High School Return of a Gangster

High School Return of a Gangster (Korean: 조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다) is a South Korean fantasy drama series that premiered in 2024. The series is based on the web novel of the same name by Horol, which was serialized on Ridi Books from 2021 to 2022. The drama consists of eight episodes and was distributed through streaming platforms Wavve and TVING.

Plot

The story follows Kim Deuk-Pal, a 47-year-old gangster and high-ranking member of his organization. Despite his criminal background, Deuk-Pal harbors a secret ambition to pursue a university education, a dream hindered by his lack of formal schooling. His life takes a supernatural turn when he witnesses a young man named Song Yi-Heon attempting to take his own life. Following the incident, Deuk-Pal's spirit inhabits the body of the 19-year-old student.

Upon occupying Yi-Heon's body, Deuk-Pal discovers that the student was a victim of severe school bullying, which drove him to despair. Utilizing his experience as a gangster, Deuk-Pal begins to confront the bullies to protect his new identity. During this process, he forms an unlikely friendship with a classmate, Choi Se-Kyung, a model student who hides his own struggles with domestic abuse.

Cast

• Yoon Chan-Young as Song Yi-Heon
• Bong Jae-Hyun as Choi Se-Kyung
• Lee Seo-Jin as Kim Deuk-Pal

Production

The series was directed by Lee Sung-Taek with a screenplay by Jung Da-Hee. It was produced as an eight-episode limited series, focusing on themes of redemption, school violence, and personal growth.