My Strange Hero (Korean: 복수가 돌아왔다) is a romantic-comedy drama that aired on SBS from 2018 to 2019. It follows Kang Bok-soo, who was expelled from high school after being falsely accused of school violence, as he returns nine years later to seek revenge. Series Overview Total Episodes : 32 (approximately 30–35 minutes each). Genre : Romantic Comedy, School, Drama. Main Cast : Yoo Seung-ho as Kang Bok-soo: A 25-year-old high school student seeking to reform the school and clear his name. Jo Bo-ah as Son Soo-jung: Bok-soo's first love who is now a temporary teacher at their former high school. Kwak Dong-yeon as Oh Se-ho: The new board chairman of Seolsong High School and the person behind Bok-soo's past expulsion. Plot Summary After being expelled for a crime he didn't commit, Kang Bok-soo’s life stalls, and he ends up working for a "Your Request" errand service. When a heroic act goes viral, he is invited back to Seolsong High School as a student. He initially returns to get revenge on those who betrayed him, but quickly becomes a champion for the school's "misfit" students in the Wildflower Class, fighting against the school's corrupt and competitive environment. Where to Watch
My Strange Hero: A Deep Dive into the K-Drama That Redefines Revenge and Romance In the vast ocean of Korean dramas, where the "Cinderella story" and the "Chaebol romance" often dominate the charts, it takes a truly unique narrative to stand out. Enter My Strange Hero (also known as Revenge Is Back and The Return of Bok Dan Joo ), a 2018 SBS drama that flew somewhat under the radar during its run but has since garnered a cult following for its refreshing blend of dark comedy, high school politics, and star-crossed romance. If you are searching for a drama that deviates from the norm—one that asks whether revenge is worth sacrificing your integrity and first love—this is your hidden gem. The Plot: A 9-Year-Old Grudge Meets a High School Classroom At first glance, My Strange Hero sounds like a standard setup. The story follows Kang Bok Soo (played by the immensely talented Yoo Seung Ho), a man in his late twenties who returns to high school to complete his diploma. However, there is a massive catch. Nine years prior, Bok Soo was a promising, happy-go-lucky student with dreams of becoming a teacher. Everything changed when a tragic accident involving a girl jumping from the school rooftop led to him being falsely accused of assault and "school violence"—a social death sentence in Korean society. Expelled and branded a criminal, Bok Soo watched his life crumble. His first love, Son Soo Jung (Jo Bo Ah), chose to testify against him to protect her scholarship, breaking his heart. Fast forward to the present. The school that expelled him is now corrupt, ruled by a ruthless private foundation. In a bid for revenge, Bok Soo decides to re-enroll as a 28-year-old high school senior. His goal? To expose the school's hypocrisy and ruin the reputation of the man who framed him. But fate has a hilariously cruel sense of humor. His homeroom teacher? Son Soo Jung . The woman who betrayed him is now the authority figure standing between him and his diploma. Why the Title "My Strange Hero" Fits Perfectly The keyword "My Strange Hero" is not just a catchy title; it is the thesis of the show. Kang Bok Soo is a strange hero because he refuses to be a traditional protagonist. In most revenge dramas, the hero is cold, calculated, and emotionally dead. Think The Glory or Itaewon Class . Bok Soo, however, is a hot mess. He is impulsive, goofy, and wildly immature for his age. He throws textbooks at bullies, screams at teachers, and often ruins his own meticulous revenge plans by letting his heart get in the way. Yet, that is exactly what makes him heroic. Strange Hero Trait #1: He fights for the underdog. Even while trying to destroy the school, Bok Soo cannot stand by while current students are bullied. He becomes an accidental guardian angel. Strange Hero Trait #2: He is painfully honest. Unlike the manipulative anti-heroes we love, Bok Soo wears his emotions on his sleeve. His tears are real; his laughter is contagious. Strange Hero Trait #3: He loves despite the wound. The "strangest" part of him is that he never truly stopped loving Son Soo Jung, even when he had every reason to hate her. The Unforgettable Leads: Yoo Seung Ho and Jo Bo Ah A drama lives and dies by its chemistry, and My Strange Hero is a masterclass. Yoo Seung Ho as Kang Bok Soo: Known as the "Nation's Little Brother," Yoo Seung Ho delivers arguably one of his best performances. He oscillates between hilarious physical comedy (a 28-year-old struggling with a curfew) and gut-wrenching melodrama. Watch the scene where he confronts his past in the school hallway—without saying a word, his eyes convey nine years of pain, confusion, and lingering affection. Jo Bo Ah as Son Soo Jung: This role is a tightrope walk. Soo Jung is not a villain, but she is complicit. Jo Bo Ah plays her with layers of guilt and quiet desperation. She is a teacher trapped in a corrupt system who sold her soul for a job, and watching her realize that her "betrayal" was a mistake is the emotional core of the series. Her chemistry with Yoo Seung Ho is electric, especially in the "truce" episodes where they reluctantly start eating lunch together on the rooftop. Kwak Dong Yeon as Oh Se Ho: The secondary male lead and the real villain of the story, Oh Se Ho, is the friend who became the enemy. He loves Soo Jung, framed Bok Soo, and now runs the school foundation. Kwak Dong Yeon plays him with such tragic nuance that you almost (almost) feel sorry for him. He is a realistic antagonist—not a monster, just a coward who made one bad decision and never stopped. A Review of the Tropes: Subverting Expectations If you are tired of K-drama clichés, My Strange Hero offers a breath of fresh air.
The Love Triangle: Usually, the audience suffers through a second lead syndrome. Here, the show acknowledges that the second lead is a criminal. While you empathize with Oh Se Ho, you never root for him. The High School Bullying: Unlike other dramas that glamorize or aestheticize violence, My Strange Hero treats it with the gravity it deserves. The show points out that teachers often enable bullies to preserve school rankings. The "Noble Idiocy" Breakup: At one point, Soo Jung tries to push Bok Soo away "for his own good." Does he leave? No. He shows up at her apartment with fried chicken. Finally, a hero with logic.
The Subplots That Steal the Show While Bok Soo’s revenge is the engine, the supporting students make the heart beat. A motley crew of academic outcasts—a hacker, a martial artist, and a silent gamer—team up with Bok Soo to expose the school's illegal activities. Their camaraderie is reminiscent of a heist movie. Highlights include: My Strange Hero
A hilarious sequence where they try to hack the school server, only to be thwarted by a forgotten password. A touching scene where Bok Soo helps a bullied student realize that failing a test is not the end of the world. The final "exam" where they use a protest to dismantle the corrupt evaluation system.
Is It Worth Watching? (Final Verdict) Rating: 9/10 My Strange Hero is not for everyone if you hate melodrama or cringe comedy. However, if you love stories about redemption, second chances, and the messy reality of forgiveness , you will adore this. Pros:
✅ Phenomenal acting from the entire cast. ✅ A unique premise that blends school life with adult regrets. ✅ Excellent pacing (no major drag in the middle episodes, which is rare for 16-episode dramas). ✅ A satisfying ending that doesn't moralize—Bok Soo doesn't forgive everyone, and he doesn't have to. My Strange Hero (Korean: 복수가 돌아왔다) is a
Cons:
❌ The first two episodes are heavy on flashbacks, which can be disorienting. ❌ Some of the "high school" antics of a 28-year-old man strain plausibility (even for a drama). ❌ The villain's redemption arc feels slightly rushed in the finale.
Where to Watch and Streaming Guide If this article has convinced you to dive in, My Strange Hero is available for streaming on Viki and Kocowa (depending on your region). It is also sometimes found on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription. Search for the alternate titles if you get stuck: Revenge Is Back or Bok Soo’s Back . Conclusion: The Hero You Didn't Know You Needed In a world saturated with perfect, stoic, rich male leads, Kang Bok Soo stands out because he is strange . He cries. He fails. He makes foolish choices out of love. My Strange Hero teaches us that revenge is a dish best served with a side of laughter, tears, and a second chance at high school. It asks the question: If you could go back and fix the worst moment of your life, would you be brave enough to do it? For Bok Soo, the answer is a resounding, chaotic, beautiful "yes." If you haven't watched it yet, stop scrolling. Your new strange hero is waiting. Genre : Romantic Comedy, School, Drama
Keywords used: My Strange Hero, K-drama review, Yoo Seung Ho, Jo Bo Ah, revenge romance, best Korean dramas, hidden gem K-drama.
Here’s a short, interesting angle on the Korean drama "My Strange Hero" (also known as Revenge Is Back or Boksu Has Come Back ) that goes beyond the usual plot summary.