‘Friendly Rivalry’ Netflix Series Review - A Chilling Tale of Power and Amicable Feud

In the prime and proper façade of Chaehwa Girls' High School, something far darker simmers beneath the surface. This drama unfolds in a fiercely competitive world, where academic excellence is just one piece of a much more dangerous puzzle. At the heart of this psychological battlefield is Woo Seul-gi (Chung Su-bin), a transfer student from a modest background who walks into the elite institution unaware of the ruthless social games awaiting her. Armed with only her wits and steely resolve, Seul-gi finds herself thrust into a web of alliances, mind games, and manipulation, where every gesture may have strings attached.

Among the power players at Chaehwa, Baek Jae-i initially emerged as a guiding light. With her calm demeanor and commanding social influence, she quickly takes Seul-gi under her wing. Lavish gifts, elite party invitations, and access to the most influential student circles follow. On the surface, it all feels like a dream come true for Seul-gi—but behind Jae-i’s poised smile lies something more complex. Her motivations are as ambiguous as they are unnerving, making it unclear whether she’s a true mentor or a calculated tactician grooming her next pawn.

Visually, the show is a masterclass in cinematic storytelling. From the first episode, the camera work is bold and deliberate, giving each character’s entrance weight and style. But it's not just about aesthetics. Symbolism is used throughout the series to deepen emotional and psychological themes. One of the most haunting scenes involves Seul-gi submerged in water while studying—a breathtaking visual metaphor for her mounting anxiety and sense of suffocation in an environment where expectations are as heavy as the secrets everyone seems to be hiding.

What truly hooks the viewer, however, is the storytelling. It's messy, yes, but in a way that mimics the erratic nature of high-stakes rivalries and teenage politics. Characters take abrupt turns, betraying allies, switching loyalties, or revealing hidden depths with each passing episode. It’s disorienting at times, but that unpredictability works in the show’s favor, keeping the audience off-balance and on edge. Despite the occasional lack of narrative polish, the emotional highs and tension-packed confrontations never let up.

Ultimately, this drama thrives not on clean resolutions but on the chaos of its characters’ choices. It doesn’t offer a neat morality tale—it delivers something rawer, where ambition, fear, and identity collide in unpredictable ways. Woo Seul-gi’s journey is not just about fitting in or surviving—it’s about learning the rules of a game no one ever explains, and deciding just how far she’s willing to go to win.

A compelling portrayal of ambition and power disguised as a story of school life, this series is a gripping exploration of how friendships can blur into rivalries—and how quickly a helping hand can turn into a push off the ledge.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times