Whenever I watch shows like House of Cards or Narcos, the thought that I keep having is, "why? why do you want this so badly? what's the point?"
My theory is that seeking power is very evolutionarily satisfying, and it has no ceiling. This means that, even for people smart enough to see its diminishing returns as a means to actual happiness, it can provide an everlasting narrative for one's life, which can create a kind of happiness. It can fill an existential void for certain people who a) choose to ignore the question of what it's all for, and b) are sociopathic enough to not care what effect it has on others. You always have something to work towards. Satisfying existential quandaries is a highly desirable goal in itself.
Whatever powerful attribute you are aiming for (money, looks, fame, pure power), it's much easier to get more of the same than to extend to other attributes.
The CEO of Alibaba tried to make a movie, but it was crap, he didn't become a famous movie star.
Kim dot com tried DJing, he failed, he's just a rich guy as well.
Famous people can easily fail in their business as well: Jamie Oliver just closed a lot of restaurants, even though he had loads of play money and his name on them.
Of course there are exceptions, for example investing is easy if you are famous enough to personal get help from great investors.
Getting out of the drug business is difficult for the guys at the upper levels.
When being in the drug business you need to quiet to avoid burning yourself. Your partners need to keep quiet to avoid burning themselves.
But if you go legit then you can "talk" by leaking info and then your partners will get burned. They don't want that, so they will make sure you can't get out, e.g. by threatning your family.
Even if you end up with all the money you need for the rest of your life, what are you going to spend your time with? Eternal holiday isn't nice after a couple of months.
The drug job keeps people busy and gives them a purpose. That's so much more important than the money and power. Even bright dogs like Border Collies go crazy when they don't have a job.
My theory is that seeking power is very evolutionarily satisfying, and it has no ceiling. This means that, even for people smart enough to see its diminishing returns as a means to actual happiness, it can provide an everlasting narrative for one's life, which can create a kind of happiness. It can fill an existential void for certain people who a) choose to ignore the question of what it's all for, and b) are sociopathic enough to not care what effect it has on others. You always have something to work towards. Satisfying existential quandaries is a highly desirable goal in itself.