“Friendly Rivalry” Lee Hyeri “I Didn’t Think Kissing And Smoking Scenes Were Bold, Je-yi Is A Charming Character”
In STUDIO X+U’s drama “Friendly Rivalry”, Lee Hyeri played Yoo Je-yi, a top 0.1% high school student with a perfect background, grades and looks. Through her meticulous and detailed acting, she maximized the character’s charm and showcased a new side of herself never seen before.
Unlike her previous roles, Lee Hyeri portrayed a mysterious and sharp character in “Friendly Rivalry”. She played Je-yi, who seemed kind to everyone but revealed a dark and intense side when pursuing her goals, intensifying the drama’s tension.
Additionally, she developed subtle chemistry with her co-star Chung Su-bin (as Woo Seul-gi) while intricately depicting Je-yi’s complex emotions, delivering a performance that suited the girl-thriller genre.
Below is a Q&A session with Lee Hyeri.
– Now that “Friendly Rivalry” has been fully released, how do you feel?
It feels like just yesterday that the first episode was released, but time really flies. I enjoyed watching the series alongside viewers and checking their reactions. I’m so happy that people enjoyed it.
– Your role as Yoo Je-yi was a drastic transformation from your previous characters, with her cold and sharp nature. How did you interpret the character, both externally and internally? What aspects did you focus on while acting?
I saw Je-yi as a very lonely character. She tries not to show her emotions and, in some ways, struggles to empathize with others. I think that’s where her mystery and coldness come from, and I was happy that viewers recognized that aspect of my performance. Also, Je-yi had to be nearly perfect—kind, popular, and flawless in appearance—so I paid a lot of attention to her external image as well.
– Your chemistry with Chung Su-bin gained attention. How did you approach Je-yi and Seul-gi’s relationship, and how did you work with Su-bin on set?
As the story progressed, Je-yi’s attitude toward Seul-gi gradually changed, becoming more genuine. I wanted to portray that transformation well. Initially, she approached Seul-gi to find leverage against her father, but I felt that Seul-gi was the first person to show Je-yi true sincerity. I think Je-yi naturally started to think, “I want to protect this person who acts tough but is actually fragile.” Su-bin trusted and relied on me on set, which helped us build their chemistry.
– The drama included bold scenes such as smoking, clubbing and kissing. Any interesting behind-the-scenes stories?
When filming, I didn’t really think of those scenes as bold; I was just acting out the script. In an early club scene, I wore a pink wig, and it surprisingly suited me better than I expected. Also, I was amazed that Je-yi’s bathroom set was built just for a single scene.
– It’s said that many scenes were influenced by your ideas and ad-libs. Is there a scene that you remember the most?
I didn’t improvise much; I focused on expressing what was already in the script. But one memorable scene is when Je-yi sees her sister’s death then talks to Seul-gi about Cain and Abel, revealing her true feelings. Originally, that scene was supposed to show Je-yi breaking down because of her sister’s death. However, I suggested to the director that it shouldn’t be about her sister but rather about something deeper within Je-yi. So the scene was changed to have Je-yi calmly reveal her emotions, with Seul-gi comforting her. I was happy that many viewers appreciated that change.
– What was your favorite scene or line from the drama?
My favorite scene is in the final episode when Je-yi tells Seul-gi, “The pills I gave you during midterms… they were actually vitamins.” It shows how much Je-yi cared for Seul-gi. A memorable line for me is… “Why did you touch what’s mine without permission?” I thought a lot about how to make that line sound even crazier during filming.
– You gained many nicknames from this drama. Which one do you like best?
I never expected to receive so many nicknames! This is probably the character with the most nicknames I’ve ever played. My favorite is Yoo Jue-yi (Yoo Je-yi + jue (guilt))—it perfectly suits Je-yi and has a fatal charm to it.
– Lastly, a message for the viewers who loved “Friendly Rivalry”?
To everyone who watched “Friendly Rivalry”, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t know if I’ll ever meet a character as captivating as Je-yi again in my career, so playing her was incredibly fun, exciting and fulfilling. I feel like I received even more love than I gave to Je-yi, and as an actress, that makes me so happy. I’ll carry this experience with me and continue to work diligently in the future. Though “Friendly Rivalry” ended, I hope it stays in your hearts for a long time. Thank you!
