This review may contain spoilers
Life's fair.... if treated fair as well.
School is meant for studying, but not all students find joy in it. So what could be better than studying? Fighting? I doubt violence is ever a solution in life. 🤔📚But in Study Group, that’s exactly what it shows. In Yuseong Technical High School, it feels like a place that raises gangsters, controlled by a student feared like a monster. Until the recent addition — the so-called dumbest student in school — dared to form a group where students study to enter college… and fight against that injustice. 👊🔥
This Korean drama raised my adrenaline after such a long time. I thought it would be boring at first, but I truly appreciated the friendship and bond that grew between the characters and their drive to reach their goal. The action stunts were stunning and kept me excited all throughout. ⚡🎬
The characters may look ordinary, but I like that each of them was given the chance to tell their own story. 🌟
Except the villain. His face was never scary, but he was intimidating — and that’s because of the actor portraying him. It ws a sublt eyet great portrayal. Still, I felt a bit sad that his character wasn’t explored much. Even though he was a villain, I was hoping to see the reasons behind his actions, especially since there were a few moments near the finale that showed remorse. 🥺
Hwang Min Hyun was amazing as the lead, and likewise, Han Ji Eun was beautiful in her feisty role as a teacher. 👏✨ I also loved discovering new favorites — Choi Woo Min as the capable villain and Hong Min Ki, who was compelling despite having only a few scenes. 💫
I was so ecstatic during the finale episode because I read that there will be a season two, and I truly can’t wait. I wonder who will be Han Wool’s successor. 😭🔥
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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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very very good
i honestly don't have any negative criticisms to make, only that the story could have had more minutes and episodes, charismatic characters, performances in the right measure, and i've always liked martial arts, even the comedy i thought was in the right measure, some people felt uncomfortable with the absurd fights, but that was the proposal, like the cdramas from china, or even the anime characters, best kdrama of the beginning of 2025 for sure now is to wait for weak hero 2.was a pleasant surprise.
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If Goku actually tried to study.
The fights are fantastic. That's what you're here for. While there are many examples of better-choreographed fighting, and some might find the over exaggeration a bit much, what's here is undeniably fun and entertaining. Once you accept that it's not meant to be realistic, you're in for a good time. I mean you can't take it seriously the moment you see someone casually get punched through a wall.It's not just the main character who shines in the cool fights; the other members of the study group also have their own standout moments to spice up the action. Additionally, the various "boss" type characters help keep things fresh.
While the fighting is undoubtedly the highlight of this show, the story and its characters are equally compelling. Ga-Min's relentless drive to study and get into college creates a narrative that is both heartwarming and funny. Additionally, the members of his study group each have their own backstories that aren't too shabby either.
The soundtrack is outstanding. The opening song is an absolute banger.
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THE PERFECT MANHWA ADAPTATION TO AN ACTION SOTRY PLUS TOP NOTCH ACTING
Where do I even start?This is hands down the best series I’ve watched in the past few years—I’m not exaggerating.
From start to finish, this story was amazing. The introduction of the characters was well-paced; it never felt too slow for the story’s development, nor too rushed. Everything was executed with just the right balance of humour and deep emotions. At one moment, you find yourself relating to Gamin, and the next, you’re thinking, I wish I had that resilience when I was in high school. Although the series is centered around a study group, studying isn’t even 80% of the story—it’s really about their fight to be taken seriously and continue towards their dreams. The battle to keep the study group going might sound ridiculous, but within the context of the story and characters, it makes perfect sense. There are plenty of fight scenes, and I loved how each one introduced a progressively stronger opponent, making every battle feel like a level-up challenge. It kept the tension and excitement alive throughout, and I am an action girly - I love me cheesy boys fighting against evil 😈
I haven’t read the manhwa so I can't comment on that, but watching this felt like I was reading it—the production captured the essence of an animated story brought to life. It wasn’t cheesy at all; instead, it struck a great balance between power-driven action and fun storytelling. This series easily ranks among my all-time favorites, and I highly recommend it. I can’t wait for season two!
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RECOMEND 100000%
People might think I'm overreacting, but hopefully, there aren't any causes for that, as they would know how awesome this series is. I would recommend this to anyone who is new to K-dramas or dramas in general. I love how they did an amazing job connecting the webtoon and the drama itself. This show gives off such a great vibe, and it's also very funny, which just brightens my mood. I love everything about this series. I recommend it to anyone, though maybe not for those under 15 😂 (it's not that explicit, anyway).Was this review helpful to you?



