Friendly Rivalry

Friendly Rivalry places a group of ambitious teenage girls in a relentless contest that feels like a gauntlet worse than any exam. Set within a polished but brutal high school world, the series follows Yoo Je-yi and her closest ally Woo Seul-gi as their friendship buckles under suspicion, secrecy, and competing loyalties. The stakes are intimate as well as external: grades long behind, reputations on the line, and a hidden ruleset that rewards cunning over conformity. Through brisk dialogue and taut pacing, the show tracks how trust frays when survival demands choices that blur the line between ally and adversary. Every alliance carries a risk and every hint raises a question.

Directed by Kim Tae-hee and created by Song Chae-yun with Min Ye-ji, Friendly Rivalry premiered in 2025. The series blends mystery driven storytelling with teenage drama, anchored by a strong young cast.

Initial reception has been favorable, with an average score of 8.685 out of 10 from 84 votes, signaling strong audience interest. Critics highlight tight plotting and nuanced depictions of female friendship under pressure, where loyalty is tested and moral lines shift.