There’s just something about Vincenzo, and it’s not just the titular character’s irreverent code-switching. Song Joong Ki is a phenomenal actor, and I daresay he bodied the role of an Italian-Korean mafia consigliere to perfection.
From the decidedly intense opening scenes to the jaw-dropping finale that quite literally impressed on me that Joong Ki isn’t an actor to be trifled with, this revenge-themed legal Kdrama really did take us on a wild ride through the realms of justice, loyalty, and the pursuit of truth.
In this post, I’ll be listing 10 Korean dramas like Vincenzo that are equal parts funny and thrilling. If you’ve been looking for what to watch next if you enjoyed Vincenzo, I’ve got you covered!
Here are the best Kdramas like Vincenzo that will keep you hooked to your screens:
1. The Devil Judge
I think we can all agree that Vincenzo absolutely had a flair for showmanship, and while watching, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Head Trial Judge Kang Yo Han in this legal Kdrama set in a chaotic and dystopian Korea.
Dubbed the ‘Devil Judge,’ Yo Han rules with an iron fist in a televised courtroom, and soon a fierce rivalry ensues between himself and the ambitious Jung Sun Ah, while two childhood friends, rookie Judge Kim Ga On and Police Officer Yoon Soo Hyun, enter the fray in search of genuine justice.
You’ll enjoy this drama if you’re keen on watching political machinations from the viewpoint of the law, and I absolutely recommend The Devil Judge if you’re on the hunt for a legal Korean drama that will leave you thinking for hours.
Also see: 23 Gripping Legal K-Dramas That Combine Justice and Intrigue
2. Remember: War Of The Son
This is another absolutely thrilling Kdrama that will fill the Vincenzo-shaped spot on your watchlist if you’re looking for something new to watch.
I think we can all agree that watching the movers and the shakers do bad, bad, bad things is positively thrilling, and this Kdrama takes it to a whole new level.
In this drama, Seo Jin Woo’s hyperthymesia means he is able to relive life’s moments with astonishing clarity, but when his father finds himself unjustly implicated in a murder case, facing the grim fate of death row, he decides to exonerate his father and find out the truth many are trying to hide.
Remember: War Of The Son quite literally shook me from the inside out and I couldn’t recommend this more if you love action thrillers and you want in on the action.
Just like Vincenzo, the plot in this Kdrama moved at breakneck speed and there were many tension-filled scenes that quite literally had me on the edge of my seat.
3. Vagabond
Not that we need any more reasons, but if you want a Kdrama where the atrociousness of the people in power is put front and center, then Vagabond is the Kdrama for you.
I always recommend this Korean drama to anyone who loves action thrillers that will set your blood pumping, and just like Vincenzo, there are lots of antagonists in Cha Dal Gun’s story.
When his nephew tragically dies in a mysterious plane crash, Cha Dal Gun takes it upon himself to find out the truth when it becomes obvious that neither the authorities nor the press are saying the complete truth.
What he unearths is a massive cover-up and a tapestry of corruption that quite literally shook me to the core, and a reveal that I could never have predicted.
Just like Vincenzo, Vagabond’s reveals were epic, with utterly menacing leads, and, without spoiling anything, I’ll tell you for free that this drama was my literal obsession for weeks after watching it.
If you’re on the lookout for a Kdrama like Vincenzo that puts the thrill into thriller, Vagabond should absolutely be on your watchlist.
In this Korean drama, Kim Soo Hyun leads a double life as a secretive veterinarian and a professional assassin, and when a mysterious client offers him information about his enigmatic past and the conspiracy tied to his birth in exchange for a chilling, long-running task, he decides to throw himself into the fire.
The tones of the leads in Kill It and Vincenzo while markedly different – the former leans into the thriller aspect much more than the latter – there are also several similarities.
For one, Soo Hyun from Kill It’s past is shrouded in mystery and this is the same as Vincenzo’s.
There’s also the high-speed chase to bring down the bad guys that I absolutely loved in both dramas.
Private Lives is another Kdrama like Vincenzo about ordinary people (in this case, a group of swindlers) confronting a corporate giant and leveraging their collective expertise.
Here are the leads: Lee Jung Hwan is a team leader in a major corporation, whose unassuming appearance masks a mysterious nature, while Cha Joo Eun, an alluring swindler, survives through her cunning crimes while maintaining an innocent facade.
Then there’s Jung Bok Ki, a skilled and elegant con artist, specializing in targeting fellow tricksters, and Kim Jae Wook, Bok Ki’s trusted partner in their mischievous escapades.
Together, they combine their unique talents to take on the daunting task ahead.
6. Descendants Of The Sun
While there’s not much similarity plot-wise between Descendants Of The Sun and Vincenzo, if you loved Song Joong Ki’s acting in Vincenzo (I know you did), then you’re going to want to watch this drama as well.
In this romantic drama, he stars as Yoo Shi Jin, the captain of the Alpha Team, who prioritizes protecting others and his country above every other thing, including his somewhat rocky relationship with his love interest Kang Mo Yeon, a confident cardiothoracic surgeon who is as strict as they come.
7. The Fiery Priest
This is another Kdrama like Vincenzo that will give you the action, feels, thrills and so much more.
Starring a Catholic priest, Kim Hae Il, a talkative and timid detective, Koo Dae Young, and a smart and ambitious prosecutor, Park Kyung Sun, this unlikely team jumps through hoop after hoop to solve a murder case involving a senior priest.
While the theme of revenge isn’t emphasized, I strongly believe that it’s baked into the plot in many ways, as the team basically starts their mission in order to ferret the criminal responsible for the murder of a senior priest.
8. Legal High
In this legal Kdrama, Go Tae Rim, an arrogant but highly successful lawyer, teams up with Seo Jae In, an idealistic rookie attorney, and they put their differences aside to help clients trapped in unfair situations.
Together, they navigate the complexities of the legal world, combining their unique strengths to seek justice.
Just like Vincenzo, this underrated legal Korean drama features two lawyers with different worldviews coming together to help people in need, and it was really the most beautiful thing.
And, they both feature the most stunning character development that I believe anybody will appreciate.
Also on the theme of helping people but taking a more radical and extremely philanthropic bent, this legal Kdrama follows Cheon Ji Hun, a lawyer with a unique style and a low retainer fee, who fearlessly battles against wealthy clients and their high-priced lawyers who disregard the law.
The female lead, Baek Ma Ri, is a confident lawyer from the esteemed Baek Law Firm, who encounters a life-changing moment when she meets Ji Hun.
Together, their lives intertwine, setting the stage for an enthralling journey.
The similarities between the both are pretty much spelled out, but if you’re looking for a duo with the same dynamic as Vincenzo and Hong Cha Young, then you’re really going to enjoy this drama.
10. Again, My Life
Kim Hee Woo, a determined public prosecutor, meets an untimely demise during his investigation into a corrupt politician.
Miraculously, he returns to life and must retrace his academic journey to unravel the truth behind his supposed death.
Along the way, he joins forces with Kim Hee Ah, a brilliant young woman from a wealthy family. Together, they uncover a sinister plot orchestrated by influential power brokers.
Again, My Life is another absolutely bonkers Korean drama like Vincenzo that will leave you hooked to your screen for hours.
Like Vincenzo, Hee Woo and Hee Ah set out to take down the bad guys in power and what they discover is that there are many hidden forces at play, and worse, these hidden forces are people in places of power.
And, there you have it – 10 amazing Kdramas with the same feel and tone as Vincenzo that you should watch right now.
If you’re in the mood for some more beautiful recommendations, check out the related posts below.
You never know; you could find your next great Kdrama.
