This review may contain spoilers
First Drama to something MUCH!!! bigger
I’ll start by saying this was good—just GOOD! The story was well-paced, and the execution was nicely done. The music, especially *Backpacker*, fit the scenes perfectly.
Hwang Min Hyun did a great job as the lead, showing noticeable improvement from *Lovely Liar*. His chemistry with the rest of the cast really helped enhance the storytelling and raised the stakes throughout the drama.
The only downside? It was too short. Ten episodes weren’t enough. That’s probably why the final fight between Ga-Min and Han-Wool felt a bit rushed and slightly disappointing. With all the buildup throughout the season, I expected a more intense showdown, but it didn’t get as much screen time as I had hoped. I think one more episode would have made the final battle more impactful.
That said, I really liked the ending. After Han-Wool gets arrested, he essentially "hands over" his title as the school’s prince to Ga-Min, challenging him to prove that change is possible. The post-credit scene was a great setup for a potential redemption arc—if done well.
And let’s be real: with the success of this drama and that ending, it’s VERY obvious we’re getting a Season 2. The only catch? We’ll have to wait two years for Hwang Min Hyun to complete his military service.
While we wait for our favorite fighter to return, let’s talk about something big that might be happening. If you’re watching *Friendly Rivalry*—the drama starring Hyeri with what feels like a borderline GL storyline—you might not know that *Study Group* and *Friendly Rivalry* exist in the same universe. Both dramas are part of what’s called *The Blue String Universe*.
With *Study Group* and *Friendly Rivalry* both getting drama adaptations—and airing around the same time—something is definitely brewing. Could this be the foundation for a multi-drama universe? If so, this could be a game-changer for K-dramas.
For those who love forbidden romances like *Friendly Rivalry* or action-packed fight scenes like *Study Group*, this universe is shaping up to be something special. Keep an eye on it—because I think we’re just getting started.
Hwang Min Hyun did a great job as the lead, showing noticeable improvement from *Lovely Liar*. His chemistry with the rest of the cast really helped enhance the storytelling and raised the stakes throughout the drama.
The only downside? It was too short. Ten episodes weren’t enough. That’s probably why the final fight between Ga-Min and Han-Wool felt a bit rushed and slightly disappointing. With all the buildup throughout the season, I expected a more intense showdown, but it didn’t get as much screen time as I had hoped. I think one more episode would have made the final battle more impactful.
That said, I really liked the ending. After Han-Wool gets arrested, he essentially "hands over" his title as the school’s prince to Ga-Min, challenging him to prove that change is possible. The post-credit scene was a great setup for a potential redemption arc—if done well.
And let’s be real: with the success of this drama and that ending, it’s VERY obvious we’re getting a Season 2. The only catch? We’ll have to wait two years for Hwang Min Hyun to complete his military service.
While we wait for our favorite fighter to return, let’s talk about something big that might be happening. If you’re watching *Friendly Rivalry*—the drama starring Hyeri with what feels like a borderline GL storyline—you might not know that *Study Group* and *Friendly Rivalry* exist in the same universe. Both dramas are part of what’s called *The Blue String Universe*.
With *Study Group* and *Friendly Rivalry* both getting drama adaptations—and airing around the same time—something is definitely brewing. Could this be the foundation for a multi-drama universe? If so, this could be a game-changer for K-dramas.
For those who love forbidden romances like *Friendly Rivalry* or action-packed fight scenes like *Study Group*, this universe is shaping up to be something special. Keep an eye on it—because I think we’re just getting started.
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