Season 1 Plot
Woo Seul-gi grew up in an orphanage out in a province. She moves to Seoul and enrolls in Chaehwa High School, which is a school for the top 1% students in South Korea. Woo Seul-gi doesn’t get along with the other students. A student named Yoo Je-i approaches her and they become friends. Yoo Ja-i is the most powerful student in the school. She has a high IQ, comes from a wealthy family background, and is attractive physically. She has lived as the envy of other people since she was born and she is aware of her superiority. She is also cunning enough to know how to take advantage of her position. She shows special interest in transfer student Woo Seul-gi. They soon develop a dangerous relationship between friendship and obsession.
Friendly Rivalry Season 1 aired on February 10th, 2025.
Season 1 Episodes
1. Episode 1
After living in a orphanage, Woo Seul-gi transfers to a top-ranking school hoping to find her father - and soon catches the eye of a popular student.
2. Episode 2
Facing a heartbreaking discovery, Seul-gi struggles to adjust to her demanding schoolwork, while her background makes her a target of bullyng.
3. Episode 3
Yu Je-i continues to show kindness towards Seul-gi and invites her to her private study space, drawing the two girls closer together.
4. Episode 4
A furious Choi Gyung becomes suspicious when Je-i nominates Seul-gi as class monitor. Ju Ye-ri overhears a conversation about Je-i's former seatmate.
5. Episode 5
While Seul-gi finds details of her family history on Je-i's phone, Choi Gyung looks into the connection between the two girls'past.
6. Episode 6
Students take drastic measures to beat the stress of midterms. Choi Gyung shares a discovery with Seul-gi, causing them to question Je-i's intentions.
7. Episode 7
Ye-ri makes a deal with Je-i's father, Yu Tae-jun, by using his secret against him. Seul-gi worries about a healt checkup following her exams.
8. Episode 8
Ye-ri steals Seul-gi's father's phone. As she tries to unlock it, the rest of the students head to the school festival.
9. Episode 9
An attack at the festival causes panic at the school. Je-i comes to face with a figure from her past as they fight over the stolen cellphone.
10. Episode 10
As the police investigate the school's drug problem, Seul-gi comes under suspicion. Je-i makes a deal while seeking to help Seul-gi.
11. Episode 11
Struggling to find Yu Je-na, Je-i decides to frame her for dealing, hoping the police will be able to locate her before their father does.
12. Episode 12
A traumatic discovery leaves Je-i in a vulnerable state. Feeling uncertain over the situation, a suspicious Seul-gi looks for answers.
13. Episode 13
While attending a funeral, Seul-gi suspects foul play. Her search foe evidence leads to a grim connection between her father and Tae-jun.
14. Episode 14
With the help of Seul-gi, Je-i uses hidden cameras to spy on her parents, hoping to find a witness who can assist with the court case.
15. Episode 15
Je-i and Seul-gi take drastic steps when their ranks slide after a big test. Byeong-jin pressures Choi Gyung into taking pills to maintain her grades.
16. Episode 16
Leading up to the exam, Je-i and Seul-gi craft a final, defiant plan - but there are high risks for everyone involved.
