Vincenzo, the main character of Netflix’s newest South Korean drama of the same name, is a murderer, a thief, a liar, and the new horny obsession from pretty much all of TikTok.
Released in late February, Vincenzo is a direct attack on our sanity and morals. With its scrummy, anti-hero Vincenzo, acted by the wildly popular Song Joon-ki, this show is a 20 episode-long thirst trap.
I mean, was it really necessary to have him in so many turtlenecks?
https://twitter.com/VINCENZ0CASSAN0/status/1378371096857075712
In this series we follow Vincenzo as he ditches his mafia life in Italy to steal billions of dollars’ worth of gold from a hidden basement in South Korea. After the building is forcibly bought by a corrupt conglomerate, Vincenzo is sent through a redemption arc in which he must help an attorney prosecute the conglomerate’s chairman.
I’m tempted to put a question mark after redemption arc, as he is, in his own words: “A scumbag who cleans up other scum.”
I mean, the whole show is there to mess with our heads. This drama is flooded with morally grey — or just straight up bad — characters. The good guys? An ex-consigliere and a dirty, greedy attorney. The bad guys? Rich, psychotic, business men. And all of them? Hot. Hot.
Super, super hot.
The internet, and myself, are confused. It’s like: If man bad, why sexy? And if villain, why man tiddies?
if mafia then why so cute#Vincenzo #SongJoongKi pic.twitter.com/kP0iQjhqKw
— k (@kdramatelier) April 4, 2021
When the characters themselves get lost in Vincenzo’s face, are we really not supposed to as well? How many of them has he fooled into thinking he’s a top notch guy? And how many of us has he convinced that murder is okie if he keeps on styling his hair like that?
Urboboarder on TikTok said: “He’s the reason my expectations are so high.”
Ah, yes. I also expect a super-hot consigliere who only wears designer suits to run into my life, kill some people, and steal some gold. What’s better to expect in a healthy, loving relationship, than a murderer?
Get a man who will carry your bag, your drink, your blanket & cook you ramyeon👏🏼👏🏼 husband material❤️He’s a keeper🤧🤧 #Vincenzo #JeonYeoBeen #SongJoongKi pic.twitter.com/cln3u5Gm9F
— Dani💋@InASubBubble (@InASubBubble) April 4, 2021
He certainly does have some good manners for a killer.
https://twitter.com/Amanda65321232/status/1378565774114226177
I mean we’ve watched him murder people, threaten to murder people, torture people, threaten to torture people, make friends with pigeons… It’s undeniable, folks. Whether he’s harassing the local chef, dealing some brutal justice, or riding a horse, the man is an icon.
My favourite comments are always: “Mumma I’m in love with a criminal”, courtesy of our lord and saviour, Britney Spears. Exhibit A:
It’s no secret that villains get a lot of love. Whether they be queer coded, or an absolute hunk like Killmonger from Black Panther, they often steal focus from the heroes. The internet’s current dilemma is choosing between the baddie in Vincenzo and Vincenzo himself.
Days before I started the show, I was inundated on TikTok with clips of the villain wrapping a towel around a man’s throat, and throwing him onto a bed. I myself do not have such a kink, but the internet sure does. Thirsty for a choking, the girls, gays, and theys were simping big time over a psychotic, scrumptious murderer.
When I watched the episode, I understood. He had just freshly come from a shower. He was shirtless. If we were supposed to be scared of him threatening a man, why was he fresh from a shower? Why? Who in the writers room decided that? Can we be friends?
Like seriously, that’s mixed signals, mate.
The second most viewed TikTok under #Vincenzo is, rightfully so, a collage of the conglomerate’s chairman and his team. And he looks fantastic. One person commented:
@ohsojjang
And like – yeah, girl. Me too.
This TikTok with the caption “How can I hate him”, really sums up everyone’s struggles. Here we have a montage of him looking fine, with ‘Worth It‘ by Fifth Harmony playing in the background.
https://www.tiktok.com/@hi_niey/video/6944972116525698305
But is he worth it? Is it really worth facing death every day, just for those abs? Those eyes?
The comment section is swamped, and I mean swamped with similar comments.
if you think i’m not gonna shut up about this taecyeon… you’re right… i’m a clown. he’s hot #VincenzoEp13 #Vincenzo #빈센조 pic.twitter.com/vrAV5GgEDt
— taec ily🧎🏻♀️ (@only_oktaec) April 4, 2021
We’re all clowns for this man. All of us. Don’t feel bad.
So why do we have such an obsession with baddies? Why would I sell my soul for some attention from Sherlock’s Moriarty?
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My first evil love was Todd from Stargate Atlantis. Yes, please, get me some of that creepy spaceman. The love I had for him was threatened when I watched Damon Salvatore slaughter some people on screen in The Vampire Diaries. My taste only seems to have degenerated since.
Whilst I’m not wrapped up in either Vincenzo or the villain, I will admit to being into the villain’s younger brother. I can’t help it. He’s not a good guy either. He’s just… so stupid. And so hot. And, yeah, spoilt, inconsiderate, and kinda violent.
no words, only jang hanseo wearing a chain and a black turtleneck #Vincenzo #VincenzoEp13 pic.twitter.com/2kOLCikmHP
— ceci (@wookjongin) April 3, 2021
But like – himbos are in at the moment, okay? He just needs some love.
Or I need some therapy.
https://www.tiktok.com/@mo0nlqghts_/video/6944858697529085186
Psychologists say our interest in the bad guys or anti-heroes is an exploration of the darker parts of ourselves. Some say it relates to our need to rebel against an oppressive “good person” image we maintain in our everyday life.
I think, sometimes, the anti-heroes and baddies are just… delicioso.
Either way, the moral of the story is: we all have our problems, but at least our libidos are okay.
Kaitlyn Hay is a freelance lifestyle and entertainment writer for Chattr and Bubble. Magazine. You can find more of her cheeky content at kaitlynmatteahay.com.
