As the K-drama continues to win the global audience and cruise into high ratings, here's what you need to know about its stellar cast

Over the weekend, Song Joong Ki made his highly-anticipated comeback withVincenzo, a thrilling tvN K-drama under the Netflix Originals banner.

In it, he plays Korean-Italian Vincenzo Cassano, a lawyer and mafia consigliere who flees an ongoing gang war in Italy, where he was adopted at a young age, for his birthplace in South Korea. There, he teams up with fellow feisty lawyer Hong Cha Young (Jeon Yeo Bin) and her intern Jang Joon Woo (2PM's Taecyeon) to give a conglomerate a taste of its own medicine.

Vincenzo got off to a good start, premiering to an average nationwide rating of 7.7 per cent, the third-highest premiere ratings of any weekend tvN drama to date. As the story continues to unfold when new episodes drop on Netflix weekly, get acquainted with the stellar cast and their characters, and find out where you may have seen them before.

(Related: Highly-Anticipated Netflix K-Dramas Vincenzo and Sisyphus to Debut in February 2021)

arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 2
Photo 2 of 2

Song Joong Ki as Vincenzo Cassano

An extremely popular Hallyu star, you might have seen a few of Song Joong Ki’s dramas and movies. One of his most famous and swoon-worthy roles is Captain Yoo Si Jin from Descendants of the Sun. In Vincenzo, Song Joong Ki’s character is decidedly different and closer to an anti-hero.

As a consigliere to an Italian mafia, Vincenzo Cassano has questionable ethics and no qualms about using evil tactics to punish evil people. You’ll be able to enjoy a different shade of sexy from Song Joong Ki in Vincenzo, and perhaps a little rom-com action too as he falls in love with Jeon Yeo Been's character, Hong Cha Young.

(Related: The Best New Korean Dramas To Watch In 2021)

arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 2
Photo 2 of 2

Jeon Yeo Been as Hong Cha Young

Vincenzo is Jeon Yeo Been’s third drama, but she has actually been in over 15 films. While she rose in acclaim following her award-winning turn in the movie After My Death, K-drama fans might recognise her most from rom-com Be Melodramatic. Her nuanced portrayal of a woman who has post-traumatic stress disorder following her boyfriend’s passing proved she can be an absolute gem in a drama too.

In Vincenzo, Jeon Yeo Been plays lawyer Hong Cha Young who prides herself in her ability to win cases. She’s a very strong and confident character, and she's bound to win you over with her little quirks.

(Related: The Best Korean Drama Series To Binge-Watch On Netflix)

arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 2
Photo 2 of 2

Ok Taecyeon as Jang Joon Woo

Ok Taecyeon is more known for his masculine and caring characters who often fight against malicious characters or even ghosts like in Bring It On, Ghost. The 2PM K-pop idol-turned-actor will be able to showcase a cuter side of himself through his character Jang Joon Woo in Vincenzo.

Jang Joon Woo is an intern lawyer who works with Hong Cha Young and has a huge crush on her (it'll be interesting to see if a love triangle will ensue). He’s a bit clumsy and ditzy, so expect some funny and adorable moments.

arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 2
Photo 2 of 2

Kim Yeo Jin as Choi Myung Hee

There are plenty of formidable opponents facing Vincenzo and Hong Cha Young. Among them is prosecutor turned lawyer Choi Myung Hee, who is portrayed by Kim Yeo Jin.

Choi Myung Hee ends up becoming a senior partner at the law firm Hong Cha Young works at, but she’s not above breaking the law if it means she can achieve her goals. While she will be an aggravating foe in this K-drama, Kim Yeo Jin has acted as plenty of warm-hearted characters, like the thoughtful police officer Lee Hae Gyeong in Extracurricular.

arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 2 Photo: Netflix
Photo 2 of 2 Photo: Netflix

Kwak Dong Yeon as Jang Han Seo

Having debuted as a teenager, Kwak Dong Yeon usually portrays kind characters like friendly and compassionate teaching assistant Yeon U Yeong in My ID Is Gangnam Beauty. He also recently showed a comical and touching cameo in the wildly popular It's Okay to Not Be Okay.

In Vincenzo, we’ll see a 180-degree turn with his character, Babel Group CEO Jang Han Seo. The head of the conglomerate is infamous for being a bit crazy and obsessed with winning, and he’ll do anything to get revenge and what he wants, even at the cost of someone’s life.

(Related: All the Luxury Designer Brands Worn in the Hit Netflix K-Drama, It’s Okay To Not Be Okay)

arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 2
Photo 2 of 2

Cho Han Cheul as Han Seung Hyuk

Rounding out the group of evil opponents is Han Seung Hyuk, who is the head of the law firm Hong Cha Young works at. Having strong ties with the prosecution and the media, Han Seung Hyuk is accustomed to winning cases for his wealthy clients. He utilises underhanded methods to turn people who oppose him into dust. 

While his character might not be your favourite lawyer in Vincenzo, actor Cho Han Cheul has played a wide spectrum of roles and you might recognise his sympathetic poetry-loving character from Romance Is a Bonus Book.

The first episode of Vincenzo premiered on February 20, with new episodes on Netflix every Saturday and Sunday until the series finale on April 25, 2021.

Topics