ability to be a too-cool-for-school charismatic leading man, but also his comic timing, which he has oodles of, as evidenced by his delightful turn in Sungkyunkwan Scandal, but which has largely gone untapped in his recent roles. This is so great, that this role gives him the opportunity to flex in both directions.

I'm not sure yet how I feel about Jeon Yeo Bin's character Cha Young. I have a fondness for Jeon Yeo Bin from Be Melodramatic, so I want to like her in this. So far, though, I'm not sure that I like Cha Young, as a character. To be sure, this is clearly by design and not by accident, so I think I'm at least in the vicinity of where Show wants me to be, in relation to Cha Young.

I find her OTT and in-yo-face, and rather too blithely materialistic for my taste. Her fake tears in front of her boss, because she's fake-moved by the bonus he's just given her, feel unnecessary and excessive to my eyes. However, there's a deadpan quality to her gaze that perhaps adds a layer of irony to everything she says and does. I'm not sure if this is a character trait or just Jeon Yeo Bin's natural gaze, so I'm waiting to see how that settles.

I have hope that Show will peel away some of Cha Young's layers soon, so that I will find her more sympathetic &/or likable. As a silver lining, the way she comes to her father's immediate defense when he's being threatened by the thugs hired by Babel E&C, even though he's just taken steps to sever their relationship, definitely helps to improve my impression of her.

Taecyeon's also barely made an appearance this episode, so I don't have strong feelings about his character just yet. It's just that even in the early promotions around this drama, Taec was already being talked about as this story's villain, so I already know not to take his puppy vibe at face value. I'm doing my best to pretend not to know, though, heh. As a puppy intern, Taec's Joon Woo is bright, bubbly and earnest - definitely not the kind of character you'd expect to be a villain. Oops. I did say I was going to pretend not to know, didn't I? 😅

The gaggle of dispossessed tenants is shaping up to be a quirky, eccentric lot, and I do think I will be nicely entertained by them. I'm quite thrilled that Yang Kyung Won is among them, since I loved him in Crash Landing On You, and also enjoyed him nicely in Hi Bye, Mama!. His character vibes a bit Monkey King to me so far, with his body language and his tendency to vault from place to place, as he peers at people and happenings from afar. I'm also quite amused at our faux-Italian chef, who looks like he stepped right out of an Italian spoof of Ratatouille.

As it turns out, Babel E&C is quite the dirty player. I was pretty shocked when Mr. Cho got taken down by a truck of doom - even after they've gotten what they wanted, by holding his family hostage. Dang. That's evil.

Happily, Vinny is very well-versed in dealing with dirty thugs like these, and my inner fangirl legit cheered when he shows up, and with what feels like a single flick of his wrist, has Head Thug hanging on for dear life by the measuring tape that Vinny's conveniently nicked off Tailor Dude. Ooh. The badassery is back, and I dig it.

Overall, a very enjoyable first episode, and I'm looking forward to settling in properly for this ride.