Friendly Rivalry Episode 10 Recap: Trust No One!

Friendly Rivalry has never been just about grades and schoolyard competition; it’s a deep dive into the corrosive nature of secrets and the lengths to which the powerful will go to protect them.

Friendly Rivalry Episode 10 escalates this tension to a breaking point, moving the pieces on the chessboard into place for an explosive endgame.

In this recap and analysis, we’ll not only break down the key events but also explore the character motivations, the hidden clues you might have missed, and what these intense developments mean for the series’ finale. Let’s dive in.

Friendly Rivalry Episode 10 delivers intense moments filled with fear, betrayal, and hidden truths. The story takes unexpected turns as characters face life-altering decisions.

Jae-i’s peaceful moment with her puppy quickly turned into chaos. The dog barked in fear, startling her. In a panic, she ran—only to feel an electric shock from behind.

It was Je-na, demanding Teacher Woo’s phone. Jae-i, barely conscious, laughed and asked if she would kill her for it. Je-na simply said she missed both Jae-i and the dog.

But Jae-i wanted answers. She asked where Je-na had been and if their father knew about her connection with Teacher Dao-he. Je-na confirmed that he did.

Jae-i then asked the unthinkable—did their father kill Teacher Woo? Je-na revealed she witnessed everything. Their father was responsible. That was why she never returned home.

She knew how terrifying he could be. She begged Jae-i to tell the truth, saying Teacher Woo’s family deserved justice. Before Jae-i could process everything, Je-na mentioned an urgent meeting. Jae-i demanded to know with whom, but Je-na left without answering.

A Terrifying Hospital Scene

The scene shifts back to the hospital. Seul-gi, who had seen the dead body, turned around only to find Jae-i’s father, Yoo Jae-jun, standing there. He shut the door, trapping her inside.

Jae-jun calmly explained that these were unclaimed corpses, which he used for surgical practice. He even folded his hands to pray in front of one.

Seul-gi, clearly disturbed, tried to leave, but the door was locked. Yoo Jae-jun told her that if she wanted a future in the medical field, she had to overcome her fear of blood and death. Then, he unlocked the door, letting her go.

Yoo Jae-jun isn’t just a villain; he’s a narcissist who justifies his horrors with a twisted sense of purpose. His prayer over the corpses is particularly chilling, showcasing his god complex.

For Seul-gi, this is more than a scare tactic; it’s a direct threat meant to shatter her resolve and remind her that in his world, he controls life, death, and her future.

School Interrogation and Rising Tensions

The next day, the school was under police investigation. One by one, students were questioned. Everyone described Beom-su as a loner who frequently took medication. Jo Ah-ra claimed that Beom-su was furious about losing her spot in the top 20 rankings because of Seul-gi.

Seul-gi returned to school, determined to complete her senior year. But trouble awaited. She was called in for questioning along with Beom-su’s guardians.

Seul-gi called her stepmother, who protested, saying that a victim and an accused person shouldn’t be in the same class.

Things escalated when Beom-su accused Seul-gi of that she advised her to take medication for exams. Seul-gi denied it, but the rumors spread quickly. Teachers, the principal, and even Beom-su’s lawyer got involved.

The police then questioned Seul-gi about stealing medicine from J Medical Center. They had seen her near the pharmacy room. That’s when she spoke up—Jae-i was the one selling drugs to students.

Jo Ah-Ra was next to be interrogated. Meanwhile, Jae-i tried to talk to Seul-gi, but she refused. Seul-gi had had enough. She said she wasn’t sorry and admitted that people always found her easy to bully.

The Dangerous Game Continues

Byeong-jin entered the classroom to take Seul-gi somewhere. She handed him the medicine she had bought through social media. He demanded proof of the transaction, so she showed her DMs. He then instructed her to place another order.

Meanwhile, Jae-i confronted her father. She asked if he planned to frame Seul-gi. He coldly told her to stop selling medicine to classmates and to end this game.

But Jae-i argued that while it was a game for her, Seul-gi had real dreams. Then she asked the burning question—did he want Teacher Woo’s phone to erase evidence of his crime?

Yoo Jae-jun didn’t react. Instead, he warned her. If she exposed him, the world would know that Seul-gi’s father had sexually assaulted students. Jae-i tried to call Je-na, but her father snatched her phone.

A Trap is Set

The next day, Seul-gi received a message about a drug pickup at 6 PM. But something felt off. She wasn’t sure if the sender was Jae-i or Jo Ah-Ra. Jae-i, suspicious, checked the cupboards for the hidden medicine, but they were gone. She confronted Jo Ah-ra, demanding to know where they were.

Jo Ah-ra admitted she sold them. Jae-i panicked—what if Seul-gi had gone to the police? But Jo Ah-Ra was confident. She had already called the police on Jae-i, setting her up as the culprit by placing drugs in her locker.

Jae-i realized she had to act fast. She tried calling Seul-gi, but she didn’t answer. Desperate, she messaged Je-na, telling her to meet at the agreed location to retrieve Teacher Woo’s phone.

At the same time, Je-na sent a message to Teacher Woo’s wife promising to get them the phone. She waited at a café. But when she checked the locker, instead of the phone, she found a bag of medicine. Realizing she had been tricked, she ran.

Byeong-jin, who had been watching, headed straight for the locker. Jae-i finally found Seul-gi. She grabbed her hand, and they ran. Meanwhile, Je-na exited the metro station.

But an ambulance stopped in front of her & took her inside forcefully. Behind the ambulance, there was a —her father was watching.

Key Takeaways for the Finale:

• The Phone is Still the MacGuffin: The hunt for Teacher Woo’s phone remains the primary driver of the plot. Its contents could bring down the entire corrupt system.

• Jae-i’s Alignment: Jae-i is now fully aligned against her father. Her alliance with Seul-gi, however fragile, is the key to his downfall.

• Je-na’s Fate: With Je-na kidnapped, the stakes are higher than ever. Is Yoo Jae-jun capable of killing his own daughter to protect his secret?

What did you think of Episode 10? Do you think Seul-gi and Jae-i can truly trust each other? What was the most shocking moment for you?

How do you think the series will end? Let us know your predictions and theories in the comments below!

📌 Bookmark