High School Return of a Gangster (Korean: 조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다) is a 2024 South Korean fantasy teen action television series starring Yoon Chan-young, Bong Jae-hyun and Lee Seo-jin. Based on the manhwa of the same Korean title by Horol.[4] It was aired on Lifetime from May 29 to June 19, 2024, every Wednesday at 14:00 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING, Wavve and Watcha in South Korea, and on Viu in selected regions.[1] The first two episodes premiered at CGV Theater and were released on February 22, 2024.[5]
| High School Return of a Gangster | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다 |
| Literal meaning | I a Gangster Became a High Schooler |
| Revised Romanization | Jopogin naega godeunghaksaengi doeeotseumnida |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chop'ogin naega kodŭnghaksaengi toeŏtsŭmnida |
| Genre | |
| Based on | I, A Gangster, Became a High Schooler by Horol |
| Written by | Jeong Da-hee[2] |
| Directed by | Lee Seong-taek[2] |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Im Seung-yong[3] |
| Opening theme | "Go" by Lucy |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Bang Gwang-joon[3] |
| Producer | Kim Mi-na[3] |
| Cinematography | |
| Editor | Lee Soo-yong[3] |
| Original release | |
| Network | Lifetime |
| Release | May 29 – June 19, 2024 |
High School Return of a Gangster was the top viewed drama on Viu in Thailand and Indonesia during its release.[6]
Synopsis
editHigh School Return of a Gangster tells the story of a gangster who 'wants to go to college' and possesses the body of a 19-year-old outcast high school student.
Cast and characters
editMain
edit- Yoon Chan-young as Song Yi-heon/Kim Deuk-pal[7]
- Song Yi-heon: A 19-year-old high school student who suffered from bullying and decided to end his life. He is the illegitimate son of Chairman Bae, owner of one of the largest construction companies.
- Kim Deuk-pal: A 47-year-old gangster of the Chilsung Gang who dreams of studying and joining high school, as he wasn't able to study due to his poor background. One day, his soul enters the body of Song Yi-heon when he tries to stop the boy from committing suicide. Unable to escape the body of the young student, he finds out that the real Song Yi-heon was severely bullied, which caused him to commit suicide. He decides to punish his bullies and help him to get into university with good grades. During the process, he befriends the school's class president and popular boy, Choi Se-kyung.
- Bong Jae-hyun as Choi Se-kyung[8]
- The school's class president and a model student who is seemingly perfect in everything, but harbors a secret. He later develops a special friendship with Song Yi-heon.
- Lee Seo-jin as Kim Deuk-pal (special appearance)[9]
- A 47-year-old gangster whose soul enters the body of Song Yi-heon after he tries to save him. He is the respected leader of the Chilsung Gang.
Supporting
editPeople around Kim Deuk-pal
edit- Won Tae-min as Kim Dong-soo[10]
- A member of the Chilsung Gang, and the right-hand man of Deuk-pal.
- Ko Dong-ok as Jong Cheol[10]
- A member of the Chilsung Gang.
- Lee Geung-young as Seo Chil-sung[11]
- The founder of the Chilsung Gang and Deuk-pal's mentor.
People around Song Yi-heon
edit- Hwang Bo-ra as Lee Mi-kyung[11]
- The secretary of Chairman Bae, and the one who manages Yi-heon's household.
- Lee Hee-jin as Song Min-seo[11]
- The mother of Yi-heon who raises him alone and was a former teen star.
People around Choi Se-kyung
edit- Seo Tae-hwa as Choi Myung-hyun[11]
- The father of Se-kyung and the Chief Prosecutor.
People from high school
edit- Joo Yoon-chan as Hong Jae-min[12]
- Classmate and the leader of the bullies who tormented Yi-heon, but later becomes his follower and friend.
- Lee Jeong-han as Byeong-cheol[13]
- Classmate and one of the bullies of Yi-heon.
- Jung Ji-in as Kim Ye-ji[14]
- One of the girl students who befriends Yi-heon.
Production
editDevelopment
editThe original manhwa created by Harol was a BL story. However, the producer stated that there could be limitation on production investment and recoup for a BL content. Therefore, it's produced as a bromance-themed story instead.[6][15]
References
edit- ^ a b Jae-hwan, Park (May 29, 2024). "'조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다'.. 오늘(29일) 첫 방송" ['I, a gangster, became a high school student'… First broadcast today (29th)]. KBS Media (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ a b Soo-bin, Choi (May 14, 2024). "'조폭인 내가' 윤찬영·봉재현, 찰떡 브로맨스 '케미'…대본 리딩 공개" ['I am a gangster' Yoon Chan-young and Bong Jae-hyun, perfect bromance 'chemistry'... Script reading released]. ZUM News. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f High School Return of a Gangster. Episode 1. May 29, 2024. TVING.
- ^ Nath, Nikita (June 10, 2024). "High School Return of a Gangster K-Drama: Is It Based on a Manhwa or a Webtoon?". Yahoo Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ Jae-hwan, Park (February 5, 2024). "웨이브 드라마 '조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다'... CGV 1,2화 특별상영" [Wavve drama 'I, a gangster, became a high school student'... CGV special screening of episodes 1 and 2] (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ a b Lee, Ho-je. "동성애 지우고 '브로맨스' 변형… 지나친 '조폭 미화'는 논란" [Transformed from "BL" to "Bromance"... Controversy over the Beautification of School Violence]. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Park, Rosa (May 16, 2024). "'조폭고' 윤찬영, 조폭에서 왕따 학생으로.. 1인 2역 열연" ['Gangster High School' Yoon Chan-young, from a gangster to an outcast student... a passionate performance in two roles per person]. Maeil Business Newspaper. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Su-jin, Kim (May 14, 2024). "골든차일드 봉재현, 드라마 '조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다' 대본 리딩 현장" [Golden Child's Bong Jae-hyun, script reading for the drama 'I, a Gangster, Became a High School Student']. Star News Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Hyang-hee, Jin (April 6, 2023). "이서진, 조폭 된다…'조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다' 출연" [Lee Seo-jin becomes a gangster... Appeared in 'I, a Gangster, Became a High School Student']. Maeil Business Newspaper. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^ a b So-yoon, Yoon (May 27, 2024). "'조폭고' 이서진에 빙의된 윤찬영→'내안의 그놈'과 다른 성장 스토리[종합]" [Yoon Chan-young, possessed by 'Gangster High School' Lee Seo-jin → A growth story different from 'The Guy Inside Me' [Comprehensive]]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c d Kim, Na-yul (May 22, 2024). "'조폭고' 황보라X서태화X이희진X이경영, 탄탄한 라인업" ['Gangster High School' Hwang Bo-ra X Seo Tae-hwa X Lee Hee-jin X Lee Kyung-young, a solid lineup]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 18, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ Yoon, Seongyeol (September 26, 2023). "신예 주윤찬, 웰스와 전속계약..'조폭인 내가 고등학생' 캐스팅 [공식]" [Rookie Joo Yoon-chan signs exclusive contract with Wells... Casting for 'I'm a Gangster in High School' [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ Jang, Jin-ri (June 21, 2024). "'조폭고' 이정한 "'시작점'으로 기억될 작품…좋은 경험이자 원동력"" ['Gangster High School' Lee Jeong-han "A work that will be remembered as the 'starting point'... a good experience and driving force"]. SPOTV NEWS (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ Bong-seok, Son (May 28, 2024). "신예 정지인, '조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다' 예지 역 낙점" [Rookie Jeong Ji-in selected for the role of Ye-ji in 'I, a Gangster, Became a High School Student']. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Jang, Han-byeol. "BL 원작에서 노선 바꾼 '고등학생이 되었습니다', 이유는" [The Reason It's Changed from an Original BL Story to a Story for "Becoming a High School Student"]. hankookilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
