Oh Woo Ri Talks Transformation, Character Depth, And What Drew Her To “Friendly Rivalry”

Feb 07, 2025

Oh Woo Ri has shared more insights into her character in the upcoming drama “Friendly Rivalry”!

Based on a popular webtoon, “Friendly Rivalry” is a mystery thriller set at Chaehwa Girls’ High School, an elite institution for the top 1 percent in South Korea, where cutthroat academic competition takes place between the students. Chung Su Bin stars as Woo Seul Gi, a transfer student who becomes entangled in her classmates’ hidden ambitions—and the secret behind the mysterious death of her father, a former college entrance exam question setter.

Hyeri plays Yoo Jae Yi, Chaehwa’s top-ranked student and a figure of admiration who seems to have it all. With nothing left to desire, her world takes an unexpected turn when her interest is piqued by the transfer student Woo Seul Gi.

Oh Woo Ri portrays Choi Kyung, the perpetual No. 2 student who struggles to gain recognition despite her efforts.

Describing her role, Oh Woo Ri shared, “Kyung is always on edge, like a sharp dagger. But the more you get to know her, the more you see her vulnerabilities. She has her flaws, and at times, she even seems foolishly innocent. Rather than scheming like a fox, she puts in a lot of effort.”

Oh Woo Ri also emphasized Choi Kyung’s hidden charm. “Kyung may come across as brash, but she looks out for her people. Every time you catch a glimpse of that side of her, you’ll find her unexpectedly adorable,” she explained. “That side of her comes out a lot when she’s with Ye Ri (Kang Hye Won),” further raising anticipation for their on-screen chemistry.

The multi-faceted nature of Choi Kyung was what ultimately drew Oh Woo Ri to the drama. She remarks, “I decided to star in ‘Friendly Rivalry’ because I was captivated by Kyung’s intense appeal. She constantly struggles with jealousy and inferiority as a second-place student, but that’s not all there is to her. She’s a character that evokes both sympathy and affection. The more I explored her, the more I realized she’s a character that’s hard to find.”

Beyond the character, Oh Woo Ri was also drawn to the script’s gripping storytelling. “As I read the script, I kept encountering unexpected twists. The way the story seamlessly weaves together each character’s backstory made me eager to see what would happen next—I couldn’t put it down.”

To fully embody Choi Kyung, Oh Woo Ri even underwent a physical transformation: “I cut my hair short. I spent a lot of time thinking about how to bring the webtoon’s version of Kyung to life. Even small changes in hairstyle can make a big difference, so I was constantly adjusting my look throughout filming.”

But her preparation didn’t stop at appearances—Oh Woo Ri also worked hard to capture the subtle nuances of her character. She explains, “Kyung is sharp, but she also has a cute side and carries secrets only someone her age can have. I focused on finding the right balance—concealing those secrets while letting them subtly show through my performance.”

Reflecting on her connection to the role, Oh Woo Ri shared, “Kyung is a character I relate to a lot. In many ways, this drama feels like the perfect introduction to who I am as an actor.” She concluded by saying, “I hope viewers will see traces of me in Kyung and remember both of us.”