This review may contain spoilers
A Brutal, Brilliant Clash of Brains and Brawls
If you’ve ever judged a K-drama by its title, Study Group might sound like a slice-of-life school romance with a few emotional lessons sprinkled in. But let me stop you right there—this isn’t a drama about flashcards and midterms.
This is a visceral, high-stakes action drama disguised as an academic pursuit, and it’s one of the most underrated action dramas of 2025.
The fight choreography in Study Group is not just good—it’s cinematic, grounded, and brutal. Every punch lands with weight. Every fight scene is emotionally charged. Whether it’s Ga-min standing alone in a hallway against five attackers or an all-out brawl in a classroom, the action isn’t just about violence—it’s storytelling in motion.
Despite the intense action, Study Group has heart. At its core, it’s about agency, transformation, and defying labels. Ga-min doesn’t want to be the guy people fear—he wants change, and he wants to lift others up with him. That goal is never cheesy. It’s earned through each episode as the stakes rise.
One of the biggest emotional anchors is Lee Han-kyeong, a teacher with her own complicated past, played brilliantly by Han Ji-eun. She’s not a damsel, nor is she a cookie-cutter mentor. Her relationship with Ga-min is layered, respectful, and filled with unspoken emotional tension—never romanticized, but incredibly powerful.
Hwang Min-hyun proves he's more than just an idol-turned-actor. He brings nuance, physical presence, and vulnerability to Ga-min.
Cha Woo-min as Pi Han-Wul is unpredictable and charismatic—playing the “is-he-friend-or-foe” card with flair.
Supporting cast members aren’t just background—they get mini arcs that add flavor and realism to the story.
Study Group is the rare school drama that balances emotional depth with pulse-pounding action. It’s about redemption, friendship, survival—and most surprisingly, hope.
If you’re into gritty high school dramas with a strong narrative backbone and fight scenes that actually serve the plot, this one deserves a spot on your watchlist.
This is a visceral, high-stakes action drama disguised as an academic pursuit, and it’s one of the most underrated action dramas of 2025.
The fight choreography in Study Group is not just good—it’s cinematic, grounded, and brutal. Every punch lands with weight. Every fight scene is emotionally charged. Whether it’s Ga-min standing alone in a hallway against five attackers or an all-out brawl in a classroom, the action isn’t just about violence—it’s storytelling in motion.
Despite the intense action, Study Group has heart. At its core, it’s about agency, transformation, and defying labels. Ga-min doesn’t want to be the guy people fear—he wants change, and he wants to lift others up with him. That goal is never cheesy. It’s earned through each episode as the stakes rise.
One of the biggest emotional anchors is Lee Han-kyeong, a teacher with her own complicated past, played brilliantly by Han Ji-eun. She’s not a damsel, nor is she a cookie-cutter mentor. Her relationship with Ga-min is layered, respectful, and filled with unspoken emotional tension—never romanticized, but incredibly powerful.
Hwang Min-hyun proves he's more than just an idol-turned-actor. He brings nuance, physical presence, and vulnerability to Ga-min.
Cha Woo-min as Pi Han-Wul is unpredictable and charismatic—playing the “is-he-friend-or-foe” card with flair.
Supporting cast members aren’t just background—they get mini arcs that add flavor and realism to the story.
Study Group is the rare school drama that balances emotional depth with pulse-pounding action. It’s about redemption, friendship, survival—and most surprisingly, hope.
If you’re into gritty high school dramas with a strong narrative backbone and fight scenes that actually serve the plot, this one deserves a spot on your watchlist.
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