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Action Manhwa comes to life
The story about a boy that really wants to study, but all his skills are physical, in fighting. A great show that gives us his journey through finding friends and his worth outside of studying as well as fighting for better future for everyone.The series is well-written and well-acted (great casting), the highlight are the fight scene made in a true "manhwa comes to life" style that makes them seem supernatural. The soundtrack of this drama is also so well-fitting and complements the overall vibe of the series. Highly recommended.
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A most see if you like action and heart
I binged watched it in a day because I couldn't stop watching. Loved the action scenes, the characters and the cute story about this boy who was so bad in studying but great at something that could change so many things. The message was clear and you could be influenced easily.Bullying and hard times in school have always been existing and always will. But this story make you believe that anything is possible, even for a kid who easily could give up but didn't. Hopes and dreams is manifested in the story line in a intelligent way. I liked it a lot and would definitely watch a second season if they make one.
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The fight scenes are top-tier, and the pacing keeps you hooked. It’s rare to find a drama that’s this fun and exciting at the same time. A must-watch for anyone who loves action-packed high school dramas with a lot of laughs!
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This review may contain spoilers
Intro to resisting systemic corruption
Every strike Yun Ga Min lays against a variety of bullies is a cathartic release of power that we all wish we had to defend ourselves. The beat down scenes are very well set up in each situation. It's so funny how he accidentally became a martial arts savant on his path to do everything to boost his chances on finally getting good grades. The only muscle that is the most resistant to strengthening in the poor guy's body is his brain alas. He may not be smart, but he his heart and tenacity is inspiring to the people that he cultivates a supportive circle that inspires them to stand up to the corrupt school and bully system they are trapped in that also goes beyond it. It's also important to note that Yun Ga Min comes from a middle class background in comparison to his economically disadvantaged schoolmates. Their financial insecure status is a key point that is taken advantaged of by the rich kid Pi Han Ul who is a rotten apple fallen from the rotten violent rich businessman gangster tree.I like that teacher Lee acknowledges that violence is a legitimate self defense reaction to when the student is facing violent behavior and detective Na acknowledge the limitation to how much he's able to help them. Ms Lee has zero fighting skills and knew from the start her mentor was stabbed to death and she still went to this school and took a stabbing to protect her student from a murder charge and faced down many attempted murders. She went into her personal mission with eyes open to the danger. It does seem she healed from the stab wound really fast. It's also good that the Study Group doesn't just have Ga Min as the only protector, Ji U and to a lesser degree but better than Se Hyeon and Hui Won, though Se Hyeon is a pretty quick study, able to to swiftly follow both Ga Min and Ga Min's mom's direction to fight bullies. Se Hyeon might be an all rounder in brains and brawns with more training. Hui Won has potential as well, knocking down a bully american football tackle style. If there is a season two, it would be nice to see the group train up in all stats, both grades and fighting. Sun Cheol just wanting to study and his grandfather learning something new until he died are both very moving stories.
It's eye rolling that of Ga Min's mom, the director of the Tae Kwon Do association would be knocked out with a severe injury despite so many other characters getting worse hits and just shrugging it off. This was ultimately unnecessary as it didn't change Ga Min's character trajectory in anyway and she recovered just fine anyways. The drama leaves some dangling threads like Ga Min's master that his mom banned him from meeting anymore and possibly more to do with Han Ul's father and of course the kids who are only first and second years getting into college. I hope Sun Cheol who is already a senior gets into college as well. I hope this show gets another season to finish out the story.
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Unexpectedly good!
I enjoyed the show more than I thought I would. The story and the production-special effects will have you hooked. And the music will make your heart bumped up. It's 10 episodes only, I wished there was a second season. Also, a romantic interest would have been appreciated(not that is needed). The cast fit their roles nicely.Was this review helpful to you?
Don’t Mess with the Nerds.
If most parents would want their kids to be the top scorer in their school, Yun Gamin’s mom is satisfied enough if her son could graduate safely even if he’s at the bottom. Yun Gamin had always been the permanent resident of the bottom 5 in all the schools he attended so far, and although his future seems bleak, he decides to enrol into Yusung Technical High School as his last resort to enter college through special admittance lane. He diligently try to recruit students to join his study group to improve his exam score, and finally manages to gather four seemingly hopeless kids through blood and sweat. But then he faces yet another stumbling block, Yusung’s #1 student, son of a feared chaebol in the district, Pi Hanul would not let any of those kids to study and would try every means necessary to tear them apart even if it means to kill.I was so excited to see Seo Yul from Alchemy of Soul playing the ML here. His looks is as gentle and harmless looking like he did in AoS, and fits the nerdy Yun Gamin perfectly well. Yun Gamin looks like a super nerdy loser just waiting to be bullied with his big ass glasses of his, but this character packed some serious punches once provoked. Little that people know, ML spends every morning training martial art. Although his physique fits more for an athlete instead of a nerd, he was adamant on studying instead, despite always occupying the bottom 5, because he felt a kind of fullfilment when he manages to answer questions right, no matter how low his overall score turned out to be. It’s an attitude that every parent would dream of to have in their kids, diligence and perseverence.
I really liked how the writer string in each kid into ML’s study group through such uncanny encounters and circumstances. Each character is very different from each other, although they all do share the same goal, which is to study for college and that they would not give in to the gangster’s pressure to quit. A special note on the one who played Pi Hanul, he looked exactly like chinese actor Ding Yuxi, it’s like seeing a younger version of him.
It is rather sad to see how the adults failed these children though. I am not sure if this is the reality in Korea, but for adults to enable this fear of school while promoting hopelessness is the absolute violation of kids’ rights for education. These enabler kids, parents and teachers really needed some ample slaps from Teach You a Lesson’s Inspector Na Hwajin.
That aside, watching the show also made me feel like I was watching a superhero show, cuz these kids fight like they have superpowers - smashing thick windows and sliding doors, crashing through walls, kicking through reinforced locked doors and jumping off high floors. Even broken/dislocated knee could not stop the ML from teaching those bullies (that look more like criminals than students) a lesson. I love it each time Uncle’s Ultimate Move makes its debut. No matter how outworldly unrealitistic the fights looked, i thoroughly enjoyed myself cuz the satisfaction of seeing the villains bleed and knocked out is very fullfilling.
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Funny first half, very comic-coded so it's a bit over the top.
The first half was funny and I enjoyed it. However, the second half became a bit boring? The fight scenes are extremely over the top and very comic-style, I can't really take it seriously xD A lot of things feel forced and don’t really make sense, at some point I found myself watching just to finish it for Minhyun.That said, the soundtrack absolutely slaps - 10/10 for the OST. I also enjoyed Minhyun’s portrayal of his character; such a cute nerd xD I really want to see him get into college, season 2 please make his dream come true! Besides Ga Min, I think Choi Hee Won is my favorite of this show. She is so odd, yet so cute... cutely odd? xD Her face reminds me of NMIXX Haewon, and their names also sound somewhat similar!
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Good Enough
Korean Drama '' Study Group '' is an action, school drama.The story is pretty enjoyable, with loads of action scenes and well-choreographed fighting scenes. It also has an emotional aspect, with the friendship slowly blossoming between the members of the study group, as it grows and acquires new members. In addition, each student had an interesting background story that enhanced that emotional aspect.
On the other hand, the corruption of the school wasn't as smoothly handled as the comedy and the rest of the story, but it was entertaining nevertheless.
Finally, the performances were all enjoyable by everyone in the cast.
So, overall, eight out of ten.
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This review may contain spoilers
Life's fair.... if treated fair as well.
School is meant for studying, but not all students find joy in it. So what could be better than studying? Fighting? I doubt violence is ever a solution in life. 🤔📚But in Study Group, that’s exactly what it shows. In Yuseong Technical High School, it feels like a place that raises gangsters, controlled by a student feared like a monster. Until the recent addition — the so-called dumbest student in school — dared to form a group where students study to enter college… and fight against that injustice. 👊🔥
This Korean drama raised my adrenaline after such a long time. I thought it would be boring at first, but I truly appreciated the friendship and bond that grew between the characters and their drive to reach their goal. The action stunts were stunning and kept me excited all throughout. ⚡🎬
The characters may look ordinary, but I like that each of them was given the chance to tell their own story. 🌟
Except the villain. His face was never scary, but he was intimidating — and that’s because of the actor portraying him. It ws a sublt eyet great portrayal. Still, I felt a bit sad that his character wasn’t explored much. Even though he was a villain, I was hoping to see the reasons behind his actions, especially since there were a few moments near the finale that showed remorse. 🥺
Hwang Min Hyun was amazing as the lead, and likewise, Han Ji Eun was beautiful in her feisty role as a teacher. 👏✨ I also loved discovering new favorites — Choi Woo Min as the capable villain and Hong Min Ki, who was compelling despite having only a few scenes. 💫
I was so ecstatic during the finale episode because I read that there will be a season two, and I truly can’t wait. I wonder who will be Han Wool’s successor. 😭🔥
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This brought back the magic of kdramas for me after a long drought
Its one of the best action comedies in asia. THE QUALITY OF THIS DRAMA IS ACTUALLY AT PAR WITH SOME OF THE BEST INTERNATIONAL CONTENT IN THIS GENRE. They have taken some extremely serious themes and made it light. Its easier to make a serious and gloomy drama but extremely difficult to turn these themes into a light, deep and humorous plot.The slow mo is quite deliberate and gives that Anime/webtoon effect to it which I love. Its suits action comedy.
Its a 10/10 in every way for me. The suspense, thrill and the chemistry of the students is on point.
1)The into song is great 🎶🎵
2) The male lead has exceeded my expectations in every way. I had little to no hopes but HE KILLED IT.
3) The pacing is perfect and the mysterious characters and their stories add to the thrill of this drama. Every character has the ability to suprise you !!
4) chemistry between the study group is 🔥amazing
5) The plot is light yet deep and covers many social issues from school violence to classism to parental abuse and everything under the sun.
6) The villains (and there are too many of them) have done a great job of making me cling to the screen.
Waiting for season 2!!
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Sweet but Psychos some want to study some want to fight
This show is one that is guaranteed to fulfil all your violent bloody needs for a long time to come.Ill start with the good, friendship, characters and contrast between the "Just want to study" and "fight for your life" gangseres recruiting paradise... Both evil and do called good characters had psycho charm vibes that captured part of my heart in some ways our male lead reminded me of Do Bong Soon almost as sweet and just as strong. Also the mom in this was lovely.
Oh will someone just let the boy form a study group and study.... I. also loved the way the main lead, stupid as he may have been cold see in to the other teens soules... I can see it in his eyes that he wants to study,,, so cute!
The less good and reason this got a 7,5 and not much more... Repetitiveness, lack of true plot and pacing that felt a bit off... Dare I say this could have been a 6 episode drama? or maybe just a movie as it had a bit to many filler moments.
But oh those sweet psychos almost make me want to up the score...
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