Kim Deuk Pal is a 47-year-old gangster who is the #2 guy in his gang. He doesn't have an educational background due to his poor parents, but he dreams of attending a university. Deuk Pal has been studying to achieve his dream, but it's not easy. One day, he sees a young man, Song Yi Heon, about to kill himself. At that time, Deuk Pal's spirit possesses the body of the suicidal 19-year-old high school student. Deuk Pal soon learns that Yi Heon is a victim of bullying, which has caused him to want to take his own life. Now, in Yi Heon's body, Deuk Pal takes on the bullies to punish them and becomes friends with classmate Choi Se Kyung. Se Kyung is a model student who appears to be in a perfect situation but suffers from domestic violence at home by his father. (Source: AsianWiki) ~~ Adapted from the web novel "I, a Gangster, Became a High Schooler" (조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다) by Ho Rol (호롤). ~~ Release Dates: Feb 22, 2024 (Ep. 1-2 Special screening) || May 29, 2024 (Online) Edit Translation
- English
- 한국어
- 中文(简体)
- Français
- Native Title: 조폭인 내가 고등학생이 되었습니다
- Also Known As: I, a Gangster, Became a High Schooler , I, a Gangster, Became a Highschool Student , Jopokin Naega Godeunghaksaengi Doeeossseubnida , 조폭인내가고등학생이되었습니다
- Director: Lee Seong Taek
- Screenwriter: Jung Da Hui
- Genres: Life, Youth, Fantasy
Cast & Credits
- Yoon Chan YoungSong I Heon | Kim Deuk PalMain Role
- Bong Jae HyunChoi Se KyungMain Role
- Lee Seo JinKim Deuk PalMain Role
- Seo Tae HwaChoi Myung Hyun [Se Kyung's father]Support Role
- Won Tae MinKim Dong Soo [Deuk Pal's subordinate]Support Role
- Kim Se WonPark Yeon Ji [Yi Heon & Se Kyung's friend]Support Role
Reviews
It certainly has interesting characters and exciting storyline.
Awesome characters, great story, great balance between drama and action, love the humour in the series.In my opinion it is a must watch.
The principal roles are perfectly cast.
Chang-Young is a brilliant actor, has been wonderful to see its growth and development as an actor. I loved the second chapter, so funny and interesting. Highly Recommended.
As painful as bullying can be, I feel that at the end of the series there will be a good message about tolerance, education and respect. ❤️
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.
Recent Discussions
Title | Replies | Views | Latest Post | |
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Link for the original webtoon/novel by HistoricalDramaAddict98 | 18 | 0 | Amboseus Oct 1, 2024 | |
Original webnovel vs webtoon vs drama by DramasBMH | 0 | 0 | No discussions yet |