Is This K-Drama Worth Your Time?
K-dramas thrive on familiar formulas, and nowhere is that more evident than in school fight dramas. You know the drill—new kid arrives, tries to keep a low profile, but inevitably ends up fighting the school bullies. It’s a setup that has worked for years, from Once Upon a Time in High School to Weak Hero Class 1, and now, Study Group throws its own punches into the ring.
This time, however, the protagonist is a nerd-turnedunexpected hero who masters Jeet Kune Do. He’s a wannabe academic who just wants to study—but somehow keeps ending up in street brawls. And honestly? It’s wildly entertaining, especially when he uses the Uncle’s Banned Technique.
School Bullies, Study Buddies & Survival
Hwang Min-hyun plays Yoon Ga-min, a student who wants nothing more than to succeed academically—but there’s just one tiny problem: no matter how much he studies, he consistently ranks at the bottom of his class. His plan? Be the best student among the worst. Desperate to rank higher, he requests a transfer to Yuseong Technical School.
The reality? Academics don’t matter here. Fist fights do. At Yuseong, students don’t stress over test scores—instead, they compete in an underground fight ranking system, where strength determines survival. Ga-min, clueless at first, is laser-focused on forming a study group—until he accidentally takes down one of the school’s strongest fighters. And just like that, he becomes the new target.
One moment Ga-min is scribbling notes, and the next, he’s knocking out bullies—earning himself an unwanted reputation as the school’s new No.1 fighter. Now, he’s caught the attention of Pi Hanwool (Cha Woo-min), Yuseong’s reigning champion, and let’s just say… Han-wool doesn’t appreciate the sudden competition.
The Unexpected Hero
Ga-min soon sets his sights on recruiting Kim Se-hyun (Lee Jonghyun), an intelligent but introverted classmate who prefers to keep his smarts a secret to avoid trouble. Naturally, Se-hyun wants nothing to do with Ga-min’s so-called “study group”—until Ga-min, in an unexpected act of heroism, stands up for him against the bullies.
With Se-hyun reluctantly on board and the guidance of their tough but supportive teacher Lee Han-kyung (Han Ji-eun), Ga-min’s study group finally takes shape.
But instead of just prepping for exams, they find themselves preparing for war.
From Study Group to Ride-orDie Crew
As the episodes progress, Ga-min and Se-hyun begin recruiting more members—each with unique stories and struggles. What starts as an awkward academic club slowly transforms into a ride-or-die crew, with every member bringing their own strengths to the team..
Their friendship solidifies, and they are no longer just studying together—they have each other’s backs, both in and out of battle. Whether it’s defending one another from bullies or standing united in fights they can’t avoid, the study group evolves from misfits into a real team.
This shift makes Study Group even more enjoyable, as the series blends action, camaraderie, and heartfelt moments to keep viewers invested in these characters and their journey.
So, Is It Worth Watching?
Study Group is the perfect mix of action, humour, and absurdity. The fast-paced storytelling, flashy fight scenes, and exaggerated reactions make it a binge-worthy, feel-good drama. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is exactly what makes it so fun.
The story isn’t just about fights and rankings—it’s about friendship, loyalty, and standing up for one another. Watching these underdogs grow stronger together is what makes the show more than just another school fight drama.
If you love fast action, high school chaos, and a hero who surprises even himself, this show is an easy and exciting watch. Plus, it proves that sometimes, the best fights don’t happen in the ring—they happen in the classroom.
