Point of Story: Gold
Gradually Shifted Focus: Babel
This is not noir or a gritty drama.
Actually, much of the drama is about being 'cool', and then it becomes dark(er).

Advice in Advance: Show should not be taken seriously.
If I had to simplify everything my review says below:
The worst part about this show is the plot, because there are later frequent loopholes and because the first couple episodes aren't interesting. Show does not take itself seriously. The takeaway I had was that the show's focus is not on the plot, but the message it sends out. Themes and characters are worth pondering, and the story discusses corruption and evil through comedy and cool scenes. In fact, comedy distracts some of the illogicalities/inconsistencies of the show due to overblown scenes, so it milds down some loopholes (comedy acts as a somewhat separate scope of logic). Mafia persona should not be taken seriously until three-quarters of the series. However, I rated it a 9 overall still because of the feelings it gave me, and for defying K-Drama relationship tropes. If logically rating it, I would give it a 7.5-8.0. Flaws are all listed above, but to be honest, I really liked this drama despite its faults.

In-Depth Review:

There are two ways I rate a drama: through critical analysis and the feeling while watching.
The feeling of watching it is great if you stick to the scope of its logic.

Not a heist drama (for those wondering about the gold), and not a 'dark comedy' (totally misleading). It is a show about rampant corruption within the ranks of prosecutors, court cases, lawyers, corporations, and so on, and mixed with a hefty amount of slapstick comedic relief. Comedic relief is a break in between and does not affect the plot, serving as its own universe.

The change (especially from dark to comedy) of Italy to Korea is unnerving, but thankfully it's a very short while IF you know this. The focus is on Korea, NOT Italy. This I later found very pleasant because it would be foreign to write about a Korean-Italian mafia member in Italy as it a foreign topic and seems like its structure is fantasized. In fact, the Mafia persona is already the most fantasy-structured part, if you don't count the humor.
Many came for the Mafia persona, so here's a hint: His mafia persona acts as a background introduction until about the middle of the series, where his characterization is looked more deeply into. It's not The Godfather. This is all in K-Drama style.

The first three episodes are not so gripping. I personally don't like it when people tell me to wait until a show gets good, so it's up to you to stick around or not. For me, it was unexpectedly worth it.
At its fourth, it picks up the pace and goes on a huge exponential growth of anticipation and excitement until around the middle, and then it goes through a kind of confusing period and then, I would say a satisfactory ending.
(Hence the title of this review)

Here are the best things about this drama: Unfaltering characterization consistency and an independent female lead. It also does not goes back on its themes and many lines in this drama are worth pondering on.

The drama has about two episodes worth of filler in its run towards the end, but I would argue the ending is a good end. It wraps up every single plotline and unanswered question. However, there are definitely plot and logical loopholes, though you are able to rationalize this with character motivations. Still, if you took out the supporting cast's comedy, then it could be broken down into even fewer episodes. Still, the comedy does fill in errors, and the significant moments don't work if the drama is gritty.

The soundtrack is definitely a selling point and never misses. The acting is on point (minus the comedy, because I didn't find it funny), and the chemistry between the two leads is great in the workplace. Romance is a slow burn, not front and center, and doesn't affect the plot.

The ending is kind of open, in the sense that you can imagine what's going to happen, but wraps up everything. The drama is also a great exploration into different themes and definitely has the most brutal blood-type scenes I have seen in a K-Drama (it's not that brutal, just so considering the scope of violence in K-Dramas).

I would especially say that I really never considered SJK to portray a mafia member because his image didn't stick it out to me. I still can see that point, but his acting definitely pulled through and made it believable. I also think his blend of comfortable humor and dark acting worked very well. Speaking of humor, slapstick (typical K-Drama style) is a large part of the drama, though not very important, so you can skip some of it, mostly serving as a distraction or breather from the plot. I personally am not so fond of the cast, because I saw them as mainly as fill-ins, but many like them gradually. Still, humor worked the best when it was under the working relationship of the leads because it was a simple integration within the story.

Do give it a try. I might have been disappointed with some parts but not utterly shocked and dismayed by it, and I still recommend this no matter what. I left the drama with a light and fulfilled heart.
Ah, that sentence is a little underwhelming.
It is the drama I enjoyed the most thus far in 2021.
I joined MDL to participate in its discussions.

If not, we can sure agree to disagree. Hope this helps.