Is “Friendly Rivalry” Based On A Webtoon?

You know that feeling when you start a new drama, telling yourself you’ll watch just one episode? And then—WHAM!—it’s 3 a.m., and you’ve emotionally committed your entire existence to it? Yeah, that’s exactly what happened to me with Friendly Rivalry. It’s got mind games, school politics, and a friendship so complicated that calling it a “rivalry” feels like an understatement.

Now, if you’re anything like me, you probably found yourself asking: Wait, was this masterpiece ripped from the pages of a webtoon? And the answer? Oh, absolutely.

From Webtoon To K-Drama Magic

Yes, Friendly Rivalry is adapted from a webtoon of the same name by Song Chae-yoon and Shim Jae-young. And trust me, this isn’t just any adaptation—it’s a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat emotional rollercoaster.

The original webtoon had fans hooked with its unpredictable twists, intense mind battles, and characters you simultaneously love and fear. With K-dramas constantly dipping into the webtoon pool (True Beauty, Sweet Home, Weak Hero Class 1—need I say more?), this adaptation was inevitable.

A High-Stakes Tale Of Friendship And Betrayal

Imagine this: Woo Seul-gi, a brilliant but underprivileged student, lands a golden ticket into the ultra-prestigious Chaehwa High School.

Sounds like a dream? Think again. Wrong.

She takes Seul-gi under her wing, but before you can say “besties,” it becomes clear that this friendship is more chess match than sleepover party.

Enter Yoo Je-yi, the school’s queen bee. She’s got brains, beauty, and a scary amount of influence. She takes Seul-gi under her wing, but before you can say “besties,” it becomes clear that this friendship is more chess match than sleepover party.

There are secrets. There are betrayals. And let’s be honest—someone’s going to get emotionally wrecked (most likely us viewers).

Meet The Power Players Of Friendly Rivalry

• Woo Seul-gi, played by Chung Su-bin – Our girl Seul-gi is no pushover. She may have come from an orphanage, but she’s got resilience, brains, and a growing awareness that in this school, trust is a luxury she can’t afford.
• Yoo Je-yi, played by Lee Hye-ri – If Jang Han-seo from Vincenzo had a genius IQ and a knack for psychological warfare, she’d be Je-yi. She’s the kind of character who keeps you guessing—is she a loyal friend, a ruthless queen, or something in between? Either way, she’s fascinating.
• Ju Ye-ri, played by Kang Hye-won – Social climber extraordinaire. Ye-ri knows exactly where she wants to be and isn’t above a little strategic manipulation to stay in the game. Is she an ally or an enemy? It depends on the day.
• Choi Gyeong, played by Oh Woo-ri – The broody, mysterious student who seems to be playing a game of his own. He’s that character who says little but knows too much. And we LOVE that.

Did The Drama Stay True To The Webtoon?

Okay, let’s spill the tea. When a beloved webtoon gets the live-action treatment, we all hold our breath, wondering—will they nail it or completely butcher our favorite characters? Friendly Rivalry mostly stays true to its source, but oh boy, did the drama team take some creative liberties.

First, let’s talk about Woo Seul-gi. In the webtoon, she’s a bit more reserved, the quiet observer type who slowly starts to play the game.

But in the drama?

She’s bolder, more willing to push back, and honestly, I live for it. The added sharpness to her character makes the rivalry even juicier.

Then we have Yoo Je-yi, who—let’s be real—was already a mastermind in the webtoon. But in the drama? She’s even more ruthless. Like, I-wouldn’t-trust-her-with-my-lunch-money ruthless.

The show takes her cunning and dials it up to maximum intensity, making every interaction between her and Seul-gi a psychological chess match of epic proportions.

The show takes her cunning and dials it up to maximum intensity, making every interaction between her and Seul-gi a psychological chess match of epic proportions.

Another notable shift? The side characters. Ju Ye-ri and Choi Gyeong, who had somewhat smaller roles in the webtoon, are given way more screen time. The drama deep-dives into their motivations, their alliances, and their own mini power plays, making the overall stakes even higher.

Of course, not every change will sit well with hardcore webtoon fans. But hey, isn’t that the fun of adaptations? Comparing every little detail, debating what worked and what didn’t, and ultimately getting hooked all over again.

If you ask me, Friendly Rivalry took what made the webtoon great and turned it into something even more dramatic, intense, and oh-so-addictive.

If you ask me, Friendly Rivalry took what made the webtoon great and turned it into something even more dramatic, intense, and oh-so-addictive.

K-dramas have been feasting on webtoon adaptations lately, and honestly, who can blame them? Webtoons already come with gripping plots and built-in fanbases, making them the perfect source material.

Friendly Rivalry is a prime example of how to do it right—it captures the psychological depth of the original while making it even more immersive onscreen.

Korean Cultural Nuances in Friendly Rivalry

One thing that makes Friendly Rivalry (and so many K-dramas) stand out is the deep cultural nuances that non-Korean viewers might not immediately catch.

The intense academic pressure, hierarchical social structures in schools, and even the concept of jeong.

Jeong is a deep, unspoken bond that weaves through Korean relationships like an invisible thread, shaping friendships, family ties, and even rivalries.

Jeong is a deep, unspoken bond that weaves through Korean relationships like an invisible thread, shaping friendships, family ties, and even rivalries. It’s an emotional connection that can make people fiercely loyal or painfully entangled. Understanding these elements can seriously enhance your viewing experience.

For example, the brutal competitiveness of Chaehwa High isn’t just for dramatic effect—it reflects South Korea’s real-life education system, where students endure immense pressure to succeed.

And Je-yi’s manipulative social tactics?

They mirror the intricate, often unspoken rules of Korean social hierarchies, where power and influence are everything.

Recognizing these aspects can give you a deeper appreciation of just how real the stakes are in this show.

The Verdict: Is Friendly Rivalry Your Next K-Drama Obsession?

If you enjoyed watching The Penthouse, Sky Castle, or Weak Hero Class 1, then you might also enjoy Friendly Rivalry. It brings that same level of high-stakes tension, jaw-dropping betrayals, and characters who will keep you guessing until the very end.

At this point, Friendly Rivalry has us questioning everything—trust, friendship, and maybe even our own K-drama viewing habits (not another marathon until three in the morning). It’s that addictive. It’s that intense.

Whether you’re a webtoon purist or a K-drama fanatic, this story delivers everything: suspense, strategy, and jaw-dropping betrayals.

Are you watching Friendly Rivalry? Have you read the webtoon? Spill the tea in the comments—because I need to know whose side you’re on!