The Korean drama High School Return of a Gangster, adapted from the webtoon I, a Gangster, Became a High School Student, has been airing on Viu since May 29, 2024. The series brings to life the beloved characters from the webtoon, though some plot details have been altered. This article explores how closely the drama’s characters resemble their webtoon counterparts.
Song Yi Heon: The Hero’s Transformation
In the drama, Song Yi Heon, portrayed by Yoon Chan Young, presents a more masculine and dashing appearance compared to his webtoon version, who has a cuter look. Despite the differences, both versions maintain his excellent fighting skills. It’s fascinating to see how the drama amplifies his charisma while staying true to his core traits from the webtoon.
Choi Se Kyung: Perfect Aura Match
Bong Jae Hyun’s portrayal of Choi Se Kyung in the drama captures the essence of the character from the webtoon. Fans will appreciate the actor’s ability to mirror the webtoon’s aura, making the transition from page to screen seamless. This faithful adaptation is sure to please those who loved Choi Se Kyung’s character in the original webtoon.
Kim Deuk Pal: Striking Resemblance
At first glance, Kim Deuk Pal’s portrayal in the drama by Lee Seo Jin looks remarkably similar to his webtoon counterpart. The resemblance is so strong that fans might feel like they are watching the webtoon come to life. This visual fidelity adds to the enjoyment for viewers who are familiar with the webtoon.
Hong Jae Min: Key Visual Elements
Hong Jae Min, played by Joo Yoon Chan in the drama, doesn’t look exactly like his webtoon version, but he retains the key visual element of yellow hair. This small detail helps bridge the gap between the two versions, offering a nod to fans of the webtoon while introducing slight changes for the drama.
Kim Dong Soo: Cool and Charming
Won Tae Min’s Kim Dong Soo in the drama exudes a cool, masculine, and charming vibe that is very similar to the webtoon version. This character’s consistency across both mediums highlights the effort made by the drama’s creators to stay faithful to the source material, much to the delight of fans.
Lee Mi Kyung: Different Yet Annoying
One noticeable difference is in the character of Lee Mi Kyung, who sports a different haircut in the drama compared to the webtoon. However, both versions successfully portray her annoying nature, ensuring that the character’s essence is maintained despite visual differences.
Park Yeon Ji: Consistent Style
Kim Se Won’s portrayal of Park Yeon Ji in the drama remains visually consistent with the webtoon. The similar haircut and style help in maintaining the character’s identity, making it easier for webtoon fans to recognize and appreciate her in the drama.
Song Min Seo: A Mother’s Duality
Song Min Seo, played by Lee Hee Jin in the drama, looks strikingly similar to her webtoon counterpart. This duality allows viewers to enjoy her character in both forms. Which version do you prefer?
Household Assistant: Cheerful vs. Quieter
The household assistant character shows a notable difference. In the webtoon, she is fuller and quieter, while Lee Jung Eun’s portrayal in the drama brings a more cheerful disposition. This change adds a new dimension to the character, making her more vibrant and engaging on screen.
Homeroom Teacher: Closer to Students
Lastly, Song Yi Heon’s homeroom teacher in the drama differs from the webtoon version. The webtoon teacher is closer to the students and more cheerful, adding a warm and approachable element to the story that contrasts with the drama’s portrayal.
Overall, High School Return of a Gangster offers an intriguing mix of faithful adaptations and creative liberties, providing a fresh yet familiar experience for fans of the webtoon. While some characters look remarkably similar, others have been reimagined to suit the drama’s narrative style. Which version of the characters do you prefer, the webtoon or the drama? Let us know in the comments!
