High School Return of a Gangster (Korean: 조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다) is a South Korean web series featuring Yoon Chan-young, Bong Jae-hyun, and Lee Seo-jin. The series will debut on Wavve and Watcha on May 29, 2024, with an early screening of the first two episodes at CGV Theater on February 22, 2024.

Plot

The series revolves around a gangster who harbors aspirations of attending college. His life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself inhabiting the body of a 19-year-old high school student who is marginalized by his peers.

Main Cast

  • Yoon Chan-young as Song Yi-heon/Kim Deuk-pal: An actor with a career spanning from child roles to adult characters.
  • Bong Jae-hyun as Choi Se-kyung: A high-achieving student who develops a close bond with Song Yi-heon.
  • Lee Seo-jin as Kim Deuk-pal: A seasoned gangster in his late 40s.

Series Information

  • Title: High School Return of a Gangster (English) / I, A Gangster, Became A High School Student (literal)
  • Korean Title: 조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다
  • Director: Lee Sung-Taek
  • Writers: Horol (original web novel), Jung Da-Hee
  • Network: Wavve
  • Episodes: To be determined
  • Release Date: May 29, 2024
  • Language: Korean
  • Country: South Korea

Overview

Kim Deuk-pal, portrayed by Lee Seo-jin, is a 47-year-old gangster who ranks second in his organization. Despite his lack of formal education due to a challenging childhood, he dreams of going to college and diligently studies to achieve this goal. His life changes dramatically when he encounters Song Yi-heon, a 19-year-old high school student on the brink of suicide. In a supernatural twist, Kim Deuk-pal's spirit ends up in Song Yi-heon's body. He soon discovers that Song Yi-heon is a victim of relentless bullying. Determined to protect the boy and confront his tormentors, Kim Deuk-pal also forms a friendship with Choi Se-kyung, a model student who hides his own painful secret of domestic abuse.

Additional Cast

  • Won Tae-Min as Kim Dong-Soo
  • Ko Dong-Ok as Jong-Chul
  • Joo Yoon-Chan as Hong Jae-Min
  • Seo Tae-Hwa as Choi Myeong-Hyun
  • Kim Se-Won as Kim Yeon-Ji
  • Lee Kyoung-Young as the boss of the Chilsung Gang
  • Shin Min-Jae as a mathematics lecturer

Background 

The series is adapted from the web novel "Jokokin Naega Godeunghaksaengyi Dweeotseummida” by Horol, which was published from November 7, 2021, to April 15, 2022, on Ridi Books