Hyeri has taken the lead over IU in the Baeksang Arts Awards popularity vote, driven by her daring role and a viral same-sex kiss scene in the K-drama Friendly Rivalry. The scene has sparked widespread buzz, boosting her fan support and reshaping the awards race.
Baeksang Popularity Vote Shake-Up
The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, set for May 5, 2025, at Seoulโs COEX D Hall, have seen a surprising turn in the Prism Popularity Award race. Voting opened on April 23, and within 24 hours, Hyeri surged ahead with around 738,000 votes. She overtook IU, who earned 533,000 votes, and Kim Hye-yoon with 496,000 votes. On the male side, Byun Woo-seok leads with 226,000 votes, followed by Park Bo-gum at 84,000.
The Prism Popularity Award is decided entirely by public votes, which continue until May 2. Hyeriโs sudden rise has drawn attention, with fans linking her lead to her recent performance in Friendly Rivalry, a teen mystery thriller that premiered on February 10, 2025. Her bold acting choices have clearly resonated with voters.
Friendly Rivalryโs Bold Narrative
Friendly Rivalry, produced by STUDIO X+U, is based on a popular webtoon by Song Chae Yoon and Shim Jae Young. Set at the elite Chaehwa Girlsโ High School, the drama explores intense academic competition and hidden ambitions among South Koreaโs top 1% students.
Hyeri plays Yoo Je-i, a brilliant but calculating queen bee who hides emotional scars behind a perfect facade. The story follows Woo Seul-gi, portrayed by Jung Soo-bin, a transfer student from a rural orphanage investigating her fatherโs mysterious death. Her father, a former college entrance exam writer, adds a layer of intrigue to the plot.
The series, directed by Kim Tae Hee, blends psychological tension with complex character dynamics. It airs on U+tv and U+Mobile TV every Monday through Thursday at midnight. The show has broken viewership records, ranking first among original dramas on both platforms.
The Viral Kiss Scene
A moment in Friendly Rivalry episode 4, aired on February 11, 2025, has fueled much of the dramaโs buzz. In the scene, Yoo Je-i joins Woo Seul-gi in a bubble bath, leading to an intimate kiss. The teaser, released on February 7, showed a brief peck, but the full episode revealed a longer, more passionate sequence.
The scene, later revealed as part of Woo Seul-giโs dream, stunned viewers due to its rarity in K-dramas, where same-sex intimacy is uncommon. Fans flooded social media with reactions, praising the chemistry between Hyeri and Jung Soo-bin.
โLee Hyeri, idol, actress, tv personality and pioneer,โ wrote one netizen.
โI watched the ep without seeing spoilers so i was genuinely so shocked. korean drama that is gl and with a proper kissing scene, we used to pray for times like these,โ another commented on X.
โJaeyi Seulgi kisses so beautifully. look at their movements while kissing. oh my god so hot. GL Korea is on top,โ remarked a fan.
The sceneโs impact was amplified by Hyeriโs mainstream status as a former Girlโs Day member and a well-known actress from dramas like Reply 1988. Many called it a brave move, given South Koreaโs conservative cultural norms.
Hyeriโs Thoughts on the Scene
At a press conference on February 6, 2025, at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, Hyeri addressed the kiss scene. She expressed confidence in its necessity, emphasizing its role in defining the charactersโ relationship.
โWhen I read the script, the emotional flow was natural and entirely understandable. So I had no concerns about performing it. I felt that the scene was essential in explaining the relationship between the two characters,โ she said.
Hyeri later elaborated on March 27, 2025, during an appearance on Baek Eun Haโs Exchange YouTube show. She described the filming process as comfortable and natural.
โHonestly, it didnโt feel that different. People ask, โWhat was it like?โ or โHow did you prepare?โ but for me, it was just one of many scenes. I didnโt feel like I needed to emotionally brace myself for it,โ she shared.
โI just really wanted it to be portrayed beautifully. We didnโt want it to feel overly provocative or used as a gimmick. It was a very important scene, and both the director, Soo Bin, and I agreed: letโs make it look pretty,โ she added.
Hyeri also noted that kissing Jung Soo-bin felt โmore comfortingโ than scenes with male co-stars, a comment that went viral. Fans praised her openness, with reactions like:
โHyeri did a good job. She literally admitted that kissing Subin was more comforting than kissing men. Sheโs being obvious by saying that, and Subin is being obvious by promoting this video. Itโs romantic. Itโs called spark,โ one fan wrote.
โComfort is key! Love how she keeps it real,โ another added.
โThis is the first time Iโve seen a known Korean actress openly talk about liking kissing women more than with men,โ a third user commented.
Directorโs Vision and Controversy
Director Kim Tae Hee explained the sceneโs purpose, emphasizing authenticity over provocation. At the press conference, she said:
โWe aimed to portray teenage emotions realistically, but from the planning stage, we wrote the script with a mature audience in mind. We conducted extensive research and interviews to understand what todayโs teenagers think,โ she stated.
โRather than focusing on content restrictions, we prioritized capturing a reality that anyone who has experienced Koreaโs intense academic competitionโboth teenagers and adultsโcould relate to,โ she added.
However, the drama faced some backlash. A later episode on February 17, 2025, included a controversial heterosexual kiss scene imagined by Choi Kyeong (played by Oh Woo Ri), where Yoo Je-i kissed an unidentified man. Fans of the GL (Girlsโ Love) narrative criticized its relevance, with some expressing confusion on social media:
โWhat is this showโฆโ one fan posted, questioning the sceneโs place in a series centered on female-female romance.
Despite this, the dramaโs overall reception remained strong, with its nuanced portrayal of complex characters earning praise.
Hyeriโs Career Transformation
Hyeri, born Lee Hye-ri on June 9, 1994, rose to fame as the youngest member of Girlโs Day and gained widespread love for her role in Reply 1988. Her performance in Friendly Rivalry marks a bold shift from her earlier, brighter roles.
As Yoo Je-i, she portrays a cold, ruthless character with hidden vulnerabilities. Hyeri described the role as a chance to show a new side of herself:
โJae-yi hides her insecurities behind a flawless image. Her actions, though seemingly well-intentioned, often have ulterior motives. Sheโs merciless and calculating, which will surprise viewers,โ she said.
Her nuanced acting, including smoking and clubbing scenes, has been lauded as a career-defining moment. The dramaโs success, with teasers surpassing 600,000 views and a fan screening drawing over 400 attendees, underscores her growing influence.
Fan and Industry Reactions
The kiss scene and Hyeriโs performance have sparked widespread discussion. Fans celebrated the dramaโs bold storytelling, with posts on X reflecting excitement:
โGuys are we dreaming?!?! K-drama just entered the gl world with Hyeri as one of the main leads!!!! This cannot be happening,โ one user wrote.
โActress Subinโs (Seul Gi) very first on-screen kiss and itโs with Hyeri (Jae Yi),โ another added.
Industry figures also praised the show. Lee Deok-jae, Executive Vice President of STUDIO X+U, noted its appeal to Gen Z audiences and its unique narrative among school-centric dramas like Pyramid Game and Hierarchy.
As of April 24, 2025, Hyeri continues to lead the Baeksang Prism Popularity Award vote, with fans actively campaigning to widen the gap. The drama Friendly Rivalry concluded on March 6, 2025, but its impact lingers, with Hyeriโs performance earning her critical acclaim and a stronger fanbase.
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The Baeksang Awards will reveal whether Hyeri secures the popularity trophy, but her role in Friendly Rivalry has already cemented her as a versatile actress willing to push boundaries. Her candid remarks and fearless choices signal a new chapter in her career.
