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Master of Study

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Master of Studies.
Master of Study
Promotional poster
Hangul
공부의 신
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGongbu-eui Sin
McCune–ReischauerKongbuŭi Sin
GenreTeen
Based onDragon Zakura
by Norifusa Mita
Written byYoon Kyung-ah
Directed byYoo Hyun-ki
StarringKim Soo-ro
Bae Doona
Oh Yoon-ah
Yoo Seung-ho
Go Ah-sung
Lee Hyun-woo
Park Ji-yeon
Lee Chan-ho
Opening theme"Dreams Come True" by 4Minute[1]
Ending theme"Dreams Come True"
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languagesKorean
English
No. of episodes16
Production
Production locationsSuwon, Busan
Running time70 minutes on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 (KST)
Production companyDrama House
Original release
NetworkKorean Broadcasting System
ReleaseJanuary 4 (2010-01-04) –
February 23, 2010 (2010-02-23)
Related
Dragon Zakura

Master of Study (Korean: 공부의 신; Hanja: 工夫의 神; RR: Gongbu-eui Sin; lit. God of Study or Lord of Study) is a South Korean television series that aired on KBS2 from January 4 to February 23, 2010 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 16 episodes. It stars Kim Soo-ro, Bae Doona, Oh Yoon-ah, Yoo Seung-ho, Go Ah-sung, Lee Hyun-woo, Park Ji-yeon, and Lee Chan-ho.[2][3]

Based on the Japanese comic series Dragon Zakura, it is about a determined lawyer who takes up a teaching position at a failing high school. To save the school from the ax, he comes up with the unconventional plan of starting a special class curriculum devoted to getting five students into the country's top university.[4]

Master Of Study achieved nationwide, as well as international success, topping ratings during its 2-month run and scoring multiple nods in different local and overseas awards ceremonies. The series is also one of KBS's most watched series online.[5]

Synopsis

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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,[6] to help them prepare for Cheonha University.[7][8]

Cast

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Main

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 오봉구
He grew up in a meat restaurant, and his parents don't 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

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Production

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This was Kim Su-ro's first leading role in a television drama (he had previously appeared mainly in films).[13] 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.[7]

Dragon Zakura creator/artist Norifusa Mita complimented the show, saying, "It is energetic and entertaining. The characters have depth. I am satisfied."[14][15] The popular manga was also turned into a 2005 TBS drama series in Japan.

Release

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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

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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.[citation needed]

Ratings

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Master of Study scored solid ratings since its premiere and eventually became the top-rated show in its Monday and Tuesday evening time slot.[16][17] 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.[18]

Episode Broadcast date TNS Ratings AGB Ratings
Nationwide Seoul region Nationwide Seoul region
Ep. 1 January 4, 2010 15.1% 15.8% 13.4% 14.0%
Ep. 2 January 5, 2010 18.5% 19.3% 15.9% 17.0%
Ep. 3 January 11, 2010 23.1% 23.1% 21.2% 22.0%
Ep. 4 January 12, 2010 26.3% 26.7% 23.5% 23.9%
Ep. 5 January 18, 2010 25.9% 26.0% 23.2% 23.8%
Ep. 6 January 19, 2010 24.2% 24.3% 23.5% 23.9%
Ep. 7 January 25, 2010 24.6% 25.0% 21.7% 21.2%
Ep. 8 January 26, 2010 24.7% 24.5% 22.8% 22.5%
Ep. 9 February 1, 2010 24.3% 24.3% 21.4% 21.2%
Ep. 10 February 2, 2010 22.6% 22.6% 22.0% 24.5%
Ep. 11 February 8, 2010 23.2% 22.8% 22.5% 22.6%
Ep. 12 February 9, 2010 23.7% 23.9% 22.9% 22.3%
Ep. 13 February 15, 2010 21.3% 21.6% 20.6% 19.1%
Ep. 14 February 16, 2010 24.2% 23.5% 22.5% 22.2%
Ep. 15 February 22, 2010 25.0% 25.7% 23.2% 22.0%
Ep. 16 February 23, 2010 26.2% 26.8% 25.5% 25.3%
Average Ratings 23.3% 23.5% 21.6% 21.7%

Impact and legacy

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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.[citation needed]

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

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Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2010
46th Baeksang Arts Awards
 Actor Excellence Award - TV Kim Su-ro Nominated [19]
Best New Director - TV Yoo Hyun-ki Won
Best New Actor - TV Yoo Seung-ho Nominated
Best New Actress - TV Go Ah-sung Nominated
Male Popularity Award - TV Kim Su-ro Nominated
Yoo Seung-ho Nominated
Female Popularity Award - TV Park Ji-yeon Nominated
Go Ah-sung Nominated
3rd Korea Drama Awards
 Best Actor Kim Su-ro Nominated
KBS Drama Awards
 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Yoo Seung-ho Nominated
Kim Su-ro Won
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Bae Doona Nominated
Oh Yoon-ah Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Byun Hee-bong Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Im Ji-eun Nominated
Best New Actress Go Ah-sung Nominated
Park Ji-yeon Nominated
Netizens' Award, Actor Yoo Seung-ho Nominated
Netizens' Award, Actress Bae Doona Nominated
Best Couple Award Yoo Seung-ho and Park Ji-yeon Nominated
DramaBeans Awards
 Breakout Performance of The Year Go Ah-sung Nominated [20]
Lee Hyun-woo Nominated
Best Use of an Idol Star Park Ji-yeon Nominated
Korea Best Dressed Swan Awards
 Best Dressed, TV Actor category Yoo Seung-ho Won [21]

References

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  1. ^ Hong, Lucia (1 December 2010). "4minute invited to sing for drama event in Japan". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  2. ^ Jin, Yeong-ju (30 December 2009). "Teen Stars to Play Leads in Master of Study". KBS Global. Retrieved 2012-11-18.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Wee, Geun-woo (5 February 2010). "Master of Study set reveals it truly has achieved it all". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  4. ^ Oh, Jean (4 January 2010). "Six dramas revamping 2010 lineup". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  5. ^ [ENG] Master of Study Ep.1: Poor lawyer goes to Byeongmun High!, retrieved 2023-02-09
  6. ^ Choi, Ji-eun (16 January 2010). "Hwang Baek-hyun VS Hong Chan-doo: Comparison of characters from KBS TV series Master of Study". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  7. ^ a b Wee, Geun-woo (5 January 2010). "PREVIEW: KBS TV series God of Study". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  8. ^ Yoon, Hee-seong (24 February 2010). "REVIEW: Master of Study - Final episode". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  9. ^ Han, Sang-hee (5 January 2010). "Heroines Line Up for Dramas in 2010". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  10. ^ Kim, Kyo-seok (11 February 2010). "REVIEW: Master of Study - Episode 12". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  11. ^ Wee, Geun-woo (22 February 2010). "INTERVIEW: Actor Lee Hyun-woo - Part 1". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  12. ^ Wee, Geun-woo (22 February 2010). "INTERVIEW: Actor Lee Hyun-woo - Part 2". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  13. ^ Han, Sang-hee (29 December 2009). "TV Dramas to Look Forward to in 2010". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  14. ^ Lim, Hye-seon (29 January 2010). "Master of Study creator compliments Korean TV series". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  15. ^ Kim, Lynn (1 February 2010). "Master of Study creator meets with TV series cast". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  16. ^ Kim, Lynn (13 January 2010). "God of Study scores highest rating in its time slot". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  17. ^ Kim, Lynn (17 February 2010). "Master of Study most-watched Mon-Tue night show". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  18. ^ Kim, Lynn (24 February 2010). "Master of Study proudly exits small screen". 10Asia. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  19. ^ "공부의 신". movie.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  20. ^ "2010 Beanie Awards: Vote for your favorite dramas of the year » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps". Dramabeans. 2010-12-09. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  21. ^ 제26회 코리아 베스트드레서 백조상. Newstown (in Korean). 15 December 2010.
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