I don't see much discourse about Study Group, although it's an absolute masterpiece, so let's put some content out here!
1.) The characters
Oh my babies. Hats off to the author, because he really can make a diverse set of people! Each character has a fleshed out backstory, defined goals and ideals (that are shown to clash with others, be it enemies or allies).
They're all very-human like in some way, with just enough cliché to make it enjoyable but not predictable.
(spoiler for chapter 252-253: I didn't know what choices Gamin and especially Geonyeob would make until the very last moment. Geonyeob had two choices ahead of him, and it heavily determined his future and showed a glimpse of what kind of person he is, how far he's willing to go for revenge... It surprised me, but boy was it an interesting chapter!)
You can't help but root for each and every one of them, prepare to get emotionally attached to them all!!
2.) The plot
This part deserves its own category.
The synopsis tells the base of the story. A high school boy that forms a study group, with the goal to enter university.
Easy, right? Simple goal, one that can be achieved if you study hard, right?
THINK AGAIN
First of all, and this is not a spoiler, our mc SUCKS ASS at studying. Like I'm not the best at studying either but he's on a whole new level. He puts time into it, is dedicated, tries his hardest... And still can't.
(I read theories that he may have a disability that affects his studying, like dyslexia or something, and it's very much possible!)
He's in an environment where people don't expect him to study since he's bad anyway, and actively try and sabotage his every attempt to get better grades & enter uni.
(Sounds cliche and weird but it makes sense if you learn about the plot later)
Every new character comes into the plot because of the study group he forms —directly or not directly, but they get in contact with the study group in a way later on.
And you know what's good about it?
The main character DOESN'T CHANGE.
He's not going "I'm powerful and cool now, so I'll choose the easy way out/focus on fighting instead/aim lower/etc," NO.
He's had a goal since day 1, and he's clinging to it like a fucking LIFE LINE.
There are arcs ofc, but the main goal is set, and the characters are slowly marching forward, doing their best to reach it.
3.) Realism
One more great thing? NO CLICHÉS
I'm taking about the story here.
There's NO "the power of friendship saves the day", no "the evil villain gets defeated simply because he's the evil villain", no "mc gets what he wants easily because he's the main character".
(and no "every girl falls for mc and he builds a harem around himself bc he's the mc". There's barely any romance in it, and it's not forced or unrealistic)
There are forces in front of the main character which affect his story, yet he cannot fight them because he's still a child, or a student, or a part of a system that is made to oppress him. Corruption, manipulation, crimes... It's realistic in the best way, with no easy way out.
There are highs and lows for our characters, and for a few moments, after a cool fight where they won, you might fall into the mistake of thinking about this story like any other : "oh, they're going to win after all! They're the main characters, they'll make it! "
... Just for the issues of the plot to slap the naive thought out of your head not even a chapter later.
Corruption is rooted deep, and this story portrays it beautifully : how getting rid of one, two or several causes won't make it all disappear.
To what extent people can be controlled by money and power.
How the powerful uses the weak, how the wealthy use those below them for their own benefit.
How adults would rather destroy children's futures and lives just to squeeze a few penny out of them and get rich from their misery.
The main character is idealistic in a corrupted world, refusing to give up on what he thinks is right —where most people around him choose the easy way out and give up their beliefs, their present and future for quick cash, for promises of wealth and power.
He is their mirror, their proof that you can stay true to yourself and fight through your misery, even if it's hard, even if it seems absolutely hopeless.
There are many arcs, and each show different approaches to this, but this is the core essence of the story. That you can choose the easy road, but you don't have to. You can fight for your goals even if everyone says you'll fail.
And so many people can't see past the fight scenes and the "action manhwa" tag, thinking that if the story doesn't show them some peak badass mc-gets-what-he-wants-through-fighting moment, the whole thing is trash.
Yes, this is an action manhwa, with fights. But it isn't about fighting.
And lastly, honorable mentions to this gem:
4.) Portrayal of stereotypes
Best parts coming up!!
As usual, every story has stereotypes portrayed in them.
How men are stronger than women, how gangsters act or rich kids behave. How bullies and nerds interact.
They don't gloss over these stereotypes.
Women are physically smaller and weaker. Rich kids are assholes, bullies are cruel and victims are weak.
They don't make them magically gain courage, change their behaviour overnight OR make these things seem cool.
They make changes.
Step by step, they are influenced by each other (not just the mc, but other characters as well: they exist even when the mc isn't present). They're weak, and powerless, but they learn to be brave. They find a way to fight : maybe they don't become martial artists overnight, but each one of them develops their own method to survive in their fucked up life.
If they need to study better, they ask their friends and teacher for help. If they need to fight, they do so for the sake of protecting themselves and what is important to them : family, friends, a cause.
None of them are made as a gear to move the plot forward, they're their own characters. And they have clichés. They have stereotypical behaviours, and maybe even look stereotypical. But even so, they're not making it their only personality trait : they're complex, and flawed, and make mistakes.
And it's beautiful.
Oh god I love this story dearly.
