It's definitely not a drag! If you're anything like I was when I started, it will take a lot of work to get the basic moves right. There are reasons for how each technique is performed, so it's important to understand them. Your form noticeably improves the more you practice. Martial arts are one of those things that you naturally improve at the longer you do it.

Plus most classes will mix up the basics with other stuff like forms and different kinds of sparring, so you won't spend the whole time doing repetitive exercises.