High School Return of a Gangster (2024)

Take back your life

All the actors were just excellent. This drama series gives the details of what bullying can do. You were able to see from both sides of those being bullied and the bullies. It also makes you see, what is your role as a person watching the actions of a person being bullied. When we see the gangster take over the role of the teenager. He is able to enlighten and teach a better way. As adults communication is needed and observation on what's going on in your teens life. This is a drama series that would be a great watch with young people to educate them. It was short sweet and to the point. When lyou make a choice you must take accountability for your actions.

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Righteous Gangster teaches about Life & Friendship! (A Short, Must Watch Drama)

This drama is heart-warming with tinge of action & comedy focusing on deep topics of bullying, child abuse, chaebol politics, family, friendships & life! Not your general soul/body swap drama, this one takes you on a ride in a crisp format of 8 episodes, that is satisfying in terms of plot, acting, music, visuals - putting it my list of best dramas of 2024, and definitely one of the best in short drama category.

➥ Best Parts:
• ML Yoon Chan Young's dual role as an ahjusshi possessed high-schooler and emo-high school kid. Perfect Voice & Acting!
• Perfect action sequences!
• Great depiction & addressal of issues of school bullying, child abuse - with actual and hint of remorse & reformation.
• The gangster sidekicks were amazing - scary, charismatic, comedic but overall loyal. Delight to watch!
• ML giving love/care/respect to those who deserve it, and kicking as where needed.
• ML relationship with SML: starts on the wrong foot but quickens to a great bromance, making SML overcome his own fears.
• The ending - bittersweet, but happy and satisfying!
• The antagonist is a killer actress, even in less screentime, she gives a mean hateful aura. Shows a job done well!

➥ Special mention: Won Tae Min playing Dong Soo is handsome & talented, looking forward to see him in other dramas

➥ Weak Parts:
None - speaking in terms of Story, Acting, Cast, Music and every other metric. But feeling-wise, it was not a masterpiece when I compare it to other dramas I have seen in my life. Still a very, very, very good drama especially done well in a short format.

➥ Overall: Highly Recommended to Watch!
8 Episodes + Good Plot, Acting, Music, Visual + Satisfying Pace & Ending. Also, Yoon Chan Young is an actor to watch out for - his voice and visuals are definitely noteworthy! ❤️

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Incredible drama!

I discover this show a bit by chance as I was scrolling through the list updates of another user. And I'm glad I did because I would have missed a masterpiece of a show.

Yet, the plot is not that original as it reminded me of the film The Dude in Me which I really loved too: a gangster's soul switching body with a high schooler (even though, in this one, the gangster's body actually dies...). But this drama was still unique in its own way as it portrays very interesting characters and tackles very important topic such as bullying, psychological abuse and many other things that it will be better for you to see by yourself. I admit that I was a bit disappointed at first when I learnt that the story was originally a BL but that they have censored that part of the novel. I didn't really understand why they did that as South Korea produces more and more BL dramas nowadays. But watching the drama, I didn't really mind that they've changed it and I was actually glad they did. Because I'm all for BL novels and manhuas to be adapted on screen but, let's be honest, it would have been really weird to see an almost 50-year-old guy (even though he's in a high schooler's body) fall in love with an 19-year-old student. I don't know if this is really what happens in the novel - as I haven't read it - but it would've been really weird to see in the drama.

Apart from the plot, I absolutely loved the characters and the actors even more. Yoon Chan Young was amazing at portraying two characters so different from each other. I could totally believe he was an ajusshi in this 19-year-old body. He made me laugh, cry and I was saying to myself the whole time that he deserved more fame for his wonderful acting skills. Before I finally checked his filmography and noticed that he's actually quite famous already. No wonder his face was familiar as he played in All of Us Are Dead that I watched quite some time ago. Bong Jae Hyun also deserves all the attention because, even though, he only plays one role, he also made me laugh but mostly cry and doubt his character at first (I really thought he could be an antagonist at the very beginning of the story). The way he plays Se Kyung was wonderful and I absolutely loved his character. The abuse that Se Kyung goes through is truly heart-wrenching and I was glad to see him stand up for himself at the end of the drama. I should also mention Joo Yoon Chan as Jae Min. His character was maybe despicable but his redemption arc was, I think, fantastic.

I will end this review by saying that I was surprised, but also glad, to see a familiar face as a BL lover: Won Tae Min. I see this guy in more and more dramas and I'm happy for him. Hope it will continue this way for him.

Anyway, if you haven't watched this drama yet, what are you waiting for?!

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Unexpected gem, a definite must watch

I honestly started off with no expectations, the title seemed meh, the synopsis was slightly interesting, and I had only expected to see lots of fighting and revenge.

But this series really exceeded all expectations, there was fighting, yes, but lots of teachings and stories that the audience could really connect to. Especially those who might have family issues similar to those of our two main leads. The series touches on so many topics, and they really delve deep into them, and it brought me to tears countless times. Redemption, bravery, learning to be independent, learning to break free of control .. It was a brutal eye-opening to how a terrible up-bringing could ruin the lives of countless children, and how Deuk Pal's guidance literally brought them back to the right paths.

For my fellow BL fans, as we know this is adapted from a BL novel, but they turned it into a bromance (super unfortunately I might add). I've always enjoyed bromance series as well as BL ones, as they give off quite a different vibe for me. I really did enjoy that there is no romance in the series, and I imagine having it would make the story turn out quite different with a possible stronger focus on the love-line. That's why I usually treat any bromance adaptation as separate from their source material - which also means I will be on a desperate hunt to find a place where I can read the original novel in English (pls anyone help with this?)

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I haven’t cried that hard in a while…

as the title suggests, I haven’t cried that hard watching a drama in a while (probably when i watched Weak Hero Class for the first time). The drama was phenomenal. The story was a good concept, there werent any holes in my opinion, and it felt like the perfect pace (not too rushed, not too slow). the acting was also *chef’s kiss.* the character arcs are also amazing. the themes of overcoming obstacles, facing challenges with friends, fighting for justice, and overall friendship/brotherhood were present. If you enjoy Weak Hero Class, you’ll probably love this too- I certainly did.
Also, the band LUCY contributed to the OST, so it was great to hear their song come on since ive been a fan of their’s for a while.
Overall, this drama is definitely worth your time, and remember to bring some tissues.

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AMAZING ?

This Korean movie is a masterclass in storytelling, proving that sometimes less is more. Clocking in at a shorter runtime than most films, it manages to deliver an emotional punch that left me in tears. The narrative is precise and focused, avoiding unnecessary subplots and instead honing in on its core message with a level of intensity that lingers long after the credits roll.

What makes this film stand out is its ability to convey deep emotions without overstaying its welcome. Every scene feels purposeful, every line of dialogue meaningful, creating a compact yet powerful experience. The characters are beautifully drawn, and their struggles and joys resonate on a deeply human level.

However, as perfect as the movie is, I couldn't help but imagine how a BL (Boys' Love) adaptation could have added an extra layer of depth. The delicate exploration of love and relationships is something that BL films often excel at, and this story seems ripe for that kind of interpretation. A BL version could have brought even more tenderness and complexity to the narrative, making it resonate even more with fans of the genre.

In conclusion, this movie is a gem—short, precise, and emotionally charged. It’s a film that doesn’t need a long runtime to tell a compelling story. While it’s already excellent, a BL adaptation could have made it a perfect ten in my book.

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