“These days, kids are sick”... Director Kim Tae hee who created the thrilling girl thriller ‘Friendly Rivalry’

Director Kim Tae hee, who directed the drama 'Friendly Rivalry'. This drama is said to be a work that Director Kim 'poured' 4 years into. She paid great attention to the direction to the point that even the title design in the photo reflects the symbolic colors of each character and props from the work.

"I want to hear people say, "I watched it till the end, holding the hair."" This is the answer that Director Kim Tae hee (42), who we met with JoongAng Ilbo on the 10th, gave when we asked her what kind of impression she hopes 'Friendly Rivalry' will leave.

Director Kim said, "I look for reviews every day," and expressed her feelings, saying, "It's refreshing and disappointing." 'Friendly Rivalry' is a work that Director Kim prepared for four years. she said, "It's not just a simple romance or thriller, but I have an interest and desire for mysteries that involve 'emotions'." After making her debut in 2006 with the feature film 'Red Butterfly', Director Kim directed the dramas 'Momo Salon' (2014) and 'The Quiet You' (2014), and wrote the web novel 'Reason for Marriage' in 2020. In 2021, he was offered the job of working on 'Friendly Rivalry', and took charge of writing the script and directing.

Before making 'Friendly Rivalry', Director Kim wrote 'Reason for Marriage', a web novel in the mystery/romance genre. He said that in 'Friendly Rivalry', she wanted to highlight 'mystery' as the key incident and constantly create tension in the character relationships. she said, "I'm proud that my intention came to fruition after seeing the viewers' reactions."

Q: The character's characteristics are clear.

A: I incorporated the charm of a sharp character in many places. I also created a symbolic color. Seulgi is a friend who is troubled between yellow and blue. The contrast between the 'blue dress' that she thinks is the reason she became Mia and the 'yellow uniform' that she should have worn is the beginning. I also wanted to show Jaeyi that she is confused by discovering the two mixed colors.

Seulgi, who was exposed to a drug that increases concentration as a child, becomes obsessed with studying to escape the situation she is in. Every time she takes the drug, Seulgi is depicted as being trapped alone in an underwater space.

In particular, the relationship between Jaeyi and Seulgi is special in the drama. You can also feel the 'salvation narrative' where they save each other. In particular, actress Lee Hyeri revealed in an interview that her favorite scene was when she confesses to Seulgi, "The medicine I gave you was actually vitamins." Seulgi, who thought that Jay sold her a drug to increase her concentration, feels liberated from the 'water' she had been trapped in every time she takes the medicine after hearing Jaeyi's confession that 'it was vitamins.'

Q: How would you define the relationship between Jaeyi and Seulgi?

A: “You can’t talk about Seulgi’s 19 years without mentioning Jaeyi, and the same goes for Jay. I think the two of them are like a once-in-a-lifetime ‘accident’ that shook up my teens and twenties, and it’s hard to describe them in one word.”

Q: What does ‘water’ mean to Jaeyi and Seulgi?

A: “It is an end and a beginning for both of them. For Seulgi, ‘water’ is a place where she lost her family, but when she takes medicine and focuses on her studies, she feels a sense of stability in the abyss. In the prologue, Jaeyi is described as feeling stability in the water, but he jumps into the water and starts a new life.”

For 'Friendly Rivalry', the director paid attention to the details of directing as well as the pre-interview. she said that the work was 'like her child' and sincerely cheered on the characters in the work. she said, "I hope that the four main characters will move forward at their own pace."

While preparing the drama, the director met with real female high school students from various areas, including the Gangnam District School District. she also consulted with psychiatrists and current teachers. she started off by saying, “These days, kids are sick,” and said that he wanted to convey the different hardships each character goes through. He explained the elements he incorporated into the work, saying, “It’s basic to take medication to increase concentration, and there were also cases where they drew their own blood when they were in good condition and then transfused it again to help them focus.” she said that she directed it with the hope that “the characters are running for college entrance, but from now on, they will run at their own pace.” The reason he gave freedom to the most exemplary character, ‘Jaeyi,’ was the same.

Q: In the last scene, Jaeyi's expression looks free. What kind of life will Jaeyi live from now on?

A: If someone who has been oppressed for a long time suddenly gains freedom, it doesn't seem like something will come to mind right away. Still, wouldn't they live like the wind, finding inner happiness, albeit quietly, compared to their previous lives in the spotlight? This scene was created with the hope of cheering for such a future.

The four members of Chaehwa Girls' High School in 'Friendly Rivalry'. "I wanted to give the sharp and unique main characters in the original work a narrative and polish them persuasively."

'Friendly Rivalry' is a 'child-like' work to Director Kim. she said that she has no plans for her next work yet, but she is taking a break to celebrate the completion of a long period of work. she continued, "When we were producing, we didn't have Season 2 in mind," and expressed her expectations, saying, "It depends on the right circumstances, but if the response is hot, I don't know what will happen."

[source]