High School Return of a Gangster (2025)
Starring: Yoon Chan-young, Bong Jae-hyun, Lee Seo-jin
Platform: Wavve / Netflix
Douban Rating: 8.3
Plot Summary:
Kim Deuk-pal (Lee Seo-jin) is a feared middle-aged gangster with a tough exterior and a loyal heart. But after a sudden betrayal, he dies—only to wake up in the body of a 19-year-old high school student, Song Yi-heon (Yoon Chan-young), who was about to take his own life due to relentless bullying and trauma.
Now trapped in Yi-heon’s body, Deuk-pal must navigate school life with zero patience for injustice and a gangster’s sense of honor. Using his street smarts and brutal fighting skills, he defends classmates, reforms the school hierarchy, and searches for the reason he was sent back.
But the more he lives Yi-heon’s life, the more he realizes this second chance isn’t just about revenge—it’s about healing, growth, and finding purpose beyond violence.
Highlights:
- Yoon Chan-young delivers an impressive dual-layered performance—capturing both youthful vulnerability and an older soul’s intensity.
- Well-choreographed fight scenes and suspenseful showdowns bring gritty energy to each episode.
- The script balances action with powerful emotional beats—addressing bullying, depression, suicide, and identity.
- Strong side characters, especially among the misfit classmates, give the story additional emotional layers.
What Could Be Better:
- Some plot elements (like the supernatural body-swap) are underexplained and require suspension of disbelief.
- The tone can shift rapidly from comedy to violence to drama, which may feel jarring for some viewers.
Verdict:
High School Return of a Gangster is a fresh and compelling genre mashup that delivers both punches and heart. It’s a rare K-drama that’s as socially relevant as it is entertaining—raising questions about violence, redemption, and second chances in a uniquely stylized way.
Perfect for fans of Weak Hero Class 1, The Uncanny Counter, or anyone who enjoys revenge dramas with a soul.