A Hidden Gem in the Action-Drama Genre
This drama is truly one in a million. From the gripping storyline to the intense action sequences and powerful soundtrack, Study Group delivers a thrilling experience that keeps you hooked from start to finish.STORYLINE
It’s a fresh and unique take on the typical school drama. Instead of focusing solely on academic struggles, Study Group turns high school into a battlefield where survival is just as important as passing exams. The mix of action, friendship, and determination makes every episode worth watching. With 16 episodes, the pacing is perfect—never too slow, never rushed—just enough to keep you at the edge of your seat.
CAST
The entire cast was perfectly chosen, from the main leads to the supporting characters. Their chemistry felt natural, making every interaction believable. The way they portrayed their characters brought the show to life, especially the main lead, whose performance was off the charts. The bond between the study group members felt real, making their victories and struggles even more impactful.
OST
The soundtrack in this drama was an absolute masterpiece. It fit the high-energy fight scenes and emotional moments perfectly, enhancing every scene. Whether it was a heart-pounding action sequence or a heartfelt moment between characters, the OST made it all hit harder. Definitely a playlist-worthy soundtrack!
OVERALL RATING
A solid 9.0/10—this drama is an underrated gem. In the long run, Study Group has all the makings of a classic, standing out among other high school dramas with its raw action and emotional depth. If you haven’t watched it yet, you’re seriously missing out!
Was this review helpful to you?
Overall enjoyable watch
First review so super shortEasy and fun to watch, very good story, beautifully choreographed fight scenes. The story was well paced and kept the viewer engaged. Hwang Min Hyun deserves an award for this role. I also enjoyed Ju Yoen U's acting.
Watch if you are looking for a good story, engaging characters and great fight scenes.
Was this review helpful to you?
everyone is giving a vibe
Study Group is a refreshing take on the high school drama genre, blending themes of education, friendship, and perseverance. Based on a popular webtoon, the series delivers a compelling story that centers on Gamin, a determined high school student who struggles academically but dreams of succeeding through the power of study groups. What sets this drama apart is its unique mix of intense action scenes and heartfelt character development.The narrative does an excellent job of showcasing the challenges students face in competitive academic environments, including bullying, societal pressure, and self-doubt. The camaraderie among the study group members is heartwarming and inspires viewers to value teamwork and resilience.
Visually, the drama captivates with its clean cinematography, dynamic fight sequences, and symbolic use of color. The performances of the cast are another highlight, with the lead actor delivering a relatable and emotionally nuanced portrayal of Gamin's journey.
While the drama occasionally leans into familiar tropes, its fresh execution and meaningful messages make it a standout. Whether you're a fan of school dramas or looking for an inspiring series with a mix of action and heart, Study Group is well worth your time.
Was this review helpful to you?
A really fun show to relax with after work/school
Not the best of the best Kdrama to exist, but if you want to just watch something that is fun, you should defo watch this. I would say the story is pretty predictable but regardless it's still was a good ride. Also, it's based on a webtoon so, the fights are gonna be unrealistic but who cares? In short, if u want to watch something highschool fight ish definitely give it a go, it's worth it. I really love the OSTs of this show too, sort of nostalgic for some reason, sort of like watching Naruto or smth, if u get what i mean.Was this review helpful to you?
Fight…? STUDY!!!
A student who wants to study among the chaotic and violent schoolmates makes a study group with the help of some new friends and a recently transferred teacher.Strengths:
- The plot itself is nothing unique, but the way it was portrayed made it a good watch.
- As someone who has read the webtoon, the adaptation was good. There were slight modifications to accommodate the live-action feel, but the best part was the highly dramatic scenes were kept as they are.
- The highlight of this drama is definitely the action sequences. Very nicely choreographed and shot.
- The music, especially the opening, is very addictive. The fights are very well equipped with a music score that elevates the scenes.
Weakness:
- Hong Min Ki's character felt underutilized. I wish they had kept his scenes as they were in the webtoon.
- The teacher, for the most part, was okay, but her words and action were inconsistent as the only adult figure among the team.
Overall, an energy-packed watch. Highly recommended if you want to watch something that came straight out of Webtoon.
Was this review helpful to you?
The Main Actor Is too Good
I recommend this drama for anyone that likes high school action seriesThis drama is everything I have always wanted in a high school series
And the main actor killed it like am giving this film a 1000000000000000000/10
They really killed this drama like I really love it the drama is dope and I can’t wait for the next episode to come out🥰❤️🔥
And a saying a very big thank you to the people that contributed to make this film am grateful 🥰👌for your wonderful work put together
Hwang Min Hyun thank you for this drama
We love you ❤️🔥😘
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Don't Miss Out This Quirky Gem!
FYI, 'Study Group' is a brand new K-drama revolving around school life and so on, which is adapted from a webtoon with the same name. A lot of people claim that it has similar vibes to 'Weak Hero Class 1', with the former being darker and leaning heavily on psychological issues (if you know what I mean), while the latter mixes a fair amount of mystery and comedy and action, which, undoubtedly, engages the watchers from the get go.The story tells us about Yoon Ga-min, an ordinary boy who wants to study so badly, but is only good in fighting. Despite facing numerous setbacks, Ga-min is very determined to set up a study group of his own and recruit students who have passions for studying (so that he can take inspiration from them). The chaotic band also includes the intelligent and cool-headed Kim Se-hyun, the adorable Choi Hee-won, the badass judo practitioner Lee Ji-woo, the tenacious Lee Jun, and of course Ga-min's homeroom teacher, Lee Han-kyung.
However, their journey is far from smooth as they have to confront numerous obstacles from opposing students and teachers, especially the respected son of the YB Group (a mafia organization, to be precise) Phi Han-wool, who is determined to make them as miserable as he can.
'Study Group' can be categorized as a very refreshing K-drama where the script is fleshed out in a quirky kind of way, instead of taking the usual route of a common K-drama. The dialogue between the characters is neither bland nor cheesy too, which makes watcher easier to relate with them. Academic stuffs and brawls aside, 'Study Group' also tackles the mundane social issues such as poverty (Kim Sun-cheol and his grandpa's arc is quite a heartbreaking one), the loss of a loved one (the scene where Ga-min's mother supports Ms. Lee after Ms. Jeong-hwa's funeral (Ms. Lee's teacher)), abusive parents (Se-hyun's jaded relationship with his father), and etc.
As a webtoon reader, I'd delved into its webtoon version before and surprisingly, the twists and turns are done right, by ending every episode in a cliffhanger so that the watchers becomes more addictive through the following weeks. Given it only has 10 episodes, I'm sure there's going to be another season of 'Study Group' as the stack gets higher for Ga-min and his comrades (for reference, check out the season 2 and 3 of the webtoon version).
The acting is wonderfully phenomenal especially Hwang Min-hyun's. I never imagine that he can pull off Ga-min's character seasmlessly, given his so-so performance in 'My Lovely Liar' (which I dropped after ep 4). I must also appreciate Min-hyun's mastery of martial arts in this series, because from what I see in the webtoon, Ga-min's uncle's forbidden tricks are very tricky to be performed. The rest of the casts do well too, though it'll be quite difficult for me to add every single name lol.
OSTs are average (I still prefer my super wild playlist of K-pop songs), while the cinematography, costumes, fighting scenes, and background settings give us a breath of refreshing air after a bunch of humdrum-like shows gliding through the past year.
Is it worth watching? A BIG YES!!! I'd recommend this show, especially for those who like action and thriller genre (this will increase your adrenaline rush, for sure). Time to end my review right now. Good bye and good luck in watching!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
The Ultimate High School Drama
This is hands down the best high school drama I have ever seen. The fighting scenes are some of the most intense and well-choreographed I have ever watched in a school setting. The acting is strong across the board, the plot is engaging, and the cast is absolutely stunning. There is not a single boring episode from start to finish.Hwang Min Hyun completely stole the show with his talent and charisma. I am already counting down the days for Season 2 because this feels like the beginning of something truly special.
This drama is a masterpiece and an absolute must-watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
This drama pulls no punches
What a gem of a show! It is totally non-PC and full of triggers. I would stay away from this show if you are sensitive to just about anything to do with bullying, swearing or unbridled antisocial behaviours. We haven’t even mentioned blood soaked fighting and torture scenes. You have been warned!Yes, this show is all about winning arguments with your fists. While the members of the study group are good kids, they are bullied and pushed around mercilessly by the school toughs. Of course, this means they have to push back at some point. This is when the fun begins.
To make this more palatable, most of the main characters are quite engaging. Yes, some are tropey like the studious boy who can't fight or the gifted fighter who can't study. It is the classic ying-yang team building which allows team members to complement each other.
They are an easy bunch to cheer on and you'll need to. The show is a challenging watch as you push through difficult scenes one after another. Life is not meant to be easy is an understatement here. There is so much ugliness. It would be so simple to take the easy way out and some did. To be honest, it is a school from hell.
In the face of all these adversities, the series still managed to inject a decent amount of humour and heart. We have to thank the ML for a good portion of it via his earnest deadpan delivery. It is a class act for a young actor. It is a pleasure to watch our study group grow closer and mature together.
While the show is totally in your face, I am fully engaged and happily hang on with white knuckles for the wild rides. Even a normal day can descend into utter chaos for our protagonist. It is a blast to watch the staged fights. They are gory but a little cartoon-y which lessen its impact. Some scenes are actually quite funny. It reminds me of the quirky Hong Kong style Kung Fu movies of yesteryears. Secret mantras and forbidden techniques rulez!!
The OST is loud, pumping and catchy. The production value is par for the course and suitably low rent when you consider the school is more like a slum than a centre of learning. Rewatch is subjective as this style of show is most impactful on first viewing. Your mileage will differ.
It is troubling that organised crime is endemic in this universe. Corruption is accepted as norm. Gangs control large corporations and play merry hell with people's lives. While our protagonist are changing their small corner of the world, the bigger picture remains largely unchallenged. Could there be a hint of a sequel? Bring it!l
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
My Favorite Action Thriller Ever
How could someone so bad at studying can be so persistent and good at protecting his people!The first thing that grabs your attention is Hwang Min Hyun’s bespectacled look; you might mistake him for a nerd. Only he is anything but that; quite proficient in martial arts, Yun Ga Min’s major shortfall is his inability to achieve good score. It’s not that he doesn’t try, everytime he gives it his absolute best and yet his marks won’t improve. Born to a genius father, Yun Ga Min has spent his entire lifetime standing in shadows. Even though his mother understands the same and doesn’t force him to study hard, Yun Ga Min finds it unacceptable that his hard efforts aren’t bearing any good outcome. With the single-minded goal of improving his scores to enter a college, Yun Ga Min joins Yusung Technical High School, the highest rated school in his city. Only the school is full of ragged thugs and bullies who follow Pi Han Ul, who is the top scorer and also a mafia lord’s son. What transpires is a tricky tale of achieving his end goals as Yun Ga Min forms a study group, so students could actually STUDY!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/02/21/study-group-series-review/
Was this review helpful to you?
made it on my favorite kdrama list!
I can recommend this kdrama to anyone who likes action, fighting scenes that aren't overly serious, friendship and overall a lighthearted kdrama. if you are bored you should check it out, even if action isn't your favorite genre, for me it was definitely worth it. I like that it's not similar to weak hero class since that one is darker and and shows way more violence - don't get me wrong tho I love whc as well!the acting was good, the effects made it funny, loved the humor in this too and the OST is a banger that's the only ost that I never skipped lmao. it was also refreshing to see that the ML can fight well from the start, in most bully related kdramas the ml either needs to learn it first or defend himself in other ways.
I would love a season two of this honestly!
Was this review helpful to you?
Never give up!!!!
This is the coolest school series I've seen in a long time. Far from romantic, it's a lot about friendship and not giving up.Especially about taking care of each other and your studies. The school in the series is not flawless, there are a lot of arguments and fights.
Between all the attempts to study, there are many well-coordinated battles against the bullies and gangs that exist. All the fights are very entertaining with their effects and how they are edited. In addition to all this, it is very comical and I have laughed a lot. I also see striking similarities with weak hero class 1. A real hit.
His goal from the very beginning is to form a study group because he wants to study together with several people because he has very low grades. Even though he studies a lot. In the meantime, he gets more friends to his group.
Well-made and entertaining. I recommend this if you see a lot of what happens at school. Good and modern music that is well-suited. Well-filled action with a lot of impact. Very worth seeing!!!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
