A most see if you like action and heart
I binged watched it in a day because I couldn't stop watching. Loved the action scenes, the characters and the cute story about this boy who was so bad in studying but great at something that could change so many things. The message was clear and you could be influenced easily.Bullying and hard times in school have always been existing and always will. But this story make you believe that anything is possible, even for a kid who easily could give up but didn't. Hopes and dreams is manifested in the story line in a intelligent way. I liked it a lot and would definitely watch a second season if they make one.
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The fight scenes are top-tier, and the pacing keeps you hooked. It’s rare to find a drama that’s this fun and exciting at the same time. A must-watch for anyone who loves action-packed high school dramas with a lot of laughs!
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This review may contain spoilers
Intro to resisting systemic corruption
Every strike Yun Ga Min lays against a variety of bullies is a cathartic release of power that we all wish we had to defend ourselves. The beat down scenes are very well set up in each situation. It's so funny how he accidentally became a martial arts savant on his path to do everything to boost his chances on finally getting good grades. The only muscle that is the most resistant to strengthening in the poor guy's body is his brain alas. He may not be smart, but he his heart and tenacity is inspiring to the people that he cultivates a supportive circle that inspires them to stand up to the corrupt school and bully system they are trapped in that also goes beyond it. It's also important to note that Yun Ga Min comes from a middle class background in comparison to his economically disadvantaged schoolmates. Their financial insecure status is a key point that is taken advantaged of by the rich kid Pi Han Ul who is a rotten apple fallen from the rotten violent rich businessman gangster tree.I like that teacher Lee acknowledges that violence is a legitimate self defense reaction to when the student is facing violent behavior and detective Na acknowledge the limitation to how much he's able to help them. Ms Lee has zero fighting skills and knew from the start her mentor was stabbed to death and she still went to this school and took a stabbing to protect her student from a murder charge and faced down many attempted murders. She went into her personal mission with eyes open to the danger. It does seem she healed from the stab wound really fast. It's also good that the Study Group doesn't just have Ga Min as the only protector, Ji U and to a lesser degree but better than Se Hyeon and Hui Won, though Se Hyeon is a pretty quick study, able to to swiftly follow both Ga Min and Ga Min's mom's direction to fight bullies. Se Hyeon might be an all rounder in brains and brawns with more training. Hui Won has potential as well, knocking down a bully american football tackle style. If there is a season two, it would be nice to see the group train up in all stats, both grades and fighting. Sun Cheol just wanting to study and his grandfather learning something new until he died are both very moving stories.
It's eye rolling that of Ga Min's mom, the director of the Tae Kwon Do association would be knocked out with a severe injury despite so many other characters getting worse hits and just shrugging it off. This was ultimately unnecessary as it didn't change Ga Min's character trajectory in anyway and she recovered just fine anyways. The drama leaves some dangling threads like Ga Min's master that his mom banned him from meeting anymore and possibly more to do with Han Ul's father and of course the kids who are only first and second years getting into college. I hope Sun Cheol who is already a senior gets into college as well. I hope this show gets another season to finish out the story.
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Unexpectedly good!
I enjoyed the show more than I thought I would. The story and the production-special effects will have you hooked. And the music will make your heart bumped up. It's 10 episodes only, I wished there was a second season. Also, a romantic interest would have been appreciated(not that is needed). The cast fit their roles nicely.Was this review helpful to you?
Good Enough
Korean Drama '' Study Group '' is an action, school drama.The story is pretty enjoyable, with loads of action scenes and well-choreographed fighting scenes. It also has an emotional aspect, with the friendship slowly blossoming between the members of the study group, as it grows and acquires new members. In addition, each student had an interesting background story that enhanced that emotional aspect.
On the other hand, the corruption of the school wasn't as smoothly handled as the comedy and the rest of the story, but it was entertaining nevertheless.
Finally, the performances were all enjoyable by everyone in the cast.
So, overall, eight out of ten.
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This brought back the magic of kdramas for me after a long drought
Its one of the best action comedies in asia. THE QUALITY OF THIS DRAMA IS ACTUALLY AT PAR WITH SOME OF THE BEST INTERNATIONAL CONTENT IN THIS GENRE. They have taken some extremely serious themes and made it light. Its easier to make a serious and gloomy drama but extremely difficult to turn these themes into a light, deep and humorous plot.The slow mo is quite deliberate and gives that Anime/webtoon effect to it which I love. Its suits action comedy.
Its a 10/10 in every way for me. The suspense, thrill and the chemistry of the students is on point.
1)The into song is great 🎶🎵
2) The male lead has exceeded my expectations in every way. I had little to no hopes but HE KILLED IT.
3) The pacing is perfect and the mysterious characters and their stories add to the thrill of this drama. Every character has the ability to suprise you !!
4) chemistry between the study group is 🔥amazing
5) The plot is light yet deep and covers many social issues from school violence to classism to parental abuse and everything under the sun.
6) The villains (and there are too many of them) have done a great job of making me cling to the screen.
Waiting for season 2!!
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Sweet but Psychos some want to study some want to fight
This show is one that is guaranteed to fulfil all your violent bloody needs for a long time to come.Ill start with the good, friendship, characters and contrast between the "Just want to study" and "fight for your life" gangseres recruiting paradise... Both evil and do called good characters had psycho charm vibes that captured part of my heart in some ways our male lead reminded me of Do Bong Soon almost as sweet and just as strong. Also the mom in this was lovely.
Oh will someone just let the boy form a study group and study.... I. also loved the way the main lead, stupid as he may have been cold see in to the other teens soules... I can see it in his eyes that he wants to study,,, so cute!
The less good and reason this got a 7,5 and not much more... Repetitiveness, lack of true plot and pacing that felt a bit off... Dare I say this could have been a 6 episode drama? or maybe just a movie as it had a bit to many filler moments.
But oh those sweet psychos almost make me want to up the score...
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A Visually Stylish but Shallow and Over-the-Top School Action Drama
I aim to keep my reviews short and spoiler-free, focusing on the key points to help you decide if a drama is worth your time. I dropped this show after six episodes, which is worth noting since I rarely drop shows.. Only when I feel like I'm wasting my time or can't get into it.The premise is intriguing, and the introduction sets up an intense and fast-paced story. However, the execution quickly leans too far into style over substance, prioritizing entertainment to the point where certain plot developments feel nonsensical. The over-the-top nature is both its biggest strength and greatest weakness, making for some visually striking moments while also making certain scenes feel ridiculous rather than impactful.
The action sequences are flashy and exaggerated, drawing clear inspiration from anime. While this approach works in some cases, the transition to live-action makes it feel awkward at times. The series leans heavily into extreme violence, sometimes bordering on glorification, which can feel out of place in a high school setting. The lack of depth in character development and scenes that seem to happen without proper build-up further weaken the storytelling.
The production quality is undeniably high, with impressive cinematography and a fitting OST, but the writing often feels immature, relying on dramatic but shallow conflicts. The attempt to add emotional weight through certain characters is promising, but these moments are overshadowed by the show’s tendency to prioritize spectacle over substance.
As the series progresses, the logic behind character actions becomes increasingly frustrating, with unrealistic setups and exaggerated stakes that make it difficult to stay immersed. While some may enjoy it for the fun, high-energy fight sequences, the overall experience lacks the depth and coherence needed to fully engage. If you're looking for a school action drama with real emotional impact, this may not be the best choice.
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The fight in the Last ep was breathe taking!!!!
Omg I didn't expect it to be this good like have u seen the cast and the ost???? Like hello to amazing need more drama like this 😭😭 highly recommended 🙏🙏 u won't regrets and I personally really liked the story itself too good to be real and when I realised the ost is sung by Zerobase1 I was shock like really!!!!!😭😭😭😭😭And the most important part the ACTING???!!!!!;;;;
Too good 💯
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Study Group, a series that teaches fighting techniques.......
OMG!!!! Such a good series. The characters, acting, story, special effects, ost, pretty female character who are strong, handsome male characters (villains included) just everything is soooo amazing. Ga-min's dedication for everything he does, Ms. Lee's kindness for her students, Se-Hyeon's endurance towards the life problems, Ji-u's strength to fight, Jun's spirit to never give up, Hui-won's love for her friends in Pi Han-Ul's kingdom wins!!!The story is great, acting is great, the entry scenes for the villains as well as study group members is great, fight scenes are just WOAH! with the extra dramatic effects for them........ chief's kiss!!!
Light hearted Drama worth a try!!
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a perfect blend of action, comical relief and acting
When I heard about this show it wasn’t on my priority list but I decided to give it a go and damn how pleased I am with my decision. Study group was everything I wanted it to be- I loved the cast, the action scenes, the ost (still gives me chills), the comical relief and specially the directing and the fact the stunts were actually done by the male lead himself legit made me such a huge fan!After watching two eps I also decided to start the webtoon and to see the adaptation being so true to webtoon made me so so happy (tho there’s one arc which I wanted so badly and they didn’t add so that’s the only thing I’m sad about) but overall I had so much fun with this show. the action scenes might seem over the top in some scenes but since I’ve read the webtoon I know that’s how it’s meant to be because it’s over exaggerated in the webtoon too haha.
I can’t wait for s2 and this was truly one of the best show I’ve seen so far. 10/10.
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A STUDY GROUP WITH A TWIST
If you think “Study Group” is just a bunch of kids sitting in a circle, reviewing math formulas, and helping each other with homework, oh boy, are you in for a surprise. This K-drama is less about solving equations and more about solving problems with fists. It takes everything you know about school dramas, cranks up the intensity, throws in some epic fight scenes, and somehow still makes you root for a group of students who just want to pass their exams without getting knocked out.Our main guy, Yoon Ga Min (played by Hwang Min Hyun), is a student with big dreams and an even bigger talent for surviving in a school that should honestly be shut down by now. He goes to Yusung Technical High School, which, despite having "school" in its name, feels more like a training ground for future gangsters. Teachers don’t teach, students don’t study, and instead of homework, you’re more likely to get a black eye. But Ga Min? He still dares to dream. He wants to get into a top university, and instead of running away from the chaos, he decides to form a study group—because, you know, why not try to bring education to a place that actively rejects it?
Now, you’d think forming a study group would be a harmless little extracurricular activity, right? Wrong. In Yusung High, trying to study is practically a crime. The school is controlled by violent bullies who treat every hallway like their personal wrestling ring, and they’re not exactly thrilled about Ga Min’s sudden desire to hit the books instead of people. Unfortunately for them, Ga Min is ridiculously good at fighting. Like, if there were an Olympic event for street brawling, he’d take home gold. He’s quiet, determined, and can take a beating like it’s just part of his daily routine. Instead of backing down, he fights back (literally), and what follows is an absolutely wild mix of brutal action, hilarious moments, and genuinely inspiring underdog energy.
And let’s talk about the characters, because this show has some of the best ones in recent K-drama history. Ga Min is the perfect protagonist—he’s serious but not emotionless, smart but not perfect, and somehow manages to make getting punched in the face look cool. Then there’s Lee Han Kyung (played by Han Ji Eun), one of the only teachers in this school who actually cares. Instead of looking the other way like the rest of the staff, she jumps right into the chaos, often risking way too much for her students. There are times when even the kids are like, “Miss, are you sure you want to be doing this?” but she’s too stubborn to quit.
Then there’s Kim Se Hyun (played by Lee Jong Hyun), Ga Min’s right-hand man and the classic “I didn’t sign up for this but I guess I’m here now” character. He’s the perfect mix of comic relief and loyal best friend, always questioning Ga Min’s questionable decisions but somehow sticking around anyway. And let’s not forget the villains, because wow, this show has some next-level bullies. These guys aren’t just stealing lunch money—they’re running full-blown criminal enterprises within school walls. Some of them are so over-the-top evil that you’ll start wondering if they were born in a fight scene. Every time Ga Min takes one down, another, even scarier one pops up, and the stakes just keep getting higher.
But what makes “Study Group” so special is that it never takes itself too seriously. Yes, the fights are intense. Yes, the stakes are high. But the show also knows exactly when to throw in humor, making sure it never feels too heavy. There are scenes where Ga Min is literally fighting for his life one minute, and the next, he’s awkwardly trying to study, looking like he regrets all his life choices. The contrast between the brutal action and the moments of pure comedy is what makes this drama so addictive.
And now, let’s talk about the ending, because there is no way this story is over. No spoilers, but let’s just say they left the door wide open for a second season. There are too many unresolved storylines, too many characters we need more of, and too much action left to see. If we don’t get a Season 2, I might have to personally start a petition because there’s no way I’m accepting this as the end.
So, should you watch “Study Group”? Absolutely. Whether you’re here for the action, the comedy, the underdog story, or just to see a group of students try (and mostly fail) to have a normal school life, this drama has something for everyone. It’s fast-paced, exciting, hilarious, and genuinely inspiring, proving that even in the toughest situations, you can still chase your dreams—as long as you’re ready to dodge a few punches along the way.
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