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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Not My Style, But Has Good Moments
My 4 categories are Acting/Cast, Writing, Direction/SFX/Music, Entertainment Value.I don’t think I’m the targeted demographic for this drama. It seems to be more suited for teen boys. I watched it anyway.
Acting/Cast: I like the cast. This drama does have some good characters. There wasn’t enough time to really develop any of them though. The male lead was probably the worst along with the main villain. The male lead is that stoic type that I can’t stand, but I’ve seen worse...he did have a hint of personality. The main villain is scary but not developed at all. It really ruined that aspect of the story for me. My favorite character was Strawberry/Lee Jun. He was fun. I liked the student with the white hair, too. He was probably one of the more developed characters, which is sad because he’s hardly even in the drama. 7/10
Writing: This drama has a good start - the humor, the action scenes, the dilemmas that they had to overcome. Even though the plot is kind of dumb (kids that want to study but can’t because...I don’t really know why), I was still entertained. However, once the male lead stops pretending to be oblivious or whatever was going on with him, the drama becomes focused on fight scenes. When I think that the story is going to get some more development, it doesn’t...it just turns into another fight scene. I got bored. This drama does have some good quotes though. I like what the old man in the hospital said about why he continues to study - "When I stop learning, that’s when my life stops.” I could relate. This drama has a positive message about the importance of education, which I appreciated. I also like how violence wasn’t treated as being evil, but necessary for self-defense and to protect others. 4/10
Direction/SFX/Music: This drama is basically a live action anime, so it’s very crazy. It’s production value looks high. The SFX is well done. The soundtrack is memorable and fit the vibe of the drama well (although not my style). The injuries and blood looked good. 7.5/10
Entertainment Value: The first half of the drama seemed promising. It felt like it was going in a good direction where we’d get a developed story and characters. I’m not going to lie though...even then I wasn’t too interested in continuing to watch this drama. Like I said, I’m not the demographic and I don’t like anime. Also, the stoic male lead trope is not my thing. I stuck with it though, which rewarded me with some characters that I did end up liking. The story line with the old man in the hospital was nice, too. Those things got me through the drama. I was bored with all the anime fighting though. Don't get me wrong - I normally love action and well done action choreography...just not this type of action.4/10
Overall, I gave this drama a 5.5/10. There just isn’t enough story for me and not nearly enough character development. I would recommend this drama to those who enjoy anime style fight scenes. That’s about it.
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Great unique story line
high-energy K-drama packed with thrilling action and intense fight scenes that are both stylish and gritty. The choreography is top-notch, delivering punch after punch of excitement that keeps you on edge. The story cleverly balances school life with raw street fights, creating a unique blend of drama and adrenaline. The main cast shines with solid performances, especially during emotionally charged moments. However, I did wish the villains were explored more deeply — their motivations felt underdeveloped at times. Still, it’s an electrifying ride that fans of action-packed dramas definitely shouldn't miss. A gripping and fun watch!Was this review helpful to you?
Webtoon come to life
I haven’t read the webtoon, but I can tell you that this drama really captures the essence of action comics — the fight sequences are full of wild moves and crazy camera angles, and the music is so energetic that I always felt myself buzzing with adrenaline afterwards.Even though the show tackles bullying and the educational system, it approaches it in a more satirical way. The antagonists were moustache-twirling type of villains, and I never really doubted that we would have a happy ending, unlike something like Weak Hero Class 1, which tackles similar topics but with a more serious, quiet, and depressing tone that I typically enjoy more, especially to give me the feeling of high stakes.
Despite that, I enjoyed this as a no-brain watch, and it helps that the cast really sells the friendship theme.
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Study Group – A promising start with room to grow
The story of this K-drama Study Group really surprised me. I was expecting something that, like many dramas of this genre, would be less emotional. But the friendships that developed throughout the story truly caught me off guard and made me really happy.All the emotions I felt while watching this drama are basically the same ones I feel when watching a comfort drama, so in that sense, I’m very satisfied. However, I still feel a bit disappointed by the emptiness of this drama.
I might sound silly saying this, but I’m rooting for the next season(s) to be better than this one. I think the choice of having 10 episodes for the first season is reasonable. It seems like this season mainly aimed to introduce the Study Group, so I really hope that the second season has more episodes and that the plot doesn't get completely changed—like many dramas tend to do in later seasons.
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The music is so good
Pretty much what you can expect from a school drama adapted from a webtoon. OP main character. Rag tag team of students who grow to trust one another. Teacher who doesn't give up on her students. Although I felt like the teacher's role was a little weak. But if you want to watch an unstoppable main character who rids the school of its oppressor, this is an easy to watch option.Was this review helpful to you?
AN UNTOLD STORY OF THE STUDY GANG
Study Group" is a webtoon adaptation of the same title. While I’m not typically a fan of bullying dramas, this one stood out because it featured the protagonist frequently getting the better of the antagonist.
Positives:
Great Casting: The actors did an exceptional job, and the chemistry among the characters was evident. The visuals were top tier, and I believe the OST was good too.
Intriguing Backstories: I loved how the backstories were initiated and told. Each story had its unique way of adding spice to each episode, and I was always looking forward to them.
Perfect Character Development: The character development was well-executed, making the drama more exciting to watch.
You'd think you'd had so much fun with one episode, but the next episode would leave you with a new type of excitement! However, I didn't like the fact that Hong Min Gi had little screen time.
Negatives:
HanUI's Character: Let's talk about HanUI,I doubt if he can be saved or if he even wants to be saved. His character was so chilled and cool too.
Final Fight Scene: I didn't like the last fight between GaMin and HanUI. It was too basic compared to the initial fights from previous episodes and had way too many cartoon effects, making it look unrealistic (even though I know it's a webtoon).
In conclusion, Study Group was an exceptional drama overall, with a great cast and a beautiful storyline.
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A Wild, Wacky Romp
STUDY GROUP, based on a webtoon, is fun, exuberant entertainment. Lots of laughs and surprises interspersed with cartoonish, implausible violence. A parade of horribles get their come-uppance from the unlikely, but likeable, study group members.The theme here is very similar to that of WEAK HERO, CLASS I, which has a certain depth and nuance STUDY GROUP lacks. In both series, the ML looks and acts like a wuss, someone who’s a natural target for bullies. The bullies are quick to notice, of course. Big mistake though, because each of these dudes is an incredibly talented and well-trained fighter–whose only goal is to stay out of trouble, get good grades, and go to college.
That’s where the similarity ends. In WEAK HERO, CLASS I, the ML is a superior student who aces all his exams and ranks at the top of the class. Not so with Yoon Ga-Min, the ML in STUDY GROUP. No matter how hard he studies he just can’t seem to get his brain in gear, and he’s ranked at the bottom.
But he has a plan. No spoiler here; the plan is divulged in the first moments of the first episode.
Wild and crazy action ensues. I’m easily bored, but not a moment drags – in either series. I’m guessing you’ll like them both.
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Highly recommended watch
One of the best KDramas this year. If you have the time, you might want to binge-watch this. However, and without giving any spoilers, the protagonist has fallen into super-power stuff in the last episode, which personally I don't think it matched the series and kinda ruined it all. How about some really sick but realistic moves? Was that too hard? Seems to me the ending was rushed to get the job done without any further considerations, that's all. Other than this, everything else is just fine. Highly recommended.Was this review helpful to you?
The story centers on Yoon Ga-min, a quiet, hardworking student at a school known more for fights than academics. Despite his surroundings, he dreams of getting into a top university — a goal that feels nearly impossible. But when violence and corruption threaten his friends, Ga-min learns that sometimes studying isn’t enough; you have to fight for the right to dream.
Hwang Min-hyun delivers an outstanding performance, portraying Ga-min’s resilience with quiet strength and sincerity. His journey from timid to fearless feels organic and deeply satisfying. The supporting cast adds color and realism — each character, from fellow students to teachers, represents a piece of what it means to grow up in a broken system.
The fight scenes are impeccably choreographed — intense yet grounded, balancing adrenaline with emotion. But what truly elevates “Study Group” is its heart. It doesn’t glorify violence; it exposes it, showing how hope and perseverance can be the ultimate form of rebellion.
The cinematography is dynamic, the pacing sharp, and the soundtrack perfectly amplifies the drama’s tension and triumph.
In the end, “Study Group” is about more than exams or fights — it’s about believing in yourself when no one else does. A raw, powerful, and deeply human story that proves determination can be its own kind of strength.
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10/10 story with 1000000/10 cast!!
This was smtg refreshing!! I wont call the story entirely new but it was like an escape from all the regular highschool romance!! The friendship of the little study group peaked!!!! I know a lot of reviews contain info about the story and the ost but can we take a moment to talk about the villain?????????????? Pi han ul rocked me to the core!!! He was sooooo awesomee and facecard never denies!!!!!!!!! Everytime he was on the screen i did ntg but scream!!!!!! He's sooooo handsome and his role is sooooo cool!!Was this review helpful to you?
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