Early Access: Vincenzo E2 (Patreon)

E2. It occurs to me that this role is perfect for Song Joong Ki, right in this moment, in his career. He's young enough to still capitalize on his baby face, thus making Vinny appear innocent and cherubic when necessary, but he's also old enough to have naturally acquired a gravitas and world-weariness that is also very befitting of the role. It feels like this role is written for him, so far.

It is quite amusing that the tenants don't quite know what to make of Vinny. Sometimes, he seems like an innocent newcomer, who isn't even familiar with makgeolli. At other times, he seems dangerously badass, like when he dangles Head Thug off the side of the building. And then sometimes, he seems studious and earnest, like when he goes to Jipuragi Law Firm and spends time studying the documents to do with Babel E&C. Sometimes, he's a harsh critic, like every time he eats Chef Toto's food, and at other times, he seems more kindly, like when he tells Chef Toto to continue to feed him until he can taste a mom's touch in his food. I can't blame the tenants for not knowing what to make of him, and whether to trust him.

Vinny is shaping up to be a classic antihero. Given how Show's set him up to be quite funny, I was rather startled at the rush of memories that we gain access to, as he contemplates everything while fingering that gold lighter; he's clearly done some very nefarious things in his time with the mafia. There's blood, murders, and even what looks to be the slicing off of an ear. Vinny's not to be trifled with, that's for sure. And yet, I just seem to naturally want to root for him. Also, it absolutely helps that I'm wearing an absurdist sort of lens, and therefore am not taking everything too seriously.

There are hints of melancholy and plaintiveness about him, particularly when Lawyer Hong talks about his public defender case. In the spirit of kdrama tradition, I'm guessing that Oh Gyeong Ja must be Vinny's mother, who had abandoned him as a child. Beyond that, though, I do think a lot of it has to do with Song Joong Ki's personal charm. And also, the fact that in this story, it's mostly him against badder guys. In comparison to the Babel E&C people, Vinny looks pretty principled, heh.

This episode, I enjoyed the reluctant burgeoning connection between Vinny and Lawyer Hong, as Lawyer Hong slowly lets his guard down and begins to trust Vinny, at least a little bit. Also, Lawyer Hong does have a fatherly air about him, and the way he teaches Vinny how to drink makgeolli, then makes hangover soup and invites Vinny over, all feels very familial and warm. And, I'd guess that that's not something that Vinny's experienced in his life, even though he'd addressed his late boss as "father."

I think I might be slowly warming to Cha Young, as a character. This episode, she gets really worried about her father, when she hears that Babel is planning to surprise the tenants and demolish Geumga Plaza "accidentally" while in stealth mode. The fact that she practically goes crazy with worry for Dad makes me feel more kindly towards her. Also, we're starting to get hints that things aren't all that rosy for her at Wusang Law Firm, and this makes me feel that her larger than life persona might just be a blustery facade that she uses as a shield.

Also, I do like that she's sharp. She very quickly deduces that there must be more to it than meets the eye, with Vinny's determination to take the building back from Babel.

Taec's interpretation of Joon Woo as a puppy is coming off as overly bright, but since I kinda expect this all to be an act of Joon Woo's, I'm not too fussed about his delivery.

How curious, that the Chairman of Babel actually earns a beating from someone else who seems much more powerful and in control than he. Who might this be? Is the young Chairman just a puppet? Kwak Dong Yeon does look great all cleaned up in a suit, though, I must say.

We are introduced properly to Prosecutor Choi, who very quickly quits and becomes Lawyer Choi, and she does seem like a very intriguing presence. Her approach to doing things, even as a prosecutor, lean startlingly dark, so I can only imagine what she'd be capable of, now that she's no longer working for the prosecution. I do find it oddly refreshing, that Lawyer Choi is allowed to be pretty crass and rather boorish in general. It reminds me of the types of gross characters that are traditionally played by men. Not that I particularly gravitate towards gross characters, but it's just novel that this time, it's a strong female character who's being presented as uncouth and who doesn't care what people think because of it.

Well, that was clever of Vinny, to prevent the stealth demolition, not by the use of force (like I might've expected from a mafia consigliere), but by using a party. An elegant, apparently high-profile Sicilian Wine Party for Insiders, no less. How very shrewd. I love that Vinny's a smart guy.