This is a story about the lesser of two evils.
I came to this drama, about a year later, it's been on my Netflix main page staring at me for a while, and since I need something to distract myself after the university exams, I decided to give it a try. So I went somewhat blindly. I didn't read any reviews, which for what i can see are very mix, with people liking it and other people totally despising it, and I get it, this drama isn't for everyone, I think is an acquired taste.
This drama starts slow, but eventually it picks up the pace, and then you are hooked up, and watching the next episode. Because something this drama does well is cliffhangers.
This drama follows main character Vincenzo Cassano, an Italian mafia consigliere, and just by that description we can tell he is not a good guy, not even close, he is an anti-hero though-and-through and i love the writers for sticking to their guns and keep him like this to the very end. Then, we have the counterpart, Hong Cha-Young, that is someone who is willing to go to any length to win a case, even if that means less legal stuff. And with this, we have the killer duo together to fight their common enemy Babel Group. Next, we have the "villains" of the show. I liked the whole concept they created for the main villain, but i think the execution wasn't the best as he relied a lot on other people to do his dirty work, and I feel that consequently that was his down fall. For me Choi Myung-Hee, at times felt more like the real thing, she felt more like the actual villain, but i guess she was only doing what she was told too.
This drama is a commentary on corruption and the web of bribes, favors and money that basically controls it all, even justice. This drama, to me, in a way, serves as catharsis, someone came and gave the bad guys what they deserved, he did what normal people can't do and sometimes want to, make the evil people pay for their sins. Vincenzo isn't a good guy, and he never claimed to be, he is the lesser of two evils, he is the devil fighting another devil.
In a lighter note, this drama is also filled with quirky comedy, and a cast of surprisingly entertaining people, like the tenants of Geumga Plaza. I think they were endearing and fun to watch, and without them half of the things that happened wouldn't have happen.
There's a very buried romance subplot with the main characters, that only comes to some fruition at the end, and honestly never did I feel so frustrated with a couple before, they acted almost like they were married, but only in the last minutes, of the last episode is that they finally admitted it. But, for a drama that isn't about romance, this couple his one of the heathiest non-toxic relationships I've ever seen in a drama.
This story is full of twists and turns, some predictable, some unpredictable and others straight out ridiculous, but I think that's what makes this drama good. Sometimes my predictions for what happens next were right, and other times they were wrong, because cliché isn't necessarily bad, and when well done can be as good as something unpredictable.
Acting/Cast: I need to congratulate the casting director because he nailed it, I honestly can't see anyone else playing this characters, from the main one to the side ones. Song Joong-Ki was great in is role, i love the
duality he had, one moment he looked adorable and innocent, and in the next one a cold-blood killer, and honestly this man's eyes tell all the story alone, I could tell what he was feeling by just looking at his eyes. Jeon Yeo-Been was also great, i found her over the top acting a bit annoying in the beginning, but as time went by I start finding it quite funny nad adorable. Kwak Dong-Yeon, I’ve seen in dramas before and I really like him, and honestly, he stole my heart in this drama, and even made me cry (and that's something, as i rarely cry watching anything), I think he's acting was superb. Kim Yeo-Jin was amazing, she really made me hate Myung-Hee with all my heart and honestly, it's been a while since I despised a character this much. The rest of cast were also great in their roles and made me love every single one of their characters. And last but not least, we have to talk about Ok Taecyeon, he stole the show with is acting, principally because of how much he improved from the last drama I saw with him, he was brilliant in this role and deserves an award, and i won't say more cause i don't want to spoil anything.
As for the cinematography, was good, nothing out of this world, but it did the job well. The OST was also fitting, and i really enjoyed some of the songs, and they are now part of my playlist.
Side note, i really applaud Song Joon-Ki for his effort on trying to speak Italian as best has he could, I’m totally sure it wasn't easy, as Korean as nothing to do with Italian, and as someone who’s first language is a Latin one and still finds Italian hard, Joon-Ki was incredibly good, and was also funny to hear him curse in Italian.
Will I watch this drama again? I don't know, I'm not the type to rewatch dramas, principally those who have plot twists, as the second time around isn't as enjoyable, so it's more a no then a yes, but we will see. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you like dark comedy, very light romance and moral greyness. I think this drama is not for everyone, and that some people won't like it and that’s okay. To me it was a good drama that I enjoyed every single moment of. I think if you can get through the first couple of episodes and get use to the style, you will like it, and by the last couple of episodes you'll be in the edge of your seat. Overall, I think this drama it's a dark but fun watch.
This drama starts slow, but eventually it picks up the pace, and then you are hooked up, and watching the next episode. Because something this drama does well is cliffhangers.
This drama follows main character Vincenzo Cassano, an Italian mafia consigliere, and just by that description we can tell he is not a good guy, not even close, he is an anti-hero though-and-through and i love the writers for sticking to their guns and keep him like this to the very end. Then, we have the counterpart, Hong Cha-Young, that is someone who is willing to go to any length to win a case, even if that means less legal stuff. And with this, we have the killer duo together to fight their common enemy Babel Group. Next, we have the "villains" of the show. I liked the whole concept they created for the main villain, but i think the execution wasn't the best as he relied a lot on other people to do his dirty work, and I feel that consequently that was his down fall. For me Choi Myung-Hee, at times felt more like the real thing, she felt more like the actual villain, but i guess she was only doing what she was told too.
This drama is a commentary on corruption and the web of bribes, favors and money that basically controls it all, even justice. This drama, to me, in a way, serves as catharsis, someone came and gave the bad guys what they deserved, he did what normal people can't do and sometimes want to, make the evil people pay for their sins. Vincenzo isn't a good guy, and he never claimed to be, he is the lesser of two evils, he is the devil fighting another devil.
In a lighter note, this drama is also filled with quirky comedy, and a cast of surprisingly entertaining people, like the tenants of Geumga Plaza. I think they were endearing and fun to watch, and without them half of the things that happened wouldn't have happen.
There's a very buried romance subplot with the main characters, that only comes to some fruition at the end, and honestly never did I feel so frustrated with a couple before, they acted almost like they were married, but only in the last minutes, of the last episode is that they finally admitted it. But, for a drama that isn't about romance, this couple his one of the heathiest non-toxic relationships I've ever seen in a drama.
This story is full of twists and turns, some predictable, some unpredictable and others straight out ridiculous, but I think that's what makes this drama good. Sometimes my predictions for what happens next were right, and other times they were wrong, because cliché isn't necessarily bad, and when well done can be as good as something unpredictable.
Acting/Cast: I need to congratulate the casting director because he nailed it, I honestly can't see anyone else playing this characters, from the main one to the side ones. Song Joong-Ki was great in is role, i love the
duality he had, one moment he looked adorable and innocent, and in the next one a cold-blood killer, and honestly this man's eyes tell all the story alone, I could tell what he was feeling by just looking at his eyes. Jeon Yeo-Been was also great, i found her over the top acting a bit annoying in the beginning, but as time went by I start finding it quite funny nad adorable. Kwak Dong-Yeon, I’ve seen in dramas before and I really like him, and honestly, he stole my heart in this drama, and even made me cry (and that's something, as i rarely cry watching anything), I think he's acting was superb. Kim Yeo-Jin was amazing, she really made me hate Myung-Hee with all my heart and honestly, it's been a while since I despised a character this much. The rest of cast were also great in their roles and made me love every single one of their characters. And last but not least, we have to talk about Ok Taecyeon, he stole the show with is acting, principally because of how much he improved from the last drama I saw with him, he was brilliant in this role and deserves an award, and i won't say more cause i don't want to spoil anything.
As for the cinematography, was good, nothing out of this world, but it did the job well. The OST was also fitting, and i really enjoyed some of the songs, and they are now part of my playlist.
Side note, i really applaud Song Joon-Ki for his effort on trying to speak Italian as best has he could, I’m totally sure it wasn't easy, as Korean as nothing to do with Italian, and as someone who’s first language is a Latin one and still finds Italian hard, Joon-Ki was incredibly good, and was also funny to hear him curse in Italian.
Will I watch this drama again? I don't know, I'm not the type to rewatch dramas, principally those who have plot twists, as the second time around isn't as enjoyable, so it's more a no then a yes, but we will see. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you like dark comedy, very light romance and moral greyness. I think this drama is not for everyone, and that some people won't like it and that’s okay. To me it was a good drama that I enjoyed every single moment of. I think if you can get through the first couple of episodes and get use to the style, you will like it, and by the last couple of episodes you'll be in the edge of your seat. Overall, I think this drama it's a dark but fun watch.
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