Episode 1 of "Friendly Rivalry" kicks off with orphan Woo Seul-gi, her voice imbued with a poignant lack of self-importance, narrating her journey as a forgotten soul who eventually found refuge in an orphanage where empathy was a rare commodity. Initially, her days were consumed by mundane chores, including the perilous task of procuring drugs for her older peers in the orphanage. However, an unexpected spark of encouragement from one of her tough, older acquaintances ignited a fierce determination in Seul-gi to devote herself relentlessly to her studies.
As her academic prowess soared, Seul-gi ascended the ranks of her school's hierarchy with unwavering determination. She began to witness a striking transformation in how others perceived her—her former bullies retreated into the shadows, and even the nuns of the orphanage bestowed upon her special privileges, acknowledging her newly found worth. Recognizing the immense leverage that academic excellence commanded, Seul-gi set her heart on attaining the pinnacle of her school's rankings. To secure this triumph, she resorted to extreme measures, utilizing drugs as a crutch to fuel her studies.
Seul-gi's relentless pursuit led her to the hallowed halls of one of Seoul's most prestigious girls' schools, her heart yearning to reconnect with the father she had long yearned for. However, her dreams were cruelly shattered during the school's orientation when she discovered that the man she had believed to be her father—a teacher at the esteemed institution—had already passed away. Amidst this heart-wrenching revelation, we are introduced to Yoo Je-yi, the school's reigning queen bee, a figure of immense popularity and influence.
The school, a testament to modern opulence, boasts cutting-edge facilities, including medical laboratories and elite courses with acceptance rates rivaling the nation's top universities. As Seul-gi, still dragging her luggage through the opulent corridors, struggled to find her footing, she was met with indifference from most students. But to everyone's astonishment, Je-yi, defying the expectations of her peers, chose to sit beside Seul-gi, casting a ripple of disappointment through the ranks of the enchanted student body.
Later on, a financially well-off student approaches Seul-gi with a proposition to switch seats, and she, in turn, consents to the exchange in hopes of securing a more advantageous position at the forefront of the classroom. However, the episode concludes on an unexpected twist, as Je-yi exhibits a sudden and profound interest in Seul-gi, appearing utterly determined to forge a friendship with her.
