Friendly Rivalry Movie Review

Information about the movie Friendly Rivalry

Directed by Kim Tae-hee and written by Kim Tae-hee and Min Ye-ji, Friendly Rivalry (original title: 선의의 경쟁) is a haunting psychological thriller that realistically portrays the dark side of competition in a school environment. The film is set at Chaehwa Girls' High School, a prestigious academy where only the top 1% of students in Korea have the opportunity to attend.

With a talented cast including Hyeri, Chung Su Bin, and Kang Hye Won, Friendly Rivalry is not only a story about school but also a picture reflecting the pressure and loneliness of youth in modern society. Each episode lasts 30 minutes, airing from Monday to Thursday on U+mobiletv, promising to bring viewers moments of tension, surprise, and deep reflection.

Original name: 선의의 경쟁.

Director: Kim Tae Hee.

Screenwriters: Song Chae Yoon, Sim Jae Young, Kim Tae Hee, Min Ye Ji.

Broadcaster: U+mobiletv.

Genre: Psychological.

Air date: 10/2/2025 - 6/3/2025.

Showtimes: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

Cast: Hyeri, Chung Su Bin, Kang Hye Won.

Duration: 30 minutes.

"Friendly Rivalry" is not just a film about youth and school, but a colorful picture of competition, mystery, and the ups and downs of teenage emotions. Exploited with a fresh and unique perspective, the film takes viewers on the journey of Woo Seul-gi, a young girl who faces challenges not only from her grades, but also from secrets buried in her past.

Old content but exploited in a new and unique direction

Friendly Rivalry: Episode 1 (First Impressions) » Dramabeans — Old content but exploited in a new and unique direction

Seul-gi, a transfer student to Chaehwa Girls' High School, quickly becomes the center of attention. But her classmates' curiosity extends beyond her looks and academic achievements. As Seul-gi begins to uncover the mystery surrounding the suspicious death of her father—a former college admissions committee member—she finds herself in a maze of jealousy, obsession, and unexpected alliances.

The film delicately depicts the emotional turmoil of teenage girls. From admiration to jealousy, from friendship to obsession, each character has their own story, driven by the intense pressure of the college admissions race. "Friendly Rivalry" is not only a story of competition, but also a journey of self-discovery, facing the past, and searching for truth in a world full of insecurities.

With a tight script, excellent acting, and creative storytelling, "Friendly Rivalry" creates a film that is both engaging and profound. The film is not only for those who have experienced high school, but also a reminder of the dark side of competition and the value of honesty, friendship, and courage.

Outstanding performance by the cast

Hyeri Discusses 'Friendly Rivalry' Role — Outstanding performance by the cast

"Friendly Rivalry" not only impressed with its engaging plot but also won over the audience with the excellent performances of the cast. Each character is vividly portrayed, bringing realistic and complex emotions, making it impossible for viewers to take their eyes off.

Hyeri, with her extensive acting experience, brought a deep Yoo Jae Yi. Her character is the embodiment of perfection – talented, beautiful, and admired by everyone. However, the appearance of Woo Seul Ki changed Jae Yi’s world, stirring up competition and revealing hidden corners of her personality. Hyeri excellently portrayed the psychological transformation from a confident girl to an obsessive and insecure person. The audience will see a new side of Hyeri – both pitiful and blameworthy, but always sympathetic.

Jung Soo Bin plays Woo Seul Ki, a transfer student with many mysteries. She is caught up in the secret ambitions of her friends and has to face the secret of her father's death. Soo Bin successfully portrays a character with a rich emotional range, from strength and determination to moments of weakness and fragility. Her performance allows the audience to not only accompany Seul Ki on her journey to find the truth, but also feel deep sympathy for what she goes through.

Oh Woo Ri brought to life a haunted and introspective Choi Kyung. Kyung is a hard-working but second-rate student, and the presence of Woo Seul Ki makes her feel insecure and doubtful of her own abilities. Woo Ri brilliantly portrayed the character's inner struggles, from rivalry to moments of self-questioning and heartbreak. Her performance made the audience feel sorry for and understand the pressures Kyung faced.

Create fierce competition between the two main characters

The film successfully builds a dramatic confrontation between the two main characters Yoo Je-i and Woo Seul-gi. The contrast between them lies not only in their personalities and circumstances, but also in how they face the thin lines between good and evil.

Yoo Je-i, played by Hyeri, is the embodiment of perfection. She is number one, a talented student, beautiful, and admired by everyone. But Je-i's perfection is not only an inspiration, but also a wall that separates her from the world around her. In the trailer, she is described as "number one who can't even be jealous," a phrase that evokes both admiration and isolation.

However, beneath that perfect exterior lies a complex person. Je-i's smile in the poster is a delicate balance between angelic innocence and a sinister, manipulative tone. This ambiguity makes it impossible for the audience to predict her true intentions. Is Je-i a true friend, or is she hiding a scheming plan?

Opposing Je-i is Woo Seul-gi, played by Jung Soo Bin. Seul-gi is a transfer student with many mysteries and a haunted past. She is described as "the number one survivor trying to survive," a phrase that evokes resilience and determination, but also loneliness and insecurity.

Seul-gi not only has to deal with the pressure of school, but also the secret of her father's death. She gets caught up in the secret ambitions of her friends, and struggles to find the truth. Jung Soo Bin's acting successfully portrays a character with a rich emotional range, from strength to weakness and fragility.

With excellent performances from Lee Hye Ri and Jung Soo Bin, Friendly Rivalry creates a compelling pair of characters. Hye Ri, as Yoo Jae Yi, brings a character that is both proud and vulnerable, while Soo Bin, as Woo Seul Gi, shows admirable strength and determination. The tension between the two characters is not only a battle for power but also a struggle between friendship and jealousy, between ambition and morality.

Yoo Je-i and Woo Seul-gi. The contrast between them lies not only in their personalities and circumstances, but also in how they face the thin lines between good and evil.

Friendly Rivalry Movie Review

Hyeri and Jung Soo-bin have a Friendly Rivalry in promos — Friendly Rivalry Movie Review

“Friendly Rivalry” is an emotional and dramatic drama that explores the fierce competition in the world of high school and complex themes such as identity, jealousy, love, and betrayal. The excellent acting of Lee Hye Ri (Yoo Je-i) and Jung Soo Bin (Woo Seul-gi) creates a tense confrontation that combines youthful frailty and naive ambition. With a suspenseful plot and delicately developed characters, the film promises to bring a deep and memorable cinematic experience.

Friendly Rivalry movie content

250115 'Friendly Rivalry' Characters Still Reveal - Hyeri & Chung Soobin | kpopping — Friendly Rivalry movie content

"Friendly Rivalry" is a film that realistically reflects the harsheducation system in Korea, where grades determine the future and create enormous pressure. Set at Chaehwa Girls' High School for elite students, the film tells the story of Woo Seul Ki—an orphan girl who enters a competitive world full of traps. She confronts Yoo Je Yi, the top student of the school with a perfect appearance but hidden secrets. The competition between them is not only about academics but also a tense battle of wits, pushing the line between friends and rivals to a fragile level. Through this, the film raises profound questions about the value of success and the true meaning of youth.