In Friendly Rivalry episode 7, Ye-ri loved playing with dolls, but her world was different. Her mother worked in an escort business, surrounded by women who catered to wealthy men. One night, her mother had to entertain clients at a karaoke bar. Ye-ri hated it. She stormed into the VIP room and started singing. That night changed everything. Her mother never returned to the bar. Instead, she focused on making Ye-ri a star.
Ye-ri was forced into auditions. Her mother deprived her of food for three days to make her look “perfect” for a role. But Ye-ri failed miserably. Searching for her mother after the audition, she stumbled upon a shocking scene—her mother was with one of the men from the audition panel, seducing him.
That’s when Ye-ri realized how her mother had secured roles for her in the past. When her mother came home, Ye-ri simply said, “I won’t tell Dad.” From that day on, she used her mother’s secrets to get what she wanted. She learned how to manipulate, how to fake a glamorous lifestyle, and how to collect dirt on others—just in case it became useful.
Ye-ri’s Dangerous Deal with Jae-i’s Father
In the present, Ye-ri met Jae-i’s father at a park. She asked if he was still searching for his eldest daughter—something even Jae-i didn’t know about. Then, she blackmailed him. “Keep my mouth shut, and I’ll need gold or diamonds,” she said. But Jae-i’s father had a counteroffer.
He promised her long-term financial support if she gave him something in return. Then, he smirked and asked, “Are you really beautiful without makeup?” His words sent chills down her spine as he walked away.
After Jae-i got caught selling drugs, she instructed Jo Ah-ra to stop distribution for a while. But addiction doesn’t wait. A desperate classmate begged for drugs, unable to cope without them.
Unexpected Exam Results and Rising Tensions
Exams arrived, and something shocking happened. The exact questions Seul-gi had studied—ones Jae-i gave her—appeared on the test. When the results came in, both Jae-i and Seul-gi ranked first place. Choi Kyung came in third. She was furious.
Byeong-jin visited Seul-gi at school, but she told him to stay away. Later, she confronted him, demanding to know why he was there. Instead of answering, he pulled out a knife. “Where is Soo-jin?” he asked. Seul-gi had no answers.
Health Check and a Suspicious Meeting
Seul-gi arrived at J Medical Center for her health inspection. Her classmates glared at her. They resented her for not attending tutoring classes yet still ranking first. She looked tense. Then came the urine test. Her anxiety spiked. Just then, a text from Jae-i appeared on her phone: “Come meet me. I have something you might need.”
Seul-gi found Jae-i and knelt before her. “I’m ready to settle my father’s medical lawsuit,” she said. “I just want to live a stable life. I’ve been bullied all my life.” Jae-i handed her a urine sample. “I won’t give you medicine anymore,” she warned. Then, Seul-gi asked a chilling question. “Why do you have my personal information?” The episode ended on that unsettling note.
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.
