In early 2024, it was reported that a webtoon titled Friendly Competition (Friendly Rivalry) would be adapted into a K-Drama.
Friendly Competition tells the story of Yoo Jei, a wealthy student with a high IQ who befriends a new student, Woo Seul Gi. Written by Song Chae Yoon, the webtoon shows how the friendship between the two girls develops into an obsession.
The webtoon includes topics like drug use and self-harm, meaning the series will likely carry a 19+ rating.
Girl’s Day’s Hyeri plays Jei, while actress Chung Su Bin will star as Seul Gi. Also cast in the series are Oh Woo Ri as Choi Kyung and Kang Hye Won as Joo Yeri, friends of Jei with their own issues, while GOT7‘s Youngjae was announced for a yet-to-be-disclosed role.
The first look at the series was released in mid-January and showed interactions between the two leads.
These and more recently released clips show Jei and Seul Gi’s somewhat unnerving interactions, with Jei consistently appearing to scare Seul Gi with her intensity at times. The previews also give a glimpse at the academic setting fueling the series.
The clip was shared on X recently, where it went viral. A Korean tweet featuring the latest teaser currently has over 2.8 million views.
혜리가 집착광공 레즈로 나온다는 사실이 믿기지 않는 것 같아 … pic.twitter.com/5lRncL2oLV
— 자연눈물 (@tearsinnature) January 22, 2025
Even with the possibility of the series losing LGBT+ elements like other adaptations have done, many have expressed interested in a show with female characters like these.
seated for friendly rivalry omg??? obsessed hyeri??? and it’s a GL too?????? 😳
pic.twitter.com/AqgQJC7ChQ
— 김 (@soshirevelae) January 22, 2025
FINALLYYYYY A GL WITH A THRILLER/OBSESSIVE TOXIC RELATIONSHIP VIBE https://t.co/tou5PeJqyU
— momo (@jylssoup) January 23, 2025
if the show is just centered about them without any male love interest im seated even if its a not gl tbh https://t.co/l0MoJuuQ5T
— Jayy (@intosapph) January 22, 2025
