Friendly Rivalry Episode 3 Recap: Hidden Past of Yoo Je-i

Friendly Rivalry Episode 3, released on the 12th at midnight through U+tv and U+mobile tv, takes a closer look at Yoo Je-i’s past. Played by Lee Hye-ri, Yoo Je-i is a character who has kept viewers intrigued with her complex personality and unpredictable actions.

The first two episodes introduced her as the top student at Chaehwa Girls’ High School, where only the best of the best are admitted. Everyone admires her. She is smart, talented, and seemingly perfect.

However, her interest in transfer student Woo Seul-gi (played by Jung Soo-bin) has raised many questions. She chose Woo Seul-gi as her partner, despite everyone else wanting to be paired with her. In Episode 2, she even stepped in to save Woo Seul-gi from danger. These actions hinted at a deeper story.

Now, with Episode 3, pieces of that story are coming together.

Yoo Je-i’s Past Revealed

Newly released stills from Friendly Rivalry glimpse Yoo Je-i’s past. In one image, a younger version of her appears very different from the composed and admired student she is now.

She wears bright-colored headphones and holds a skateboard, giving off a free-spirited vibe. But her worried expression suggests that her life was not as carefree as it seemed.

Another still features Yoo Je-i’s father, Yoo Tae-joon (played by Kim Tae-hoon). His piercing gaze toward his daughter hints at a strained relationship. There is tension between them, adding more mystery to her backstory.

Episode 3, released on the 12th, takes a deeper look into Yoo Je-i’s past. The episode reveals how her life was shaped from birth. Her father, obsessed with perfection, even used astrology to ensure she was born at the “right” time. He wanted an ideal daughter—one who excelled in everything.

From a young age, Je-i was talented in both academics and sports. However, her father never focused on her efforts. He only cared about rankings and placements.

Her older sister was naturally gifted, which made Je-i feel like she was always competing. She wanted to prove herself, but the pressure was overwhelming.

A Life of Expectations and Rebellion

Growing up, Je-i’s family attended church every week. But she never understood why she had to pray when she hadn’t done anything wrong.

The routine felt meaningless to her. Over time, she started to drift away. She turned to smoking, drinking, and clubbing. It was her way of escaping.

One night, she had a disturbing dream. She saw herself jumping off a bridge but couldn’t swim back up. An invisible weight held her down. That weight symbolized the emotional barrier she had built around herself. It was her way of keeping people from getting too close.

This portrait of rebellion under immense pressure is a powerful commentary on the “gifted child” syndrome, a theme that resonates globally but has particular weight in South Korea’s competitive academic culture.

Je-i isn’t acting out just to be rebellious; she is desperately trying to create an identity separate from the one her father manufactured for her.

Her “perfect” self is the mask; the troubled, rebellious self is the real person screaming to be let out. This layer of social commentary makes her character profoundly relatable to anyone who has felt the crushing weight of expectations.

A New Connection with Woo Seul-gi

After the flashback, the story shifts back to the present. Je-i takes Woo Seul-gi to a health center for a check-up. She also gifts her a new school uniform, a kind gesture that surprises Seul-gi.

Je-i has an unusual request. She wants to know how Seul-gi managed to be the top student in school without attending a cram school. In exchange, she offers to share her notes. But Seul-gi finds this deal suspicious. She feels there must be another reason behind Je-i’s sudden interest.

Later, something unexpected happens. At school, Seul-gi asks Je-i to sit with her in class. It’s a small moment, but it hints at a possible change in their dynamic.

The episode leaves viewers with many questions. What are Je-i’s true intentions? Will Seul-gi trust her? The next episode will likely reveal more about this complex relationship.

Seul-gi’s suspicion is natural, but Je-i’s request might be more layered than it seems. Could it be that Je-i, whose entire life has been a calculated performance, is genuinely fascinated by someone who achieves success organically?

She isn’t just asking for study tips; she might be seeking the secret to a genuine, unmanufactured life—something she has never known. This re-frames her actions from being potentially manipulative to being a tragic search for authenticity.

What’s Next for Yoo Je-i?

Episode 3 successfully shifts the series’ center of gravity. The show is no longer just about Woo Seul-gi adapting to a new school; it’s about how two contrasting lives are destined to collide and change one another.

With Je-i’s past now in the open, the narrative tension moving forward will come from seeing how this history actively shapes her present-day decisions, especially as her relationship with Seul-gi becomes more complex.

The foundation has been laid for a story about trauma, healing, and the unlikely people who help us find ourselves.*

With each episode, Friendly Rivalry continues to reveal more about its characters, keeping viewers engaged. Yoo Je-i is no longer just the perfect student at Chaehwa Girls’ High School. There is much more to her than meets the eye. Episode 3 is now available on U+tv and U+mobile tv.

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