In Friendly Rivalry Episode 5, the episode opened with Jae-i’s voiceover, questioning why society views desire differently for men and women. She pointed out that in history, men had concubines and became fathers at a young age, yet female sexuality remains a taboo subject.
Choi Kyeong’s thoughts took center stage. She had always been a precocious child, filled with thoughts she could not express. From a young age, she was obsessed with being the best. When she finally got rid of the top student in her school, she thought she had won. But then, Jae-i arrived. Jae-i was not just intelligent—she was popular. Everyone liked her. In primary school, Kyeong finally met a boy she liked, someone who enjoyed spending time with her.
It felt special. Then, one day, he asked for Jae-i’s number. That moment shattered Kyeong. She started consuming explicit content, and using personal information to access restricted sites. It was an escape. But then, something changed. She started imagining Jae-i in those scenarios instead of the content she was watching. Anger surged through her. In her mind, she saw herself choking Jae-i.
Seul-gi’s Discovery and Jae-i’s Control Over Her
Meanwhile, Seul-gi made a shocking discovery. While Jae-i was asleep, she checked her phone. What she found left her speechless. Jae-i had gathered personal information about her—details no one should have. Seul-gi’s father was a teacher. There was even a missing person poster from when she was a child. How far had Jae-i gone to dig into her past? At the same time, Choi Kyeong was researching a different secret—Jae-i’s father’s involvement in a controversial medical case. A doctor’s murder. A medical negligence scandal.
Jae-i, however, was already several steps ahead. She had placed a GPS tracker on Seul-gi’s phone. The moment Seul-gi stepped into the bathroom, Jae-i knew exactly where she was. When Jae-i arrived at school, she immediately sensed something was wrong. Seul-gi was avoiding her. Her usual warmth was gone. Instead, she was cold. Distant. That same day, a new student, Kim Nali, transferred to their school. Jae-i tried to talk to Seul-gi, but she brushed her off, pretending not to notice her. Instead, Seul-gi suggested they should say goodbye to Nali together. Jae-i agreed.
Tensions Rise in the Classroom
In class, both Jae-i and Choi Kyeong scored the same on their exams. But Seul-gi outperformed them both. Her score was impressive. The teacher even praised her autobiography, calling it exceptional. Then, something went wrong. Someone had stolen Seul-gi’s answer sheet. She searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. Then, something even worse happened.
Someone had photocopied her autobiography and placed copies on every desk in the classroom. Jae-i was furious. She stormed through the room, collecting every copy. Seul-gi watched her closely. Then, she pulled Jae-i aside. “Why are you so angry?” she asked. “I’m not even mad.”
The Confrontation: Jae-i’s True Intentions
Seul-gi confronted Jae-i, showing her a set of photos. Proof that Jae-i had been gathering information about her past. Then, a video played. It showed Jae-i hitting Nali, recording the entire scene. She threatened her, claiming Nali had used drugs and that she could expose her anytime. Nali immediately fell to her knees, terrified. Seul-gi stared at Jae-i in shock.
“You knew everything,” Jae-i said. “And you wanted to test me.” “Don’t be mad at me. I did this for you.” She explained that Nali had once bullied Seul-gi. Seul-gi’s voice was steady, but her eyes burned with anger. “Then why was my past information on your phone?”
The episode ended.
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
