As You Stood By: Netflix's Gripping New K-Drama Tackles Domestic Violence

Netflix's latest Korean thriller, "As You Stood By" (당신이 죽였다), premiered on November 7, 2025, and has already captured audiences worldwide with its intense portrayal of two women pushed to their breaking point. Based on Hideo Okuda's 2014 novel "Naomi and Kanako," the series follows two women who are driven to the brink, facing an inescapable reality that forces them to consider murder as their only way out.

The Powerhouse Cast

Jeon So-nee as Jo Eun-su

Jeon So-nee, born March 20, 1991, is known for her television series "Encounter" (2018-19), "When My Love Blooms" (2020), and "Our Blooming Youth" (2023), as well as the film "Soulmate" (2023). In "As You Stood By," she portrays Jo Eun-su, a capable assistant manager working in the luxury goods division of a high-end department store. Eun-su carries the weight of a deep-seated trauma since childhood, making her character complex and emotionally layered.

The actress graduated from the Seoul Institute of the Arts and made her acting debut through the independent film "Photo" in 2014. Her performance in "As You Stood By" showcases her ability to convey both professional composure and deep emotional turmoil, as she becomes entangled in her friend's desperate plan.

Lee Yoo-mi as Jo Hui-su

Lee Yoo-mi, born July 18, 1994, rose to international prominence for her role as Ji-yeong (Player 240) in "Squid Game" (2021), which made her the first Korean actress to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. Her global breakthrough saw her Instagram followers surge from 40,000 to over 6.5 million within days.

In "As You Stood By," Lee portrays Jo Hui-su, a children's book author trapped in a nightmare of domestic abuse. Hui-su suffers domestic violence from her husband and decides to murder him to save herself, involving her friend Eun-su in her scheme. Lee's nuanced performance captures the terror and desperation of a woman with seemingly no way out.

Since "Squid Game," Lee has demonstrated her versatility through roles in "All of Us Are Dead" (2022) as the villainous Lee Na-yeon, and "Strong Girl Nam-soon" (2023) as the titular character with superhuman strength.

Jang Seung-jo and Lee Moo-saeng

Jang Seung-jo makes a forceful impact in dual roles, flawlessly embodying two starkly contrasting characters: Hui-su's husband Noh Jin-pyo and Jang Kang, an employee at Jingang Trading. His portrayal of the abusive husband is chillingly effective, creating one of the most menacing antagonists in recent K-drama history.

Lee Moo-saeng commands the screen as Jin So-baek, the head of Jingang Trading with a dark past unknown to others, who quietly keeps watch over Eun-su and Hui-su. His mysterious character adds another layer of intrigue to the already tense narrative.

Domestic Violence in South Korea: A Critical Social Issue

"As You Stood By" doesn't just entertain, it shines a harsh spotlight on a pervasive problem in Korean society. The drama's unflinching portrayal of domestic abuse reflects a troubling reality that many Korean women and men face.

The Scope of the Problem

One out of six couples in South Korea has experienced more than one episode of physical violence from their spouse. The statistics paint a sobering picture of the scale of domestic violence in the country.

In 2020, the police charged 9,858 people for domestic violence, and of all those cases, 9,682 victims were women. However, these numbers only represent reported cases. As part of Korean culture, marital violence is often regarded as a private family issue rather than a crime or social issue. Accordingly, 50% of Korean adults reported that they did not wish to call the police for an incident of marital violence because "it is a family matter."

Cultural Attitudes and Barriers to Reporting

According to a study by the Korean Women's Development Institute, only 12.2% of Koreans understood the definition of domestic violence properly. The confusion about what constitutes domestic violence is striking: while 94.1% perceive that violent acts committed by a husband against his wife constitute domestic violence, only about 50% believe that a violent act committed by a wife against her husband qualifies as domestic violence.

When witnesses of domestic violence were surveyed, only 27.5% (64 out of 233) reported the incidents to police. The reasons for not reporting included not knowing whether the acts constituted domestic violence, thinking it was a family matter, feeling that reporting would make no difference, and fearing retaliation from the perpetrator.

The tradition of patriarchy is often deeply rooted in South Korean culture, with old sayings such as "Dried fish and women are better after they are beaten," reflecting common views on women as commodities of a household.

Progress and Ongoing Challenges

There has been some progress. The frequency of intimate partner violence dropped by approximately 50%, from 34.1% in 1999 to 16.5% in 2010, following the introduction of legislative countermeasures and support services. However, these rates remain higher than in many other developed countries.

According to the 2016 Domestic Violence Survey, the prevalence of intimate partner violence against female partners was 12.1%. Risk factors include experiencing or witnessing parental violence in childhood, lower household income, and tolerant attitudes toward intimate partner violence.

The drama "As You Stood By" emerges in this context as both entertainment and social commentary, portraying the desperation that drives women to consider extreme measures when they feel trapped and unsupported by society.

⚠️ SPOILER SECTION AHEAD ⚠️

Plot Overview and Major Spoilers

The series begins with the complex relationship between childhood friends Jo Eun-su and Jo Hui-su. While Eun-su appears successful on the surface, she carries deep trauma from her past. Hui-su, meanwhile, is living in hell, trapped in a marriage with the violent and controlling Noh Jin-pyo.

As Hui-su's situation becomes increasingly desperate, the two friends hatch a plan to kill Jin-pyo. However, their carefully laid scheme begins to unravel when unexpected complications arise. The mysterious Jin So-baek enters their lives, offering help but with unclear motivations.

The fact that Jin-pyo's mother and sister knew that Hui-su was being abused and did nothing about it is particularly disturbing. The sister's role as a police officer who fails to protect Hui-su adds another layer of systemic failure to the story.

Director Lee Jung-rim, who previously helmed "Revenant" and "VIP," delivers both razor-edge, unpredictable suspense and deeply emotional moments throughout the series.

The Ending

The series concludes with Hui-su getting closure and not having to look behind her back at every turn. The fresh start with So-baek and Eun-su in Vietnam, where they all figure out how to move on, is sweet even if somewhat unrealistic.

However, the ending has divided viewers. Some felt that Eun-su and Hui-su constantly kept So-baek in the dark and only accepted his help when he refused to stand down, questioning whether his care for the women was sufficient motivation for him to uproot his life and move to a new place with them.

Critical Reception

The drama has received mixed reviews. Many viewers found it thrilling, captivating, and enthralling from the start, with top-tier acting and a tight plot that keeps audiences glued to the screen. The emotional depth and the portrayal of trauma resonated strongly with audiences.

However, some critics noted weaknesses in the writing and found certain plot elements unrealistic or unnecessary. The Jang Kang storyline felt completely unnecessary to some viewers, who suggested the show would have been stronger without the last two episodes.

Final Thoughts

"As You Stood By" is a bold, unflinching examination of domestic violence wrapped in a suspenseful thriller. It's not an easy watch—scenes of abuse are difficult to stomach but the drama serves an important purpose in bringing this hidden crisis into public view.

As one viewer noted, "Domestic violence is really scary. It's good she got friends ready to help her, while in real life some women don't get that much support from others. They're told 'it's your problem, it's a family matter, I don't want to interfere.' No friends, no help, no one ready to protect them."

The series challenges viewers to think about how society enables domestic violence through silence and inaction, and asks what we owe to those who are suffering. While the ending may offer a somewhat idealized resolution, the journey there forces uncomfortable but necessary conversations about violence, justice, and survival.

"As You Stood By" is currently streaming on Netflix, with all episodes available for viewing.