Drama Review: Study Group (2025 TV Series)

Genre: Action, Thriller, Youth Drama

Director: Lee Eung-bok (known for "Sweet Home," "Descendants of the Sun")

Writer: Kim Eun-hee ("Kingdom," "Signal")

Starring: Park Ji-hoon, Kim So-hyun, Choi Hyun-wook, Lee Do-hyun

Plot Summary

Study Group is a high-stakes action thriller set in an elite but corrupt private high school where students are secretly trained as mercenaries. The story follows a group of misfit geniuses who uncover a dark conspiracy involving the school’s faculty and a powerful underground syndicate. As they navigate brutal academic pressure and deadly combat training, they must rely on each other to survive and expose the truth.

Strengths

✅ Gripping Premise – The blend of intense academic competition and mercenary action creates a fresh, adrenaline-fueled narrative.

✅ Strong Performances – Park Ji-hoon shines as the rebellious but brilliant leader, while Kim So-hyun delivers a standout performance as a cold but strategic fighter.

✅ Cinematic Action – The fight choreography is movie-level, with well-shot sequences that rival The Glory and Weak Hero Class 1.

✅ Social Commentary – The series critiques extreme academic pressure and institutional corruption, adding depth to the thriller elements.

Weaknesses

❌ Pacing Issues – Some episodes drag with excessive exposition before the action kicks in.

❌ Underdeveloped Side Characters – A few members of the "study group" lack backstory, making their arcs feel rushed.

❌ Over-the-Top Villains – While entertaining, some antagonists border on caricature-level evil.

Final Verdict: 8.5/10

Study Group is a thrilling, binge-worthy series that combines Squid Game’s survival tension with All of Us Are Dead’s youthful energy. Despite minor flaws, it’s one of the most exciting K-dramas of 2025, perfect for fans of dark academia and action-packed storytelling.