This review may contain spoilers
cit. "What if our efforts didn't change anything?"
All this gratuitous violence inflicted on people who don't deserve it is disgusting! Going to school must be a nightmare for many students! Bully bastards are a really fucking problem of today's society.The message I can read inside this series is that the winner is the one who hits the hardest and that with kindness you can only get away with it, which is not exactly a good thing.
The fact that this guy and his teacher want to change the situation and rehabilitate the school is a good thing but the plot is poor.
This guy wants only to study and he would fight a lot to succeed.
He seems like a genius and then takes a lot of beatings. One of the scenes that made me furious is when this "hero" is on the roof of a building, finds the door locked and starts slowly analyze the situation while his classmates are brutally beaten (hurry up and get your mates to open the door for you!), unrealistic fight scenes, lines like "let's go study" when he's speaking with an half dead guy after fighting?
I dropped out for several months
Finally I decided to watch the last 2 episodes.
Dreams and hopes against money and contacts. What will win?
Throughout this journey, with no police (just a detective), the bad guys never get hurt while the good guys get slaughtered. It makes me nervous. Especially if you think that with just one shot you could kill or knock a person down. Here they get stabbed before reacting and the next day they are back on the loose. How is it possible?
Then when one of the bad guys shoots his gun in the library, the ammunition seems endless. Fists and blows that go through the walls.
Pure fantasy, when the rest would have been quite real.
Final... The only culprit seems to be the gang leader and all the others not even investigated?
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More like superheroes
June 2025An academically challenged student, meets his old tutor now teaching at his school, and decides to set up a Study Group. The biggest challenge isn't his lack of an academic brain though, but the fact his school is better known for fighting, with rankings amongst students for that, and not test results.
Added to the mix is a bullying hierarchy, run by a vile, obnoxious student with a powerful father.
This drama somehow manages to balance a lot of violence, with humour, the warmth of growing friendships, and characters changing the course of their lives.
It's incredibly infuriating at times, for all the usual reasons, and is totally OTT and fantastical, in terms of the fight scenes, and just what goes on in the school.
Aspects reminded me of Class of Lies.
Hwang Min-hyun makes a perfectly believable high schooler. He does seem to be a casting favourite for characters that are reserved, thoughtful, sometimes awkward, yet strong, resilient and loyal.
Considering just how violent this is, it surprised me that there's still a significant feel-good element to it. A biggish surprise, sadness, hurt, anger, all the emotions associated with the subject matter, this story has it all.
The fact it was often so outrageous is possibly what enabled me to not be turned off by the bullying. More true-to-life and I would have dropped it, I think. It's what puts me off trying Weak Hero.
This borders on superhero territory though, with what characters are able to withstand. Female characters are tough and reslient, too. One in particular goes through a subtly amusing transformation.
It had me glued and I found it surprisingly entertaining. I'd have liked more on the outcome around awful characters, Pi Han-ui and Ma Min-hwan, but it seems there might be a S2.
The character I most wanted to see messed up?... Ma Min Hwan (played by Baek Seo Hoo). Very charismatic ~ more so than Pi Han-ui, I thought, but a complete psycho. The fact his bright, smiling appearance, was totally out of synch with his cruel nature, made him scarier.
Actor Yoo In-soo was reunited with Hwang Min-hyun, but back in a thug/delinquent role again. I prefer the different side seen to his acting, in Alchemy of Souls (he was bleach-blond Park Dang-gu). I hope he gets more options to play personalities like that character had.
Prrhaps there's a message in this drama somewhere, but if there is, it's pretty much drowned out by the often gruesome fighting.
The OST was OK, but I was not keen on the main song, Backpacker, which I personally found too repetitive.
I'd be happy to watch this again.
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This review may contain spoilers
He Looks Weak. He Fights Like a Storm. He Teaches Like a Father.
The main character speaks softly — carefully articulated words, low intonation, and always few in number. His eyes often glisten with emotion. His face looks gentle and harmless, almost like a "baby face." He wears glasses and doesn't look like a fighter at all. His academic performance is terrible.And yet — he kicks a metal door so hard it leaves a shoe print. He dodges punches without even looking. A single close-range punch knocks out his enemies. He grabs someone's collar and throws them across the room. His hits can break walls. He jumps from the third floor without hesitation. Even a flick to someone's forehead sends them flying.
Props to the fight choreographer — absolutely top-notch.
Wait — don’t stop me yet.
There are moments in this show that truly moved me. We are shown a raw depiction of society: financial struggles, students who think working right after high school is more realistic than college, injustice, unchecked power, and broken systems.
The MC is the kind of friend who never gives up on others. He guides them not with cheesy lines, but with quiet persistence — like an old soul. He protects his friends from a distance, steps in only when necessary, but is always nearby.
This is how an MC should be — someone who always finds a way to stand against injustice, even if it means using clever, sometimes unorthodox methods.
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Great concept, fierce fights… Althgout some logic took a permanent vacation.
A High‑School Action-Drama That Kicks Hard—but Sometimes Stops to Explain Algebra✨ THE GOOD:
Diamond-level premise – Mercenary-in-training meets academic grind. Students fighting for grades? Genius twist on high school drama.
Hwang Min‑hyun as Ga‑min – Awkward nerd turned reluctant brawler who still cares about college scores. Vulnerable, powerful—anti-hero perfection.
Cinematic action for days – Fight scenes crisp and epic enough to rival Weak Hero or The Glory. Nunchaku + textbooks = a vibe.
Tight ensemble energy – The Study Group feels like an unbreakable squad. Quirks, loyalty, humor—this crew is the emotional core.
🧠 THE “WHAT’S WITH THIS PLOT?” MOMENTS:
Plot logic takes coffee breaks... often. Villains roll in like YouTube ads, then vanish when you’re not looking.
Underused side characters—some got zero character arcs; screen time wasted.
Occasional tonal jagging—shifts from comedy to gore with no seatbelt announcement.
😂 FAN REACTIONS (because Reddit never lies):
“Every episode is good… it’s funny, crazy, and great acting”
“It feels like a webtoon or manga… brilliant execution”
🎯 THE “WHY IT STILL WORKS” FACTOR:
Zero filler—every minute counts in this 10‑episode sprint.
Action-comedy balance: funny one second, hyped the next. Fans saw it as “instant hype” therapy.
Song “Backpacker” OST is earworm-level addictive. Watch it just for that soundtrack.
⚖️ VERDICT:
“Like ordering ramen with extra fire—you chew every scene, you burn on the edge, but damn if it doesn’t slap.”
Watch if: You want adrenaline-school drama, friendship, clean action, and don’t mind skipping some brain cells.
Skip if: You hate bad guys who disappear mid-episode or school dramas where algebra comes with a punch.
Best paired with: 🎧 “Backpacker” on loop, fight playlist, and zero expectations for logic continuity.
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Need season two ASAP
I LOVED THIS!! This was such a fun watch! The action scenes were so anime like which was really fun! It was done so well and saw the cast did a lot of it themselves, so major props there! The characters were all really enjoyable to watch too.The music was peak. Between backpackers and hood, they just have the best soundtrack.
Loved seeing Cha Woo-min & Hwang Min-hyun in this as well!! Can't wait for season 2!
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Well Balanced Story
"Study Group tells the story of Yoon Ga-min, who is only talented in fighting, trying to study hard to achieve his goal of entering university by forming a study group in the notorious Yusung Technical High School."If you enjoy stories about...
◇Heart
◇Action
◇Comedy
◇Friendships
◇Coming of age
◇HEA for the main cast
◇Well balanced genres
◇Overcoming obstacles
◇Justice served by the end
I recommend looking into this 10 episode Korean Drama.
⚠️Possible Trigger Warnings ⚠️
○Bullying
○Harrasment
○Violence and gore
○Strong Language
○Alcohol, drug, and smoking
#kdrama #스터디그룹 #comingofage #teen drama #comedy #tving #studygroup #HwangMinhyun #HanJieun #ShinSuhyun #koreandramas
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This review may contain spoilers
THIS IS SOTY ( SHOW OF THE YEAR )
this show seriously need s2 because as someone who lazy to read the webtoon, i really want to know more about their story since most people said that their story is so much more to be told. i want to see more about gamin's achievement at time ahead.Also, the ending. the ending make my curiosity bigger and bigger each day. i wanted to know what happened to geon yeop after that particular incident. will he revenge? ah i can't help but curious. Apart from that, i also wanted to know what hanwool's dad gonna do when his son end up into the juvenile.
this show seriously need more episodes than just 10 🙏🏻
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yes yes ..but also kind comme ci comme ca
this series started so well. the first episodes were funny, engaging and i was really excited to move to the next episode.around episode 6 I started to feel a bit of fatigue. don't get me wrong , the fight scene are really awesome but at the very end , especially the last 2 episode, I started skipping a lot.
beside the main goal of the study group and the fight scene there is not really that much left.
I know it's only ten episodes but we don't really get that much depth around the protagonists. also the evil corporation sounds a bit cartoonish..
It was funny, but I would have liked a bit more development. especially around the main character.
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Anime and Jdrama-coded
The Male Lead is overpowered, and the characters are one-dimensional. But it never takes away from the fun of it. Quite the contrary, these work in favour of the drama.The story is nothing unique. It's quite conventional and can be found in plenty of J-dramas. But it is how the drama is executed, the chemistry between characters and the actors managed to pull their character off. For example, how Jioo stands in front of Hee Won whenever a fight breaks off. All the characters are charming and quirky in their own sort of way. Just as Yun Ga Min puts to his mother, even his mother's an interesting character, and I wouldn't mind watching a spin-off about her. They have each other's backs, and their bond is heartwarming. Even the side characters with their bond made me coo. Every character is just so colourful and vivid.
The only reason I took a point off 'acting' is because I felt Minhyun was a tad bit stiff. I am not someone who knows much about acting, and he could've easily passed for a badass goofball. The problem arose in close-ups before any fight broke out. Otherwise, I don't think his acting was bad. That said, he was excellent in action scenes. His movements were smooth like a dancer's. The same goes for all the actors here. Their action scenes were chef's kiss.
I also like how the fights are shot. It was also SOOO well choreographed. They look so anime-esque (Dragon Ball Z, anyone?). The OST just adds to the vibe of the whole show. I twerk whenever the OST is on. Makes me want to jump through the screen and fight alongside (but ofc I'm gonna wipe the floor).
While certainly I do mind the redemption of certain characters, i.e., how their deeds are conveniently forgotten, but I still rooted for them. It does feel as if Study Group 2 they are going to redeem Hanul's character (let me guess, he did all of it because daddy issues). Apart from the convenient plot lines, I do mind this specific thing.
The key to watching this drama is to turn off your brain and just immerse yourself in it. Just go with it.
If you are a pedantic person, you won't like it. If you are in a bad mood, you won't like it.
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A webtoon coded drama
I will start this review by saying that if you do not appreciate webtoons or unrealistic stories, you will not be able to enjoy this one. In fact, it sould have a fantasy tag, because I was caught completely out of guard. The show is short and it is pretty obvious that it will have a second season, since it is based on an ongoing webtoon. I thought it was going to be a PG 13 Weak Hero Class, and I did not miss the the target completely.Honestly, for my taste, it was a little bit uninteresting. I have seen some comments saying that this is a show for kids/teenagers, and I totally agree with that. It is very shonen-anime-like.
The conflicts seem a bit silly, all of the villains are teenagers and all of the adults are useless, being there only to be saved by teenagers as well. I enjoyed the realistic part of fightinhg coreography, making me appreciate the side characters fighting styles, but ML's superhuman strength was a deal breaker for me.
The main group is fun and have a good chemistry, but the main character seems too innocent sometimes. I actually read the first few episodes of the webtoon after starting the show and it appears that Ga Min had some changes in his personality for the drama. He is a little cynical and more aware of his surroundings in the original material, which seems more interesting to me.
In conclusion, it is a short watch, but if you do not enjoy this genre, you probably will not be able to take it seriously (like I did a lot of times).
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Never thought a drama about students could be this fun!
The story is fun and well executed. The drama is entertaining, the music is good and the action is gripping. I argued if I have to watch this drama. Normaly a drama of students or high schoolers aren´t my forte. But everyone said, this is one of the best Kdrama of this year, so I thought I give it a shoot. It´s surprisingly realy realy good!Was this review helpful to you?
Basically a cartoon. The acting is not "for real" as nobody gets hurt after heavy violence
The main hillarious thing in this kdrama is that the ML is a very serious bookworm and a good kid... and he is in environments where good students are rarity and everyone gets beaten.. The hillarious part is how his friends are versus the entire school... And the brutal reality is that his friends are so frail and so incompetent - the girl with the hair bow is a prime example..The brutal reality is that the society and most parents threw their kids under the bus and are NOT helping to make school more safe...
The brutal reality of social norms today is that NOBODY NOBODY NOBODY could protect school kids from bullies - because nobody wants to protect kids from bullies!!!!! ADULTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ... they all just look the other way.
So yeah the BASIC PREMISE of this kdrama is a grave societal issue...
The most of the content of this kdrama is just menanigess fights.
AND MAGICALLY, they all get up and are just fine, although 1 minute ago they had blood all over their face and body, fallen knees, were kicked in the ribs, head, torso, etc.
The message is WE DONT FIGHT but also the message is YOU MUST FIGHT TO SELF DEFEND
and the fighting is glorified. The audience wants to see blood and broken bones and then pooof! magically.. NONE of the beaten ppl have any consequences. wow bologney. Possible only in cartoons
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