“There’s more to life than your grades. But I want too badly to do well in school to say that.” – Youn Ga Min (Study Group)
As the quote suggests, there’s more to life than just studying and grades. But what if getting good grades isn’t a requirement, but a personal choice and goal? This 10-episode K-drama, adapted from the webtoon of the same name, ‘Study Group’—written by Shin Hyung Wook and illustrated by Ryu Seung Yeon—examines that very idea.
The drama follows the story of Youn Ga Min (played by Hwang Min Hyun), a struggling high schooler with exceptional martial prowess who dreams of excelling academically and getting a chance to attend college. As such, ‘Study Group’ delves into the complex world he must navigate while attending Yusung Technical High School. Tackling heavy topics like bullying, school violence, and juvenile crime, the series balances these with core themes of friendship, loyalty, bravery, and, above all, trust.
Series: Study Group
Where to watch: TVING, Rakuten Viki
Cast: Hwang Min Hyun, Han Ji Eun, Cha Woo Min, Lee Jong Hyun, Shin Su Hyun, Yoon Sang Jung, Gong Do Yu
Written by: Oh Bo Hyun
Directed by: Lee Jang Hoon
The Plot
Wanting to excel academically despite not having a natural knack for it, Youn Ga Min enrolls in Yusung Technical High School, a notoriously infamous institution attended by delinquents and troubled students. His decision comes with its own set of challenges, marked by rampant school violence that threatens to break the sense of purpose he’s managed to build with the help of his teacher, Lee Han Gyeong (played by Han Ji Eun), and the fellow members of his study group.
When faced with such circumstances, and an impending threat to his friends and teacher due to the school’s chaotic environment and buried secrets, Ga Min is forced to put his physical and martial abilities to use in order to protect them and continue his journey toward academic excellence.
The Characters
Youn Ga Min (played by Hwang Min Hyun)
Youn Ga Min is a shy, awkward, and seemingly quiet student wearing glasses and a perfect uniform, with a dream to enter a college, despite his ever-falling grades. With his ‘nerdy’ and studious appearance, many often underestimate his strength and well-honed combat skills, making him the ultimate underdog capable of fighting multiple opponents at a time. A die-hard fan of Bruce Lee, he’s often seen using and propagating his idol’s philosophy to better himself and those around him.
Lee Han Gyeong (played by Han Ji Eun)
Ga Min’s former tutor and a temporary teacher at Yusung Technical High School, who aims to make Yusung a better place. She had been the top scorer in the teacher’s certification exam, but had been unable to attend the interview, which disqualified her from obtaining a formal teaching certificate. Assigned as a homeroom teacher for Ga Min’s class, she’s also the supervisor of their study group and plays a key role in helping the students achieve their goals.
Pi Han Ul (played by Cha Woo Min)
A model 11th-grade student and the one pulling strings behind Yusung High’s increasing juvenile crime rate. Son of a wealthy family, he’s one of the key figures amongst the students of Yusung High. He’s also one of the people responsible for the invention of the ‘ranking’ app widespread amongst the students, which led to a significant decline in the school’s environment and an increase in school violence. One can say he’s the main antagonist or the ‘resident villain’.
Kim Se Hyeon (played by Lee Jong Hyun)
Ga Min’s classmate who helped form the study group with him. A bright student who wants to go to college but can’t due to his family circumstances. He finds his will and strength again to continue pursuing his dreams with the help of Ga Min’s persistence and support.
Lee Ji Woo (played by Shin Su Hyun)
A straightforward, bold, and strong female student from the same grade as Ga Min. She’s trained in judo and can hold her own when it comes to fighting. Although not expressive with her love and care for her fellow study group members and her twin brother, her actions prove otherwise.
Choi Hui Won (played by Yoon Sang Jung)
A shy and well-mannered girl who is best friends with Lee Ji Woo. She’s also a member of the study group and has been the one responsible for Lee Ji Woo becoming one as well. As the series progresses, her character shows surprising developments which leave viewers (and fellow study group members alike) in shock.
Lee Jun (played by Gong Do Yu)
A lively fighting enthusiast who is not so good at fighting. He joins the study group after seeing Ga Min fight and looks forward to defeating him. His characteristic bright red hair earned him the nickname ‘Strawberry Head’ amongst his peers. He also later on goes to learn fighting techniques from Ga Min and becomes one of his best friends.
What Makes this Series Differ from the Others of its Genre?
- Friendship over romance: ‘Study Group’, unlike many other series from the high school genre, focuses more on the value and themes of friendship, perseverance, and loyalty than romance. In fact, having minimal romantic subplots makes it feel like a breath of fresh air, while the gradual team-building adds a nice touch of relatability for the viewers.
- Real-life parallels: Many instances within the drama draw parallels with real-life problems students face during their time in high school. From bullying to finding your tribe in an unfamiliar place, adjusting to a new environment, and making discoveries, this drama covers them all.
- Character portrayal: The character portrayal within the drama for each main as well as support roles is very well crafted to fit with the story. The dynamic nature of the characters adds dimension and depth to the plot. It also does justice to the webtoon it was originally adapted from.
- Compelling narrative: While there is a visible divide between the cause, the narrative is fairly balanced. The characters all show their own strengths and weaknesses, which drives the narrative that nobody is perfect and that everyone has their own flaws. It also emphasizes the fact that actions have consequences, no matter how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ one might be.
- Humor to the punch: While the drama itself is based heavily on action themes and dangerous fight scenes, it also adds in the laughs to pair the punches with. Witty one-liners and circumstantial humor make this a well-packaged all-rounder.
- Bomb OSTs: The series also comes paired with fantastic OSTs. Featuring songs from various artists like ZB1 and n.SSign members to Haon and Bang Yedam. The songs are also of diverse variety, consisting of hip-hop, rap, and slow ballads.
‘Study Group’ goes beyond its namesake; it encapsulates various aspects of a high schooler’s life through metaphors and specific incidents. It’s an action-comedy that not only delivers heart-racing fight scenes but also shines a light on the circumstances that often go unnoticed in the lives of teenagers. With its clever use of humor, the series raises questions about corrupted systems and how ‘adults’ often downplay or overlook the struggles of youth.
Packed with action, humor, and the power of friendship, ‘Study Group’ stands out from the usual run-of-the-mill high school K-drama genre. It’s a must-watch for anyone looking to take a break from romance, a fan of the original webtoon, or someone in a time crunch who can’t commit to a 16 (or more) episode series.
Written by- N.V.S. Akanksha
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