Friendly Rivalry

A Gripping but Flawed School Drama

I aim to keep my reviews short, spoiler-free, and focused on the key points to help you decide if a drama is worth your time. I never fast-forward and always strive to watch the entire series to give a fair and thorough perspective.

This drama presents a fast-paced narrative, with each episode running around 30 minutes. It ambitiously tackles various pressing themes in modern school life, from academic pressure and bullying to toxic competition, privilege, and the exploration of students' sexuality. While viewers shouldn’t expect a romance, there are moments of sexual tension woven into the story.

From the very first episode, the show sets a dark and intense tone, drawing viewers in with its suspenseful atmosphere. It explores controversial topics such as the pressures of elite education, the blurred lines between mentorship and manipulation, and the hidden power struggles among students. The complexity of relationships, both among peers and within families, is a strong focus, showcasing the weight of societal expectations on young minds.

The drama particularly shines in its portrayal of power dynamics. The so-called “queen” of the school is a fascinating character, whose true intentions remain ambiguous throughout much of the series. The protagonist’s gradual entanglement in a dangerous game of control keeps the tension high, making it difficult to discern who is truly in charge.

However, while the show does a great job of building intrigue and exploring heavy themes, it stumbles in some areas. Certain plot developments feel exaggerated, especially regarding the depiction of substance abuse or in a medical context. Some narrative twists, while shocking, lack credibility and may leave viewers questioning the plausibility of certain events.

As the story progresses, multiple arcs converge into a more complex mystery. While this adds to the suspense, the show struggles to tie all its elements together seamlessly. The final episodes, in particular, feel rushed and somewhat disjointed, leading to an unsatisfying resolution.

Despite its flaws, the drama boasts strong performances and a gripping atmosphere. It dares to address difficult subjects, which sets it apart from more conventional school dramas. However, its ambition sometimes outweighs its execution, resulting in an experience that is engaging but ultimately frustrating. If you're looking for a drama with an intense and thought-provoking premise, this one delivers, but be prepared for a narration and a conclusion that may leave you confused and/or unsatisfied.

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Absolute Perfection

Where do I ever begin to describe how beautiful and amazing this show is? It is the definition of perfection.
From the first second I found out about this show I was hooked. My expectations were so high for it. My anticipation boiling. When the first batch of episodes released 4 weeks ago, I knew this was something truly special. And as the episodes have gone on, that thought became cemented.
To say I was obsessed with this show would be an understatement. Every Sunday to Wednesday was defined and controlled by this show. The sheer amount of edits I have saved about Friendly Rivalry is scary; yet it proves just how much it matters to me.
Everyone involved in this show is so so talented. I was in awe of the quality of acting and cinematography. Everything was perfect. Hyeri and Su-bin deserves all the praise and love for their outstanding acting in this. Their portrayals of Jae-yi and Seul-gi leave me speechless; I am in complete shock with just how well they brought these characters to life. Their characters truly proved that you do not need intimate scenes to make a perfect love story.
Now that Friendly Rivalry has ended, I am know able to fully see how much of a cinematic masterpiece the show is. It is one of the few shows that have made me care this much. I have shed thousands of tears over it. And now that there is no more, I honestly feel empty knowing that I can never experience this perfection for the first time again. But, I know for a fact that I will be rewatching this show until I die, loving every single second of doing so.
Jae-yi and Seul-gi's story is one that will forever hold a special place in my heart.

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best kdrama of the year

The way that I didn’t even know what it was actually about but I got hooked and watched it in 3 days it’s pretty crazy the storyline and acting was top tier I could feel all their emotions and was just so fun to watch I’m so glad that it was like this and I hope there’s a season 2 . Honestly I’m not a big fan of rewatching things but this show makes me want to relive the emotions and be happy. The charm of friendly rivalry lies in its ability to inspire growth without the harshness of cutthroat competition. Whether in sports, professional settings, or creative endeavors, this rivalry encourages individuals to challenge each other constructively, offering both a sense of accomplishment and shared joy. The best part is that it fosters a healthy competitive spirit where both sides can celebrate victories and learn from losses, making the experience enriching on multiple levels.

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Would recommend tbh

lots of mixed reviews and opinions about this one. But I would defo recommend it!
Overall I enjoyed the show, thought it was brilliant. I just really hope there is a season two coming out! It would be highly disappointing if this is not the case.
The story line itself is quite complicated and quite a rollocoster, but if you like K-drama and Gl then I would say it's a must watch ♡

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SEASON 2 please

Me encantó la serie, muy buen drama, la fotografía igual, el marketing que le dan a la serie, los actores, Hyeri y Subin cada vez me sorprenden más, me gusta y de verdad se los recomiendo…no se van aburrir. Woo Seul Gi creció en un orfanato en una provincia. Se muda a Seúl y se matricula en la escuela secundaria Chaehwa, que es una escuela para el 1% de los mejores estudiantes de Corea del Sur. Woo Seul Gi no se lleva bien con los otros estudiantes. Una estudiante llamada Yoo Je Yi se acerca a ella y se hacen amigas.

Yoo Je Yi es la estudiante más poderoso de la escuela. Tiene un coeficiente intelectual alto, proviene de una familia adinerada y es atractiva físicamente. Ha vivido siendo la envidia de los demás desde que nació y es consciente de su superioridad. También es lo suficientemente astuta como para saber aprovechar su posición. Ella muestra especial interés en la estudiante transferido Woo Seul Gi. Pronto desarrollan una peligrosa relación entre amistad y obsesión

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Unexpected

At first I thought the story would be something casual, but the topic was heavier than I expected. You see teenagers trying so hard to be the best that they even resort to choices they wouldn't normally make if they weren't under the pressure of the strict grading system and the high expectations of adults. They all cross lines one way or another, and I believe this was presented to us very well. The acting is good, and so is the storyline.
And I kind of did expect this to be a GL, so I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't really get to see the two main characters, Je I and Seul Gi, get together. You only saw hints of it, but I still think the series is worth watching.

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