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Fun-Packed Action, topped with Friendship and Resilience — a 10/10 watch
"I create opportunities even in hellish situations." Yun Ga MinI binged all eight episodes the day before the final two dropped and let me tell y'all, I've never had this much fun binging something, to the point that I regretted not watching this on air, cause I'm going to miss them so much now that it's over.
Study Group was so much fun to watch. I was touched by the friendships, their fight to improve their school, and the sheer want to study. It was fast-paced, with no boring moments, hence I binged all eight episodes all in one day, lol, which is a rare occurrence for me nowadays. The fight scenes were pure cinema, so fun and dynamic. They could look a bit over the top, but it worked perfectly in this drama. I loved how the camera work and angles were in symphony with what was happening in the scenes; it made it more immersive.
The cast was brilliant, no matter the role everyone was so good at portraying their character. We had a bunch of talented up-and-coming actors, as well as some established actors. I adored the friendship that blossomed between our Study Group members, it was so organic and I loved their interaction and banter. I have no words for these kids, they made me so happy, emotional and proud at the same time, especially Se Hyeon. Although I keep telling myself I have no favourites, Se Hyeon managed to score that special place. My beautiful boy, I'm so happy he and Ga Min found each other.
The character arcs in this drama were some of the most beautiful ones I've seen, especially Sun Cheol's with his grandfather. I found Pi Han Ul to be a fascinating villain, he had this aura to him. I usually straight up hate the bullies but he made me question him right till the end. Cha Woo Min is that actor, I'm always so fascinated by his versatility.
The final episode was my favourite, I loved how even most of the bad students came together at the end, that scene with Hui Won screaming and swearing was hilarious to watch.
Special mention to the OST, which was phenomenal. I love every single track, and the rap and hip-hop went so well with the fight scenes, making them more exciting to watch.
Study Group is about resilience and the power of getting back up no matter how many times you fall or fail. It's about building friendships and standing together no matter the circumstances or consequences. It was about how hard it is to have dreams and hopes, but still never give up on them. Yun Ga Min is such a strong, resilient and admirable character. Honestly, to have that much passion to be good at studying even after all the setbacks and failures he had was so admirable. Even I would have given up, honestly, anyone would, but he inspired us to do even better and not let small things feel like the end of the world. Hwang Min Hyun, I love seeing your growth as an actor!
A 10/10 watch. Please watch it, and I hope you have just as much fun as I had. Even if it's not everyone's cup of tea, I'm sure everyone can find something they relate to or can take away from this. 🙂
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BEST 2025 DRAMA SO FAR for me (and we're only in January)
This was the best thing I've watched in a while. What a way to start 2025.All the elements of a good kdrama, packed in 8 episodes. I don't even remember when I last laughed and cried this much while watching a kdrama. One minute, I was laughing and had the biggest smile on my face, and the next I was crying and questioning life, and trust me when I say I had no expectations going into this. Is this the comeback of the good old Netflix Originals? Cos I used to love them, but in the last few years, they started to lose touch and plot honestly. But this reminded me why I love a good ensemble cast, and above everything why I love medical dramas if done like this. Some kdramas by Netflix lately lack balance, but this had that balance mastered to perfection: good comedy mixed with serious scenes and themes, some good action and just the best representation of friendships and hard work of doctors working in emergency/trauma departments. And the character development was really interesting to witness. On top of all that, it was very educational, I never even knew that emergency medicine had a whole different department dedicated to trauma.
Talking about the cast I have to first of all say this: Ju. Ji. Hoon. WHAT A MAN!!! In the last six months, I've seen this guy on my screen more than any other actor and I am not complaining. He is such a versatile actor, and his projects this past year are proof. He's funny when needed and don't get me started on when he has to act in more serious and emotional scenes. He has this way of bringing a character alive, that I can't even explain or fully comprehend. He's become a new must-watch actor, I'll be watching anything he stars in. Choo Young Woo also took me by surprise, he never appealed to me as an actor, but this was proof again that sometimes what actors need is a character to make them and their talent shine and show how good they are. I'm so glad he got this role, he and Ju Ji Hoon as Dr Baek and Anus/No 1 are my new Roman empire, I love them to bits. But seriously, a supporting cast makes or breaks a drama most of the time, and it's always so nice to see familiar, talented faces make the wonderful support cast of The Trauma Code. The dynamics between everyone were so chaotic and hilarious, it was so entertaining to watch.
I hope there's at least one more season of this. I would love to see more of our little Trauma Centre and more patients and their stories. Eight episodes were not enough seeing how good this was.
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This review may contain spoilers
COMPELLING CONCEPT WITH A SOMEWHAT SLOPPY EXECUTION
The premise of the drama was very intriguing.As for my thoughts on the story and its elements, I initially thought that they hadn't mentioned anything about a supernatural or fantasy element to maintain interest or surprise factor, and it engrossed me. However, as I continued watching, I realised that the events surrounding Park Mi Jung had nothing to do with magic or a curse, and I was dying to understand why such accidents surrounded her.
Although Dong Jin's actions were extreme in wanting to help solve this mystery, his intentions for her to live a happy life were genuine. His feelings started as a curiosity when he was a high schooler since Mi Jung's circumstances made her the talk of the town, but felt almost like a fixation or obsession rather than a crush at some point. Although I do understand that due to the FL's circumstances, it was less a question of whether she wanted help or not, but more of how his feelings towards her and the mistreatments she faced, forced him to take a stand I helping her when barely anyone was there to stop the horrible rumours and accidents. However, I appreciated how both Dong Jin and his friend admitted to the fact that he did indeed stalk Mi Jung, no matter whether his intentions were good or bad.
The best or unusual side to this drama was how the ML used data and statistics to understand the events and accidents surrounding the FL. Although all the patterns and variables made sense, it was still a bit unrealistic and illogical how someone could have such "Rules of Death" surrounding them, as this drama was depicting real life and not a fantasy story. The ending and the connection between Mi Jung and Jung Hyuk ultimately presented that this drama was not telling a story of whether curses or witches were real, but was more a metaphor of sorts, almost like your typical fairytale ending, where true love conquers all. It was a story of how superstitions and similar beliefs make people's lives so lonely and isolating since they have no control over them being unlucky/cursed. I am still somewhat perplexed by the ultimate meaning, but that could be me trying to get too into depth.
I am going to mention however that Mi Jung confessing her love for Dong Jin at the end felt a bit forced. Yes, sometimes love can come from a place of deep care for someone and grows from there, and she was indeed worried about Dong Jin. Most importantly, she would not have gone to Dong Jin if she did not want to be with him or had some feelings for him. But that last variable, where Dong Jin tried to make her fall in love with him, was it really for her to have a happy life with someone by her side or more him forcefully putting himself in her life by making himself the last variable? As mentioned above as well, both these questions show this obsessive need for Dong Jin to make Mi Jung's life a happy ending.
The lead actors did a good job in portraying their characters, with Jin Young and Roh Jong Eui showing versatility. The cinematography was very well thought out. The grey and almost foggy colour grading throughout the drama emphasizes the sentiment of isolation and loneliness that the FL has experienced her whole life. The OST further creates this eery, sad and mystic atmosphere that further envelopes you in the story.
Yet, the story could be considered disorganised and could have been done better, as the slow pacing and repetitiveness failed to keep many viewers engaged. However, I do believe that for the type of story being told, the pacing and the way it was directed/edited somehow worked in creating suspense and inquisitiveness and managed to keep me engaged till the end.
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To be young and in love in the late 90s
I just love youth love stories set in the 90s/early 2000s so much. Something about the nostalgic music, the pagers, the comic books and tape cassettes always tugs something in my heart.I loved this. It was funny and nothing too complex, but sometimes that is more than enough. The friendship and portrayal of first love were the highlights, and the cast was great. I almost forgot that Gong Myung is in his thirties now. He is such a natural with that face and the acting. I have loved Shin Eun Soo since Twinkling Watermelon, and it was as if she and Ha Yi Chan swapped roles. She was so chaotic here in comparison to Twinkling Watermelon, and it just shows her range and versatility as an actress. Can't wait to see more of her. And my dearest So I from Single's Inferno, she's such a great actress, and it's so good to see her in more and more support roles. I hope she can get even bigger roles; she's so refreshing to watch on screen.
If you loved the nostalgic vibes from 2521 and Twinkling Watermelon, this is for you.
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