Vincenzo: 5 Things You May Have Missed—Easter Eggs and Design Details

The scenes in Vincenzo featuring Italy's impressive architecture were all created using computer graphics (Image: Netflix)

By Cheryl Lai-Lim May 04, 2021

Easter eggs and design details from the hit Korean series Vincenzo that you might have missed while you were busy focusing on Song Joong-Ki. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

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Alas, all good things must come to an end—Netflix’s hit Korean drama Vincenzo has drawn to an action-packed finish after 20 episodes of nail-biting thrills. The antihero crime series, which clinched the number one spot on Netflix in Singapore for the past few weeks, has enthralled fans with its stunning visuals, exceptional production, and a well-rounded cast.

Song Joong-Ki stars as Italian mafia consigliere, Vincenzo Cassano (Image: Netflix)

Whether you’re a fan of the bittersweet season finale or not, there’s no denying that the comedy-thriller has left an unmistakable impact on fans. In the midst of all the action-packed drama, the production crew has also weaved in plenty of surreptitious references.

Below, we cover all the hidden nuances and decor details of the drama; see if you can spot them all if you’re planning to do a re-watch.

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Song Joong-ki had to work with green and blue screens to feign walking down Italian streets (Image: Netflix)

1/5 Vincenzo wasn’t filmed in Italy

The opening of the Korean drama sees titular character Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-Ki) in Italy, carrying out his role as a consigliere for the Italian mafia. The breath-taking landscape views and architecture that cites iconic Italian locations captured the viewers’ attention. Thus, it came as a surprise when the production team revealed that none of the cast or crew stepped foot in Italy to film the shots.

The scenes in Vincenzo featuring Italy's impressive architecture were all created using computer graphics

Due to travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the crew was unable to travel to Italy. Instead, computer graphics were utilised to manipulate the scenes, as seen in a behind-the-scenes video released by the production team.

Sleek golden details imbue a rich sense of opulence in this penthouse apartment (Image: Netflix)

Jang Jun-Woo's apartment is lavishly decorated, with elegant and luxurious furnishings filling the space (Image: Netflix)

2/5 The glamorous art deco influences

Wusang Law Firm’s intern Jang Joon-woo (Ok Taecyeon) lives in a luxurious penthouse apartment that reflects a glamorous art deco-inspired interior. Gleaming gold accents and geometric details accompany high-end velvet and leather furniture pieces, whilst the decorative pendant lighting pieces that hang from the lofty ceiling add to the penthouse’s stylish appeal.

With stunning artworks and a treasure trove of handsome furnishings, the lavish space is definitely one that’s worthy of the éminence grise.

The office features similar design elements as Jang Jun-woo's penthouse apartment (Image: Netflix)

Interestingly, a similar contemporary design influence is echoed in the office of Wusang Law Firm’s attorney Choi Myung-hee (Kim Yeo-jin).

Hong Cha-yong's former office is decorated with a stylish and feminine touch (Image: Netflix)

Jang Joon-woo in Hong Cha-young's office, decorated with dark blue tones and timber details (Image: Netflix) — Jang Joon-woo standing in Hong Cha-young's office, decorated with dark blue tones and timber details (Image: Netflix)

The lawyers at Wusang were able to decorate their offices in interior styles that they gravitate towards to. While lawyer Hong Cha-young (Jeon Yeo-bin) opted for a cosmopolitan flair with blue tones and timber furnishings during her time there, Choi Myung-hee chose to decorate her office with rich, bold tones alongside gold influences.

Vincenzo Cassano's bedroom is simple and contains the bare essentials (Image: Netflix)

3/5 Vincenzo Cassano’s understated apartment

On the flip side, Cassano’s apartment is decorated sparingly. The apartment radiates a minimalistic and slightly run-down ambience, a stark contrast from Jang’s opulent penthouse. Only the bare essentials are featured here, from a simple leather sofa and lone floor lamp in the living room to the single-size bed in the bedroom.

Whilst Cassano could have easily furnished the space with luxurious pieces during his time there, but he kept the simple interior intact as it is. It’s a nod to the Italian lawyer’s fight for justice for the poorer residents of Guemga Plaza, against the richer folks of Babel Group.

Hong Yoo-chan's love for houseplants is evidenced in both his home and office (Image: Netflix)

Hong Cha-young kept her father's beloved potted plants in the house, which adds a touch of greenery to the dark interior (Image: Netflix)

4/5 The plants of Jipuragi Law Firm

Former CEO of Jipuragi Law Firm Hong Yoo-chan has a fondness for plants, so it comes as no surprise that his house—which Hong Cha-young eventually moves into—is filled with potted plants of all sorts amid cosy and furnishings upholstered in vintage-style fabrics. The houseplants, scattered around the abode, bring a lively touch to the space.

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Of course, the lush greenery doesn’t stop there; a backdrop teeming with various houseplants is often featured in the Jipuragi office. In one of the scenes where paralegal Nam Joo-sung (Yoon Byung-hee) waters the plethora of plants, he lovingly gives certain plants a unique nickname such as Sijin and Eunseom.

The catch: each plant is actually named after Song Joong-ki’s previous characters from hit shows like Descendants of the Sun and Arthdal Chronicles, making for a mini Easter egg for fans of Song.

The late Hong's love for plants could also serve as a reason for Vincenzo's and Hong Cha-young's frequent trips to cafes featuring biophilic designs (Image: Netflix)

5/5 Guest cameos and hidden references

In addition to name dropping, the production crew has also weaved in plenty of surreptitious references and guest cameos as hidden surprises for fans.

Cassano’s home, which features random glow-in-the-dark galaxy decals on the ceiling, could be a subtle reference to his space blockbuster Space Sweepers, which aired earlier in the year on Netflix. Fellow Space Sweepers actor Jin Sun-Kyu also made a guest appearance in the first episode as a limousine driver.

A Samsung Fram TV features 2PM members Nickhun and Chansung (Image: Netflix)

When Jang retreats to a hideaway oasis as a refuge from Cassano, a surprise cameo appears on his Samsung The Frame television. Nickhun and Chansung, fellow members of Korean boyband 2PM of which Ok Taecyeon is a part of, make a quick guest appearance on-screen. Alongside the sleek Samsung television, the rest of the interior also features luxurious furniture pieces and is as impeccably decorated as Jang’s penthouse.