What it is about??
Study Group, the drama follows the story of Yun Ga Min. He is a student who is obsessed with studying and achieving good grades. Despite his extreme hard work, his grades never improve. Though appearance-wise he looks like a model student, he possesses exceptional fighting skills and physical strength.
As his interest in studying keeps on growing and wants to do better, he wants to join a study group. But due to his low grades, nobody wants him in their study group. He hears a classmate mention about Yusung Technical High School. Hence, decides to enroll, only to discover it’s the worst school possible. Nevertheless, he remains determined to create his own study group and pursue his dream of attending college. His path is filled with obstacles, particularly due to the school’s unusual environment where students fight like bulls at the mere command of someone named Pi Han Ui who is also a fellow high school student studying at Yusung Technical.
On other hand, Lee Han Kyeong, Yun Ga Min’s teacher, dreams of seeing the school change for the better. Lee Han Kyeong tutored Yun Ga Min during her university days. And, she reunites with him when she is appointed as a temporary teacher at Yusung Technical, holding a secret.
unique & engaging storyline
First of all, Study Group kdrama’s storyline reminded me of anime like Windbreaker and Tokyo Revengers. The story is focused on teenage high schoolers who struggle and aim to become better people by studying but are rather involved in fighting because of school regulations and corruption.
When I first started watching, I had no idea what I was getting into, which made the experience even more exciting and entertaining. I had only seen the poster and title, so I assumed it would be a typical high school drama about students’ struggles, it proved me wrong.
One of the things I really liked was the absence of romance in the plot. Instead, the story revolves around friendship and the battle between good and evil. Lee Han Kyeong, as a teacher, did an excellent job of portraying what a teacher should do – standing against corruption and speaking out against the wrongdoings in the school. The drama isn’t too dark, as it maintains a lighthearted, fun, and action-comedy vibe.
Well-Cast Characters and Their Impact
Almost all the characters in this drama are perfectly cast, especially Pi Han Ui. His sharp jawline and piercing eyes make him the ideal choice for portraying a cold and distant bad-boy character. His appearance adds depth to the drama, making him a compelling antagonist.
Most of the characters are incredibly likable. I especially love Choi Hui Won. At first, she comes across as a studious and well-behaved girl, but as the story progresses, her development is commendable. She finds her own way to support her friends despite not being able to fight. Watching her transformation – from someone who never swore to someone fiercely standing by her friends and cursing her lungs out is truly satisfying.
Kim Se Hyeon is another standout. His sweet and innocent personality makes him impossible not to love. He is a topper but due to his family problems seems to doubt whether to continue his studies or not and earn money just like his father given his financial condition. Similarly, Lee Ji U is a total badass who refuses to tolerate injustice, always fighting back twice as hard. Meanwhile, Lee Jun brings refreshment to drama with his persistent and never-giving-up personality, making you laugh whenever he’s on screen.
What makes ‘Study Group’ special is that you can’t truly hate anyone. Even the students who support bad deeds have their own circumstances, making you feel empathetic towards them.
Unrealistic Fight Scenes + Comedy
For a high schooler, to fight like an adult and pull off the action sequence that only an experienced person would be able to do is kind of unrealistic in this drama. From breaking walls to unbelievable high jumps and kicks which you can only watch in fantasy k-drama like Alchemy of Souls – those action scenes seem exaggerated but if you take it in a fun way, all these scenes are quite enjoyable. Being emotionally invested in the drama, it is satisfying to see your rooted character being able to defeat their enemies whatever might be an action sequence and process.
Besides action, ‘Study Group’ is packed with comedic moments that will brighten up your whole day. I remember a scene when Yu Ga Min’s mother tries to make him leave school, believing it isn’t worth studying there. So, for him to stay, Choi Hui Won blurted out that she was pregnant with his child which was so funny. Another comedic highlight again involves Choi Hui Won. She gathers all the so-called bad boys as a gang to fight against Pi Han Ui which was unexpected and funny too.
How the society works
I love how the drama showed subtly how it reflects real-life struggles and societal truth. A particular scene that stood out to me was when Han Ui confronts Ga Min questioning him about what he can offer to the students. He can give them all whether it be money or connection because that’s the way the world works. Additionally, focusing on the fact that hope and dreams – these all are meaningless.
This small yet powerful scene left a deep impact on me. It made me reflect on the harsh reality of our society – how success often depends on wealth and connections, especially for those from middle-class or lower-income backgrounds or even for rich families.
Missed Opportunities
I genuinely wish the drama had been 12 episodes instead of 10 because there were so many aspects I would have loved to see.
First, I was really curious about Pi Han Ui’s character. While he was portrayed as a feared figure, I wanted to see more depth in his backstory. What exactly made him so terrifying that even students, the vice principal, and the police were wary of him? This could have added more layers to his character.
Another aspect that left me confused was the character with blue hair, who always stuck by Pi Han Ui and acted like a psycho. I don’t know what his character is about and did not understand his purpose in the drama other than being an ally of Han Ui. Instead, Park Geon Yeop could have brought great new twist and turns with revenge emotions in the plot, making the story even more engaging. I really think he wasn’t well-utilized.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this drama. It had been a while since I watched something so entertaining, and every scene felt worth watching. The storyline, the characters, and the action made it truly unskippable. In a way, it had ended I guess there will be a second season and I really hope it will be even better than the first season.
One thing I do regret, though, is not getting to see the face reveal of ‘The Uncle’ who taught Ga Min such fierce fighting techniques and life lessons.
Another highlight of the drama was its music score. The intro song was perfect, setting the tone for the series.
Have you watched the drama – ‘Study Group’ yet? It has already aired all the episodes and hoping to see your perspective and reviews in the comments.
