As You Stood By

5 brilliant episodes

The good:

-this is a drama with an important topic and for about 5 episodes it was more than brilliant. Lee You-mi's performance alone was so outstanding as victim of heavy domestic abuse, I really hope she gets every award possible for the role.

-for the first half, the drama managed to capture the fear and emotional extreme situation of victims of domestic violence - and for a change (which was good!) it showed that domestic violence is not only happening in low income, low background areas (how it is depicted most often) but also in high society, where abusers use their power and money to cover up their crimes easily.

-some things were shown very realistically- for example that Cho Eun-su, herself traumatised by a violent father figure in her childhood, could do any sort of artificial self-defence training as much as she wants, when the actual real danger situation occurs with a very violent real attacker, who is much stronger than her, she has no chance to fight him for many reasons. That's an important lesson for women if you want to learn how you might really have a chance defending yourself against a real attack - and it's none of the artificial fight sport trainings, as they are that - artificial, with opponents who only do a certain set of artificial attacks and moves, and stop when it starts hurting.


the bad:

- from episode 5 on many things didn't make any logical sense anymore and logic was thrown out the window for the sake of creating cliffhanger situations and thriller elements by the writers.

-it didn't make any sense that Jang Gang looked exactly ( as in more a clone than a twin) like No Jin Pyo - and on top, he is in the very same area of Seoul AND for a very strange resaon to start with Cho Eun-Su sees this very identical person while trying to retrieve a stolen luxury watch. Propabilities for this are simply zero. As for the character of Jang Gang, they could at least have worked with small prostetics, like changing his (veeeery distinctive!) ear shape and giving him false teeth. A character like Jang Gang with his background does certainly NOT have super white, straight perfect clean Hollywood teeth. As he is shown as a heavy smoker and with a criminal street past, he would not have these perfect teeth at this age in any universe.

-While, as always, Jang Seung-jo delivered an excellent performance in both roles, the figure of Jang Gang didn't make any realistic sense to me. The switch from being a submissive, quiet, stuttering low job worker to full blown, crazy laughing psycho? (And this crazy laughter was stolen from 'my name' genius psycho role Do Kang-jae by the way) Nah, sorry. If that guy had been that kind of uncontrolled psychopath, he wouldn't have worked for a long time for Jin So-beak before and he wouldn't have stayed hidden and low profile in general. Also he really did have a family (wife and child) in Shanghai as can be seen in the airport footage shown, so he comes back to threaten Hui-su and his whole demeanor changed? Nah, someone like that, if he would go back to blackmail her for more money, he would act at least normal to stay low and get the money - like he did before. To act out like a crazy person in the middle of the city doesn't make sense and was just written like that to create a fear and danger situation for the two women.

-Also factual mistakes began to show - when Jang-Gang comes back to threaten Hui-su, while he does have the dead man's phone, why would he suddenly have the door passcode to the appartment? If so, he would also have the pass code to the safe. So again, this situation of Hui-su hearing the beeping code of the door and a man just entering her place was just written to create horror and fear, but without brain, as the guy wouldn't have had the pass code.

-While Jin So-beak was a fantastic character for himself, his connection and will to risk his own life, business, everything for the two women didn't make sense either? Why would he do that? Was he attracted to Eun-su from the start? Well, after a while, honestly, nothing came of it, so in reality, a guy like him would simply have lost interest in her and her situation. The drama never explains his motivation to any degree that would make sense of his actions. The fact that 20 years ago he lost his son (something he and Hui-su have kind of in common but he finds out very late anyways) was not a motivation for all he did then.

-the police sister of the villain - didn't make sense in many situations either. So what position did she actually have as an officer? How is it possible she can spend almost all her work time alone (and not with at least one colleague) doing all the things she does? That wasn't realistic at all.

- my biggest problem comes in the end: so, to give this ( as it is a Netflix production after all) a forced moral message, they ruined the end for me. Both women admit to their crime, give apologetic and 'wise' statements in court - and don't even tell the truth? The truth was, yes, they had PLANNED to kill a man, but, (which was realistic) he found out about that plan, and what actually happened was that HE attacked both women brutally and was about to actually kill Eun-su, when Hui-su, in actual SELF-DEFENSE! - killed him to prevent him from killing her friend. In every normal universe, a defense lawyer would have brought this up and followed on it to reach a not guilty-verdict - and it would have been the truth! Instead they create this Kindergarten-morality, and Hui-su saying she killed her husband?

-And it gets worse! Eun-so has her turn too to tell the jury how 'guilty' she is - and says something I find highly problematic. She actually blames herself in retrospective, as in when she was a very small child and had to endure her violent father beating and abusing her mother- and she says and implies that little children are at fault for reacting with ignoring such situations when they are over? NO! Little children NEVER have ANY fault in howEVER they react to such super traumatic situations! It is a very wrong, and dangerous message to tell any victim of also former domestic abuse, that it was in any way their fault when they were just small children.



Result:

Stellar acting performances, especially by Lee-You-mi, a good start of a storyline with a very important topic.
Sadly for the sake of creating thriller and tension elements, the writers threw logic out of the window in many scenes from episode 5 on.
While this would have had great potential for important messaging to try to enable and encourage victims of domestic abuse to at least try and get help, they ruin this message in the end by letting the two women repent like sinners and give off messaging that is the opposite of encouragement.

And yes, I get it, they can't end such a story on the note that the women get away completely unbothered because they would probably get legal trouble concering encouraging people to kill their violent spouses.
But they would have had a chance to show that even IF the women get to court, they CAN get a good defense lawyer who, in such crass cases of abuse and a killing in self-defense, (maybe even adding temporary insanity due to not only her own life being in acute danger, but also her having to watch her abuser killing her best friend and life anchor) could have reached an acquittal instead of a prison sentence.

Acting and idea 10 - storyline decline and very questionable messaging 3. - I'd still give it a 6 because of the partly very good acting performances.

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As You Stood By Shines with Heart and Realism

As You Stood By stands out as a gripping, emotionally resonant drama that dives into the dark realities of abuse and power within Korea’s patriarchal system. Its strength lies in raw, fearless storytelling and exceptional performances—Lee Moo Saeng’s intimidating realism and Jeon So Nee’s quiet resilience are unforgettable. Yet, like many K-dramas, it ultimately conforms to the “moral rule,” resolving injustice neatly through predictable punishment and redemption. While the conclusion may comfort viewers with moral closure, it softens the harsh truth that, in reality, both the innocent and the guilty endure lifelong struggles beyond any scripted justice.

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Marriage Behind Closed Doors

I usually don't like watching triggering things or things that are honestly graphic with abuse in them, but I decided to give this a try.
I watched it all in one day, and honestly, I felt so heartbroken for those who actually go through this type of abuse.
It's filled with intense emotions every second in every episode has me on the edge of my seat.

In this Korean drama, you see two best friends who are afraid of violence, one is trying to escape from her past trauma with DV, and the other is trying to escape her marriage with DV.

This K-drama really does show a lot of what could happen behind closed doors without anyone knowing.
Overall, it's sad to think that this could be a reality in someone's marriage or relationship. It's a good watch, but be careful if you're sensitive to these types of abuse topics.

(My second review I've ever written)

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Walk on By

This had so much potential. Yet, it was ridiculously executed.

Wife is abused by husband. Wife’s bff stepped in and decided to help bc bff’s mother was abused, and her client at the department store committed suicide due to abuse. Bff decided to be the heroine after turning away the other women in her life who suffered greatly.

2 women affected by domestic violence plotted revenge- kill the husband. Cool, right?? No. The idea was cool- then it became a comedy.

They had no idea what they were doing. Female bad ass-ism became sloppy murder, followed by stupid identity swap (how convenient) and more messy messy webs. Instead of a message about female empowerment, they fucked up the murder plot and had to be saved by another male over and over again. Even the male character was questioning why they were both so fucking stupid.

What should’ve happened- no identity swap. They plot the murder, executed it well, no suspicion. Wife learns to cope with her trauma, builds herself back up. Sister finds evidence, in the end, decides not to turn the wife in because she realized she also contributed to his murder by not acknowledging what he did wrong.

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As You Stood By (2025): A Masterpiece of Social Realism

Rating: 10/10 (A True Gem)

As You Stood By is not just a thriller; it is a profoundly moving and essential piece of storytelling that confronts the difficult realities often silenced within modern, yet deeply patriarchal, Korean society. This drama fearlessly places the toxic marriage and the epidemic of domestic violence against women at its core, offering a raw, unflinching look at victimhood, complicity, and the desperate search for liberation. This is a rare gem, deserving of every accolade for its bold thematic approach and flawless execution.

Exceptional Performance and Realism

What elevates this series is the absolute conviction of its cast. The entire ensemble delivers performances that are 100 times better than expected, making their characters feel intensely real and multi-layered.

Lee Moo Saeng is phenomenal as the CEO. His portrayal is a compelling subversion of the typical drama antagonist—he is a "thug CEO" who is actively working and managing his business, lending a palpable sense of reality and gravitas to his presence. His character is noted for feeling distinctly authentic, serving as a powerful force in the narrative.

Jeon So Nee is incredible, portraying a character and performance that feels deeply grounded and real, commanding the audience's empathy and attention as she navigates her complicated role in the unfolding chaos.

Lee Yoo Mi and Jang Seung Jo deserve special recognition for their intense portrayal of the abusive marriage dynamics. Their chemistry, though toxic, powerfully conveys the devastating psychological and physical toll of domestic violence on the victim and the victim's ultimate desperation.

Overall, I really liked this short 8-episode drama. It doesn’t waste a single second on nonsense — everything feels purposeful, sharp, and emotionally grounded. The pacing was great, and even the ending, while not the ideal “happy escape,” made sense. Given how much chaos unfolded, it was impossible for the leads to get away with everything once more people started finding out about the murder. Still, a part of me wished they could have.

What did bother me a little was the misleading synopsis. It says “Jin So Baek, the powerful CEO of Jingang Firm, becomes aware of their intentions and offers his support, becoming a strong ally in their dangerous mission.” That’s not quite true — he only becomes their partner around episode 6. Before that, the main crime, including the murder, was committed by the two female leads.

Jin So Baek’s character was fantastic, though. Strong, calm, and complex. But one decision confused me — when he got Jang Gang’s other phone in episode 6, the one with evidence against the female leads, he should have taken it. Leaving it behind only helped Jang Gang find the grave later, which felt like a small plot slip.

Another thing that stood out was how far Jin So Baek went to help these two women. He risked everything — even doing things that could easily make him an accomplice. I get why — there was definitely a subtle romantic connection with the first female lead and a deep emotional bond with the second, tied to his loss of a child. But the drama never said it outright. There were no words, no confession, not even a kiss. Her eyes often gave away those hidden feelings, but I wish the show had given us some closure on that front — a hint that they might have become something more.

The ending, showing all three of them in Vietnam, felt more open-ended than satisfying in that regard.

Still, As You Stood By is an amazing drama. It delivers a powerful message about the lasting impact of domestic violence, and every actor performed flawlessly — a true 100/100 in acting and emotion.

Final Verdict

As You Stood By is a work of art that demands to be seen. It succeeds where many dramas falter, providing a story that is not only thrilling but genuinely meaningful. It is a cinematic triumph that handles its heavy subject matter with incredible sensitivity and impact. A true gem that words struggle to describe, this drama easily earns a perfect 10/10 rating.

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Hui Su, Eun Su and us

Before I'll start this review, I'd like to present some facts regarding violence against women in South Korea, in order to understand how important it is to have a drama that addresses this topic.

According to this article (https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-04-24/national/socialAffairs/1-in-3-women-a-victim-of-relationship-abuse-Gender-Ministry-survey-finds/2293311) , more than one in three Korean women has experienced violence at least once in their lifetime at the hands of a current or former ppartner. The types of abuse are various and the most common ones are physical and emotional violence. Violence rates in South Korea have surged up, making society dangerous for women. When asked about whether they believed if korean society was safe or not, a total of 51,6% answered that Korean society is not safe from violence - a clear indicator of how common violence against women is in South Korea.

While most people watch kdramas in order to relax and ease up their mind, it's not possible to escape the hard cold reality. Many kdramas tend to glamorize korean society and sugar coat the hardships women have to endure. While it's by no means bad to present something light to your audience, we cannot (and we mustn't) hide behind our fingers. No matter how triggering the topic of domestic abuse might be, more people need to be aware of this problem in order to take more measures.

As You Stood By is a drama that deals with the ongoing issue of domestic violence against women. Through Eun Su and Hui Su's story, we observe the horrors that take place behind the closed doors and the trauma that's caused to the victims. The powerful message is presented on the first episodes and the writer's intention to illustrate the cruel reality are crystal clear.

On an interview the director, Lee Jung Min, stated how disturbing it would be to visually depict violent scenes and thus, the team decided to focus on the before and after rather the physical contact. Having watched the series, I could tell how much care and caution had been put in the making of these scenes. I dislike media which exploit violent scenes for shock value, especially if the victims are females. It gets to a point where the emotional impact is lost. When creators overuse violent scenes or present them too graphically, the message is not delivered efficiently.

That wasn't the case with As You Stood By. Obviously there were scenes that portrayed violence. But they were handled very well and instead of relying on the on-screen abuse, they highlighted the psychological distress of thewomen. Instead of showing the beating itself, we see Hui Su's face before and after the damage. Instead of showing Eun Su's father beating their mom, we see a montage of her and her brother hiding in the closet. The editing and sound design during these scenes was phenomenal, it added more tension and made the story even more impactful.

A particular scene that has stayed with me, days after finishing the drama, is the one from the second episode when Jin Pyo beats Hui Su with his shoe. While he kept hitting her on her head, we never see the beating but as he continues, the surrounding noises started to fade. It was as if we, the viewers, were the ones who were getting beaten. The scene felt so realistic and raw, I almost held my breath in fear while I was watching it.

When women like Eun Su and Hui Su are abused by men, what can they do? When society keeps protecting men with power in order not to tarnish their reputation, how can the victims find the courage to expose the truth? When the law fails to do its job and deliver justice, how can women trust it? The repeated cycle of abuse drives the victims to great lengths. In Eun Su and Hui Su's case, the solution is one: murder. Although murder itself is a crime, the drama makes us question the choice of the two women, raising interesting questions regarding morality.

The drama doesn't necessarily try to frame the murder of Jin Pyo as entirely good or bad. What it tries to do instead is showcase that when everyone fail to protect abused women, they will take matters into their own hands. Hui Su did everything in her power to put an end to her torture. She tried to be an obedient wife. She tried to report her husband to the police. She tried to leave. But nothing was achieved. So who are we to moralize her decision?

As You Stood By does an excellent job portraying ignorance towards violence as a serious crime itself. Knowing that a woman is getting abused and doing nothing about it makes us accomplices to the violence. Turning a blind eye only enables the abusers to keep doing what they do. When they are aware of the fact that no one is going to report them and that they cannot be punished, they feel more powerful and confident. This is why bystanders must take actions into their own hands and help the victims however they can. Otherwise, they contribute to the cycle of abuse.

All the actors did an excellent job portraying their characters and their emotions. Jeon So Nee was great as Eun Su. I could see how conflicted she was and how guilty she felt over the fact she hadn't had the courage to report her father or the abusive husband of her client. Eun Su was a very complex character, whose motives were shaped by her abusive household. As a kid, she saw her father hitting her mother and she take it upon herself to become her younger brother's guardian by keeping him oblivious to the violence that surrounded her. As an adult, she learned martial arts in order to find some type of protection against men. She tried to ignore the violence around her and she pretended that her father didn't hit her mom but deep down, she knew that she just wanted to find a way to escape.

Eun Su's fear is not portrayed in a bad light. The drama doesn't try to accuse Eun Su nor put the blame on herself. But Eun Su herself comes to the realization that ignorance is equally lethal. She refuses to remain a bystander who does nothing and the moment she realises that Hui Su is in great danger, she immediately takes action. Her development was powerful and it reminded us that we can always find the strength to help the victims.

Lee Yu Mi delivered an award worthy performance. Hui Su's fear became my own. Her expressions, her body language, the wavering in her voice when she faced her husband. Her portrayal was painfully realistic and it pained me to watch her. I couldn't fathom how many women like Hui Su have to endure this kind of treatment every day, in all places of the world. Hui Su was a prisoner in her own marriage. She wasn't able to meet her friends or perform any activities that brought her joy. She wasn't able to wear different clothes, in fear of exposing her bruises. She was belittled and she was physically, mentally and sexually abused on a daily basis. Just by watching the fear in her eyes every time her behavior wasn't appropriate, according to Jin Pyo, I feared for her life. Lee Yu Mi was spectacular in this role and her performance was extremely powerful and moving.

The relationship between the two women felt like a breath of fresh air. Many kdramas have pitied women against each other for the sake of a man but As You Stood By breaks the norms by having its female leads teaming up against the man. Eun Su and Hui Su's unconditional support and love towards each other was so heartwarming to see. Both of them felt responsible for each other, especially Eun Su who wanted to save her friend from her abusive husband. The scenes between them put a smile on my face, particularly the brief moments of peace. Albeit, short, the moments of happiness and bliss brought a smile to my face. Hui Su felt so secure and happy around Eun Su. She could leave her guard down and enjoy her time, indulging in activities like an excited child. The few flashbacks we got highlighted their bond and the actresses had great chemistry which added to the characters' friendship.

Of course I couldn't forget to praise Jang Seung Jo's double performance as Jin Pyo, Hui Su's husband and Jang Gang, his look-alike. He was terrifying in both roles and he knew how to switch his character. Jin Pyo ignited great fear in me with his sadistic and unpredictable behavior. During the first episodes, there were times when I flinched just from seeing him on the screen. I could feel my survival instincts wake up and I was constantly alert. Seung Jo transformed into the character, although the character was cruel and scary, his performance was so captivating to the point I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, despite my discomfort.

His portrayal of Jang Bang was equally engaging. The contrast between the two characters was so bizarre and yet he switched his roles effortlessly. When Jang Bang revealed his true colours, I was once again terrified by his psychotic actions and outbursts. It felt like I was watching two different actors.

Aside from Jin Pyo, the series presents two other major villains: his mother and his sister. Both of these characters worked as a sad reminder of how some people not only remain ignorant of the abuse on purpose but they side with the abusers too. Both women were aware of Jin Pyo's actions and Hui Su's mistreatment and yet, they did absolutely nothing. Not only did they not hold Jin Pyo accountable for his behavior, but they shifted the blame on Hui Su. "If only people avoided provoking violence and both sides did their part" was one of the things Jin Pyo's mother said to Hui Su and I was shocked when I heard it. What do you mean "provoking violence"? How could the victims provoke it? And how could they do " their part"? It was as if she was implying that the abuse was deserved and that victims asked to be abused. As for the sister, she was only worried about her reputation getting tarnished rather the fact her brother was an abuser. Jin Pyo was sick but his family's behavior was equally bad. All of them were egoistic people, who only cared about themselves and who treated Hui Su as something disposable. Not a moment passed when I didn't wish for their downfall and thankfully, I wasn't disappointed.

As much as I acknowledge the importance of adapting a story like this and even though I have already praises the drama, I must say that while the first episodes were near perfect, the story went downhill during the second half. The first half was focused more on Eun Su and Hui Su. We saw their backstory, the violence they were exposed to and the trauma they had to deal with. The first episodes were emotional depth while the story was very engaging. But once the plot twist with Jang Bang occurred, I found my interest decreasing. If the drama followed the novel's story by the book, I could excuse this shift. Still, the execution could have been better.

After the fifth episode, the message got kinda lost in translation. Instead of focusing on the women and their emotional journey, the focus was put on their attempt to stop Jang Bang. At the same time, Jin Pyo's sister got involved more but instead of feeling worried about our leads, I felt bored. There were times when I was tempted to skip some scenes that didn't involve Hui Su and Eun Su. I understand the purpose of the plot twist and the sister's involvement but it kinda ruined the story for me. I really wish the writers had explored the girls' feelings more or that we had seen more interactions with their families. It would have been nice if we had gotten more moments between Eun Su, her mother and her brother, especially once the brother acknowledged Eun Su's protection when he was little. It would have added more layers to their trauma and bond and it would have been a nice opportunity to showcase how domestic violence affects familial relationships.

Additionally, there weretimes when the script didn't feel that tight. I can still think of some plot holes that didn't get cleared away. How come neither JinPyo's mother nor the sister recognise Eun Su, since she was at Hui Su's wedding? I get that this implies how little they cared about Hui Su and the people she associated herself with but at the same time, I still cannot understand how come they didn't remember her. And what about Jang Bang's family? The CCTV showed him hugging his son once he landed at the airport but we never learned more of his background or if he faked it. Jang Bang's shift in general felt confusing since I really doubt that someone with psychotic tendencies like him would have been able to keep a modest facade for such a long time, let alone years. I really wish the writers had given answers to some of the questions instead of assuming the audience would just fill the gaps.

All in all, As You Stood By remains a vital kdrama. Its message is painfully relevant and it needs to be heard by more people. We cannot keep ignoring what is going on around us and we cannot keep turning a blind eye on those who need help. Let's not allow ourselves to be accomplices in violence. We can and we must put an end to it, if possible. This was not just Eun Su and Hui Su's story. It was about Eun Su, Hui Su and us.

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EVERY STORY DESERVES TO BE TOLD!!!

Every story deserves to be told. Every problem deserves to be seen and understood because that’s how we enlighten people about what’s really happening. Yes, domestic abuse is a serious issue, but that doesn’t mean we should stop sharing these stories. Too many people still feel like they’re suffering alone. The more we speak up, the more we remind them: you’re not the only one, and you’re not invisible.

Drama review:
Everyone delivered seriously, I loved every bit of it!! That scene where the officer snatched the cap off that clueless detective head so the press could get a clear shot of her face? Iconic. We need more stories like this. Domestic violence survivors deserve to know they’re not alone. Sometimes, all it takes is one brave person or one decisive moment to change everything. Keep speaking up. Keep walking forward.

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sad but mid

first few episodes were excellent. the portayal of domestic abuse is pretty explicit and shocking, but it was necessary for the plot. i enjoyed the planning of his murder and his actual death very much. just what he deserved.

but, the rest of the story is literal hot garbage lol wdym this random doppelganger is a psychopath??? actually, why did we even go the doppelganger path??? i thought he was like a long lost brother or something but he's genuinely a complete stranger and that's just ridiculous. his character made no sense. the sister in law character is despicable and had absolutely no redeeming qualities but i guess it just runs in the family. i think i might have actually enjoyed this more if this was a story of overcoming the fear and escaping him to then serve revenge rather than a murder plot because people can't just murder their abusers and find doppelgangers to try and get away with it... so. they literally had the random rich gangster character right there. they could have used him to form that plotline. but, murder!!! wow!!!

also holy shit the scene where his dead body appears in the rain with his eyes wide open is pure nightmare fuel, actually got a scare out of me

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A story we have to talk about

First of all, this is definitely not a series that everyone can watch, as it deals with domestic violence.

Eun Su and Hui Su are two friends who have known each other since childhood. Each of them carries their own life trauma, but everything changes when a major event occurs.

I really enjoyed the series and the characters of Eun Su and Hui Su. You grow attached to them and genuinely empathize with their situations.

What I liked the most is how the series shows that domestic violence affects not only the victim, but also everyone around them. People see what is happening but say nothing, and that is what shocked me the most. Unfortunately, this reflects reality: abused people are often abandoned and not believed by those around them, not to mention the police.

The scenes where Hui Su is beaten by her husband are extremely violent, but the actors and the entire production team did an amazing job making them feel as realistic as possible.

Regarding the relationship between Eun Su and So Baek, I saw many comments hoping they would end up together, which really surprised me. Personally, I saw their relationship more as a father-daughter bond or a mentor-student dynamic. Yes, their first meeting is very strange, but it’s not like they were flirting or anything.

The negative point of the series, in my opinion, is the doppelganger plot. It honestly annoyed me. It was predictable, and I felt like it took something away from a series that was otherwise very strong.

Despite that, it clearly remains in my top.

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