Master of Study

Synopsis

When scrappy and abrasive lawyer Kang Suk-ho is put in charge of the liquidating Byung Moon High School, he sees his own troubled past in the problematic students who live their lives with no dreams. He then offers to teach them and proclaims that he will get five students accepted into Cheonha University, the most prestigious college in the country. Earnest English teacher Han Soo-jung, who believes that the purpose of education is not about getting into a good college, likewise initially objects to Suk-ho's teaching methods and motivations. But he establishes a special class for the five delinquent students, including Hwang Baek-hyun, who bumps heads right away with Suk-ho, to help them prepare for Cheonha University.

Cast

Main

• Kim Soo-ro as Kang Suk-ho () : He is a lawyer who is put in charge of the liquidating Byung Moon High School. He is initially unwilling to do so, but he recalls the help he received during his time at Byung Moon High, which helped him change from a delinquent teenager who frequently fought, into a relatively successful person in society. Thus, he comes up with the plan of setting up a "special class" that aims to get students into Cheonha University to improve the school's reputation. He also intends to reform the teaching staff at the school. : His proposals are met with stiff resistance from the staff, the parents and the students of the school. However, his headstrong attitude manages to push through his reforms, and he eventually manages to help the five students from the special class achieve high grades in the college entrance examination.
• Bae Doona as Han Soo-jung () : An English teacher at Byung Moon High School. She gets tricked into becoming a teaching assistant of the special class, though she later becomes very passionate about this responsibility.
• Oh Yoon-ah as Jang Ma-ri () : The principal of the school, after the previous principal (who is also her father), is hospitalized. She reluctantly allows Suk-ho to set up a special class under strict conditions after he threatens that her financial indiscretions would come to light. Later, she takes over Soo-jung's classes to concentrate her duties as an assistant to the special class. Eventually, she starts to develop a crush on Suk-ho. After he leaves the school, she sets up a "special, special class" that is modeled after his special class idea.
• Yoo Seung-ho as Hwang Baek-hyun () : He has lived with his grandmother in a poor house ever since his parents died. He is a bad student (Koltong), but after he studies in the special class with the help of Kang Suk-ho, he slowly realizes his potential. Later, he goes to Tae Pyeong University to study to be a doctor.
• Go Ah-sung as Gil Pul-ip () :She grew up with a single parent, and has problems with her mother who loves a married man. A hardworking student, she enters the top university, Cheonha University.
• Lee Hyun-woo as Hong Chan-doo () : He loves dancing, but faces opposition from his father who wants him to study abroad. Later, his father finally relents, and Hong Chan-doo chooses to give up college to pursue dance.
• Park Ji-yeon as Na Hyun-jung () : She has a crush on Hwang Baek-hyun. When she finds out that he loves Gil Pul-ip, she loses her way for a short time. However, she comes back to the special class and eventually pursues her love for drawing.
• Lee Chan-ho as Oh Bong-goo () : He grew up in a meat restaurant, and his parents do not really care about his education. The actual reason that he joined the special class was to get rid of the bullying caused by his appearance. Later, he enters Cheonha University.

Supporting

• Byun Hee-bong as Cha Ki-bong
• Lee Byung-joon as Anthony Yang
• Im Ji-eun as Lee Eun-yoo
• Ko Joo-yeon as Lee Ye-ji
• Shim Hyung-tak as Jang Young-shik
• Park Chil-yong as Ha Sang-gil
• Lee Dal-hyung as Park Nam
• Im Sung-min as Bae Young-sook
• Kim Young-ok as Lee Boon-yi
• Bang Eun-hee as Han Ae-shim
• Kim Ha-kyun as Oh Dal-shik
• Park Chul-ho as Hong Choong-shik
• Koo Hye-ryung as Hwang Geum-joo
• Kang Yi-seul as Kim Jung-hee
• Park Hwi-soon as Sa Do-chul
• T-ara as cameo (ep 7, 8, 10)
• Jeon Ji-hoo as supporting
• Hong Il-kwon

Production

This was Kim Soo-ro's first leading role in a television drama (he had previously appeared mainly in films). Kim, who played a humanistic teacher in the film Our School's E.T., yet plays a completely opposite role as Kang Suk-ho in Master of Study, said that "both methods are correct. Kang Suk-ho's method is appropriate for the children in the drama, who want to prove themselves by getting into a good school." He added that the show is not about the obvious cliché—that high school seniors must study for college, but rather about taking on the challenge of getting into the top school just to get back at the credential-obsessed society.

Dragon Zakura creator/artist Norifusa Mita complimented the show, saying, "It is energetic and entertaining. The characters have depth. I am satisfied." The popular manga was also turned into a 2005 TBS drama series in Japan.

Release

The drama premiered in South Korea on January 4, 2010. It received a nationwide rating of 15,1%.

The drama was released in 2 DVD box sets in Japan, the first DVD-Box1 on November 19, 2010, and the second DVD-Box2 on December 3, 2010, by Culture Publishers. Each DVD-BOX is a set of 4 discs.

Critical reception

People's Daily praised the drama for achieved cultural penetration and artistic subversion especially considering that it's a remake. It also pointed that despite the strong "comedy color" of the show, the specific learning methods still have a positive impact on the audience.

Ratings

Master of Study scored solid ratings since its premiere and eventually became the top-rated show in its Monday and Tuesday evening time slot. According to daily statistics released by research firms TNS Media Korea and AGB Nielsen Media Research, the drama scored national viewership ratings of 26.8 and 25.1 percent, respectively, for its final episode, the highest ratings the show recorded during its two-month airing.

Impact and legacy

The show became a huge success, especially in South East Asia, mostly loved for its "school theme". The show became an incentive for students, mainly high school students. People's Daily reported that the TV series had a strong impact on many children and students suddenly become interested in studying.

KBS's official YouTube channel KBS World released the full series on YouTube on 2015. It has amassed over 20,000,000 views since — making it one of the channel's most watched dramas.

Awards and nominations

References

References

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2. Jin, Yeong-ju. (December 30, 2009). "Teen Stars to Play Leads in ''Master of Study''". KBS Global.
3. Wee, Geun-woo. (February 5, 2010). "''Master of Study'' set reveals it truly has achieved it all".
4. Oh, Jean. (January 4, 2010). "Six dramas revamping 2010 lineup". [[The Korea Herald]].
5. "[ENG] Master of Study Ep.1: Poor lawyer goes to Byeongmun High!".
6. Choi, Ji-eun. (January 16, 2010). "Hwang Baek-hyun VS Hong Chan-doo: Comparison of characters from KBS TV series ''Master of Study''". 10Asia.
7. Wee, Geun-woo. (January 5, 2010). "PREVIEW: KBS TV series ''God of Study''". 10Asia.
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9. Han, Sang-hee. (January 5, 2010). "Heroines Line Up for Dramas in 2010". [[The Korea Times]].
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12. Wee, Geun-woo. (February 22, 2010). "INTERVIEW: Actor Lee Hyun-woo - Part 2". 10Asia.
13. Han, Sang-hee. (December 29, 2009). "TV Dramas to Look Forward to in 2010". [[The Korea Times]].
14. Lim, Hye-seon. (January 29, 2010). "''Master of Study'' creator compliments Korean TV series". 10Asia.
15. Kim, Lynn. (February 1, 2010). "''Master of Study'' creator meets with TV series cast". 10Asia.
16. Kim, Lynn. (January 13, 2010). "''God of Study'' scores highest rating in its time slot". 10Asia.
17. Kim, Lynn. (February 17, 2010). "''Master of Study'' most-watched Mon-Tue night show". 10Asia.
18. Kim, Lynn. (February 24, 2010). "''Master of Study'' proudly exits small screen". 10Asia.
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