High School Return of a Gangster (2024)

the ending ruined it all

To be honest, I didn't want to write any reviews yet but after seeing this drama either rated way too high or (unreasonably) too low, I'll give it a try. Please note that I will neither comment on the removed BL (as the endless and to nothing leading discussions are honestly exhausting) nor the casted rapist. I also did not include them in my review as I'm trying to be unbiased (in this regard!).

The drama started off strong but finished weakly. I really liked the first two episodes and couldn't wait for the others to air but my excitement didn't last long as I got slightly bored in the middle (tbf, I tend to get bored easily) and was left highly disappointed at the end.

My biggest issue lies in the fact that while representing several mental illnesses the drama failed to successfully capture and confront (!) the struggles of those affected. Instead of dealing with the issues, they just threw them in and have left them that way. So, what's the point of this drama then?

[Spoilers]
I'll start off with Yiheon: This boy is suicidal and severely depressed, has one shxt of a 'father', is being brutally bullied in school and gets verbally abused by his mentally ill mother who is a heavy drug addict. Deuk Pal (a gangster with a good heart) actually SAW his struggles and wanted to HELP him. That's great, right? To kick some bullies in the ass und make them pay for everything. He worked hard to make Yiheon's life better... only to actually HAVE his life at the end. Who are you kidding man? Why destroy the whole purpose of Deuk Pals hard work by getting rid of Yiheon in order to not have to deal with him anymore? They did him so wrong. Depression doesn't go away that easily. Yiheon didn't want Deuk Pal to have his life just because he was the one who changed it, made it better and therefore deserve it. He believes that even if he returned, he cannot be as strong as deuk pal and his life will be shxtty again. Deuk Pal has proven to be wise, so he should have known this. At least he hesitated. But he shouldn't have taken over his life. The end couldn't have been any worse.
Moreover, there's no way his mother could have recover this fast. Addiction is no joke and her internalized anxiety was way too deep for that. If you decide to portray a drug addict (and his healing) then please give it some second thought, especially if you won't be able to elaborate on it.

I believe if the producers didn't limit the number of episodes to 8 they could have focused more on the struggles (adapting to his new life) and healing of Yiheon (regaining energy) in the second half. The actor, Chan Young, did a great job, although he could work on his crying more.

Now Se Kyung: The potential regarding his character is HUGE. In my opinion, the portrayal of verbal abuse and its severity was a success. The feeling of regret and guilt towards Yiheon was also successfully captured. But, again, what was this end? Se Kyung wanted Yiheon to be back and Deuk Pal promised him to bring his friend back. Then why the hell is he so unbothered at the end?? Without ANY remorse. His regret and guilt just disappeared after talking to Yiheon. Man, but that's not how people's minds work. And where was his father at the end? Did he just give up and Se Kyung is now free? As if.
I know the story focused on Yiheon but it would have been great if they also focused more on Se Kyung so we can watch them both heal and begin a new life.
Jae Hyung did a brilliant job portraying him. I really like him as an actor.

I also have to give Yoon Chan props (i believe it's his first drama). His acting was great and I look forward to see him in more dramas.

Conclusion: I enjoyed watching this drama and would have recommended it if there wasn't such a bad ending. The story could have been much better if they focused more on the actual struggles and issues of Yiheon and Sekyung, make them both slowly heal without throwing one into the sea and remove all the deep feelings of the other towards his friend and father. I guess this should have been a happy ending but it wasn't for me.

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