South Korean actress Hyeri has been nominated for Best Actress at the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards for her powerful performance in the drama “Friendly Rivalry”. The nomination comes after her groundbreaking same-s*x kiss scene in the show, which sparked widespread discussion and praise.
Hyeri’s Transformative Role in “Friendly Rivalry”
In “Friendly Rivalry”, Hyeri plays Yoo Jae-yi, a genius student in an elite high school where competition is fierce. The drama explores deep themes like friendship, desire, and guilt among top students. Hyeri’s character is complex, dealing with emotional wounds and isolation despite her brilliance.
The show gained extra attention for a same-sex kiss scene involving Hyeri’s character. This was a bold move for a mainstream K-drama, and many praised Hyeri for taking on such a daring role. Critics have called this her “career-best performance”, marking a big change from her usual cheerful roles.
“Friendly Rivalry” started as a low-budget project but became popular thanks to strong acting and storytelling. The drama aired on U+Mobile TV and U+ TV, smaller platforms compared to giants like Netflix. Despite this, it topped viewership charts for original dramas on its release day.
Blue Dragon Series Awards Recognition
The Blue Dragon Series Awards honors top shows and performances on streaming platforms. This year’s nominees were chosen through online voting and expert reviews for content released between June 2024 and May 2025. Hyeri is up against strong competitors:
- Park Eun Bin (“Hyper Knife”)
- Seo Hyun Jin (“The Trunk”)
- IU (“When Life Gives You Tangerines”)
- Cha Joo Young (“The Queen Who Crowns”)
Hyeri’s co-star Jung Soo-bin, who played transfer student Woo Seul-gi, also earned a Best New Actress nomination. Fans have celebrated both actresses for their chemistry and emotional performances.
The awards ceremony will happen on July 18 at Paradise City in Incheon and air live on KBS 2TV.
Fan Reactions
Many fans see the nomination itself as a win for “Friendly Rivalry”. The show had humble beginnings but won over audiences with its heartfelt story. On social media, supporters shared their excitement:
“What started as a low-budget GL with no big platform has become a standout thanks to their hard work and chemistry. Win or lose, this moment proves heart matters more than hype.”
“Grabe ung interview natanong si subin choose one either mataas na rating or blue dragon db db db hahaha”
Critics highlight how Hyeri has grown as an actress. Known early in her career for cute, bubbly roles, she’s now taking on more challenging parts. Her work in “Friendly Rivalry” shows a new side of her talent, with raw emotion and depth.
Hyeri’s Career Evolution
Hyeri first became famous as the youngest member of girl group Girl’s Day. She earned the nickname “Nation’s Little Sister” after appearing on the show “Real Men” in 2014. Her big acting break came with the hit drama “Reply 1988” in 2015, which remains one of Korea’s highest-rated cable shows.
Since then, Hyeri has balanced music, variety shows, and acting. She’s known for being funny and charming on shows like “Amazing Saturday”. But with “Friendly Rivalry”, she’s proving she can handle serious, intense roles too.
Recently, Hyeri signed with new agency Sublime in June 2024. Fans are excited to see what she’ll do next after this award-nominated performance.
About “Friendly Rivalry”
“Friendly Rivalry” is set at Chaehwa Girls’ High School, where the top 1% of students compete fiercely. The story mixes thriller elements with deep character drama. Early episodes teased the kiss scene that would later make headlines, drawing in fans of GL (Girls’ Love) stories.
The show’s creators used smart marketing, releasing tense trailers that hinted at both romance and mystery. Early viewers praised the show after previews:
“New World of Academy Thriller”
“Different from existing academy materials”
“The suspense and psychological warfare are intense”
“The actors’ acting is solid and they don’t know where they will go”
Despite airing on a smaller platform, “Friendly Rivalry” found success through word of mouth and strong performances. Hyeri’s daring role has become a talking point in discussions about representation in K-dramas.
The 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards will reveal if Hyeri’s bold performance earns her the top prize. Whether she wins or not, this nomination marks an important step in her career as she takes on more mature and complex roles.
Source: Nate
