Actress and former Girl’s Day member Hyeri is making headlines with her candid take on filming her first on-screen same-sex kiss in the recently concluded GL drama “Friendly Rivalry.” In a recent interview, she shared her experience of working alongside co-star Chung Su Bin, emphasizing the importance of portraying the intimate moment with authenticity and care.

Hyeri Reflects on the Kiss Scene and Its Meaning

On March 27, Hyeri appeared as a guest on the YouTube show “Una Beck’s Give and Take” and opened up about her role in Friendly Rivalry, particularly discussing a bathtub kiss scene that captured significant attention from viewers. The actress revealed that she approached the scene with a strong commitment to ensuring it was shot beautifully rather than being over-sensationalized.

“I really wanted it to be portrayed beautifully,” Hyeri explained. “When moments like that are made overly provocative or reduced to just the kiss itself, they lose their emotional weight. That’s why it was such an important scene for all of us—the director, Su Bin, and I were all on the same page. We wanted it to be meaningful and visually stunning.”

Surprisingly, Hyeri shared that she felt completely at ease while filming the scene, even more so than she had expected. “I didn’t feel like I needed any special emotional buildup or mental preparation. Honestly, it was just another scene to shoot, and my only focus was to make it as natural and beautiful as possible.”

She went on to say that she had initially wondered whether the experience would feel any different from a typical romantic scene. However, she found that it wasn’t as foreign as she had thought. “I was surprised at how comfortable it felt. It wasn’t different at all, and in fact, I felt even more at ease than usual.”

Why Hyeri Chose to Play Yoo Jay

During the interview, Hyeri also discussed why she was drawn to the character of Yoo Jay, a charismatic yet complex figure in Friendly Rivalry. She admitted that taking on the role was both exciting and challenging.

“Jay is the type of character who could easily come across as predictable or frustrating if not handled properly,” she explained. “That made playing her a bit of a burden, but at the same time, I found her too compelling to resist.”

Her dedication to making Yoo Jay a layered, nuanced character resonated with fans, many of whom praised her performance for capturing both the confidence and vulnerabilities of the role.

About “Friendly Rivalry”

Friendly Rivalry, which wrapped up on March 6, tells the gripping story of Woo Seulgi (Chung Su Bin), a tough and troubled teen from an orphanage who transfers to the elite Chaehwa High School in Seoul. Seulgi’s rough edges contrast sharply with the cunning and powerful Yoo Jay (Hyeri), the most influential student at the school. Despite their rivalry, an undeniable attraction develops between them, leading to an emotional and intense journey of self-discovery.

With its unique take on high school power dynamics and LGBTQ+ representation, Friendly Rivalry has left a lasting impression on viewers. Hyeri’s thoughtful approach to her character and her refreshing honesty about filming intimate scenes only add to the drama’s growing legacy.