Popular webtoon gets 'Kick-Ass'-style screen adaptation

Tving original series "Study Group" will bring the wildly popular Naver Webtoon of the same name to life, fusing quirky character dynamics with a vibrant visual style, according to director Lee Jang-hoon on Wednesday.
The 10-episode series follows Ga-min (Hwang Min-hyun), an academic underachiever in a school where one's social ranking is determined by physical prowess. Amid the chaos of school life, Ga-min, who comes to find that he excels in combat, embarks on an unrelenting quest to improve his academic performance.
The director points to Ga-min’s unique character as the series' magnetic core, noting the character's unorthodox approach to life and its challenges.
"Instead of viewing every problem as complicated, this character approaches matters with a very simple mindset, without prolonged frustration or despair. That reflects a part of me — I want to be like that," Lee shared in a group interview.
"This character represents my desire to think that way, which makes me feel that I not only want to be like them in real life, but also wish I had someone like them by my side."
One of the most compelling aspects of Ga-min’s character, according to Lee, is his lack of personal growth throughout the series, a subversion of traditional protagonist arcs.
"Usually, protagonists are defined by their flaws or trauma, and their journey is about growth. But Ga-min doesn’t change at all," Lee said. "Yet, despite his static nature, the story remains anything but boring. His impact sparks growth and change in the people around him."

Stylishly designed, "Study Group" features cartoon-like animations and an energetic hip-hop soundtrack that infuse the series with a dynamic, youthful vibe. Lee revealed that the project drew inspiration from the 2010 Hollywood action film "Kick-Ass," capturing its bold energy, vibrant art direction and punchy editing rhythms.
"Our goal was to create a series saturated in vivid, high-impact colors, with action sequences that are stylish," Lee said, noting that he wanted to craft a visually arresting, high-energy tone that kept the momentum of the series lively and engaging.
Addressing potential concerns about the glorification of violence in dramas set in school, Lee emphasized that the portrayal of such moments in "Study Group" is intentionally exaggerated and fantastical.
"School dramas often revolve around bullying and student violence, and, for me, they were emotionally exhausting to watch. Personally, I’ve always found these elements difficult to endure, which is why I never had much fondness for school dramas," Lee said. "With 'Study Group,' however, the violence and such situations feel so exaggerated and unrealistic that it became easier to watch without feeling emotionally drained."
Lee clarified that the series is not intended to deliver any sort of heavy-handed social commentary or address real-world issues. Instead, "Study Group" was designed purely for entertainment.
"If viewers approach the series with an open mind, free from preconceived notions, and simply enjoy the characters and the story, they’ll find themselves saying, 'Oh, it’s already over' before they even realize it," he said. "I believe 'Study Group' offers a form of entertainment that provides a bit of a relief from the harsh realities we’re all facing right now."
"Study Group" premieres on Tving on Thursday.
