For this review, I’m going to switch it up. Instead of waiting until the entire series has ended, I will be reviewing each episode in detail as I watch. If you prefer no spoilers and just a light review, stop at the caution line.
Let’s get into it!
About a week ago, while aimlessly scrolling through tik tok, I came across a preview (… or was it an edit?) for As You Stood By. Once I noticed one of characters from Squid Game, Lee Yoo-mi, and caught the premise of the series. I was like Oh yeah, I’m definitely watching that next month. (And) voila, here I am. It’s the next month and I’m watching it.
As You Stood by is a 2025 Kdrama Netflix Series starring Jeon So-Nee as Jo Eun-Su, and Lee Yoo-Mi as Hui-Su, about two best friends who team up to put an end to an abusive relationship.
Beyond the surface plot, the series dives into themes of loyalty, resilience, and the courage it takes to confront abuse. Each actor delivers a strong performance. From Jeon So-Nee’s and Lee Yoo-Mi’s portrayal of an authentic relationship, to Jang Seung-Jo’s ability to embody two different characters at once. He was so good, I genuinely forgot that Jin Pyo and Jang Kang were being played by the same person.
I was hooked from the jump. The story line moved quickly, so it didn’t take long for me to get in the groove or start seeing the premise of the series play out like a normal kdrama. I also liked the format of the series, each episode felt like a puzzle. Each episode felt like a puzzle, with missing pieces filled in by the next. You’d watched one episode and then in order to fully understand it, you’d have to watch the next.
As for the visuals, they were nice. It was moody and gloomy which fit the plot of the drama. It wasn’t anything astonishing though. The cinematography reminded me a lot of The Trunk. I guess it’s because they were both Korean Netflix series.
Eun-su
The first character we are introduced to is Eun Sue. Eun Su works as a saleswoman for a luxury department store. She’s the best at what she does and manages to be well respected and liked by her all her colleagues. Eun Su had a very traumatic childhood that still haunts her to this day. Her and her younger brother grew up witnessing the abuse of their mother by their father. Because of this she practices jiu jitsu to cope with this trauma; either as a way to take control since she couldn’t when she was a kid while her mom was being abused or she doesn’t want to be in the same situation as her mom and does this as a preventative measure/just in case it happens to her.
Jin So-baek
Then we meet Jin So Baek. At the beginning of the episode I didn’t like Jin So Baek AT ALL! He was acting like the world revolved around him. Plus he’s stubborn. But as the episode went on, he seems accepting of Eun Sue, I also thinks he likes her. The moment that really changed my opinion on him, was when his stubborn self showed a form of empathy for the abused client that took her life. Calling the men who abuse their wives “Abusive A$*holes. When he said that, I was like, alright king, you're alright with me..maybe. I'm not sure about him yet though. Something about him still seems off.
Hui-su
And finally, Hui Su. She and Eun Su have been friends since middle school. One day, Hui Su noticed Eun Su having a panic attack, triggered by the day before, when Eun Su saw her mom try to take her own life by jumping out a window. So when a group of girls in class were playing next a window, it triggered Eun Su off into tears, and without even fully knowing her, Hui Su comforted her with a hug and a smile. She was bubbly, full of life, and was always there for Eun Su in her hardest moments.
But things changed after Hui Su got married. She goes out less, barely answers her phone and has stopped her dream of becoming a children’s author. She’s a completely different person now. Turns out she’s this way because of her abusive husband, Jin Pyo, who has her trapped in their luxury condo, miserable and was on the brink of giving up entirely… until Eun Su shows up and pulls her back.
Episode 2
I was expecting this episode to continue where we left off, but to my surprise, it gave the backstory of previous events from the first episode while also letting us know more about Hui Su and her marriage.
From the first episode I knew Hui Su had a passion for art and wanted to make childrens book. What I did not know is not only was she an artist, but she was an artist that had notoriety. She was well known and loved by kids and their parents. Finding this out makes me even more upset that she was forced to remove apart of her identity.
Hui Su Tried To Escape Three Times
As Hui Sui was about the flee the country, she received a video call, and it was of her mother's hand covered in blood. Then she got a call saying she had two hours to return back home. Or else the mother was going to be in more danger.
Then she tried filing a police report, unknowingly at the station Jin Pyo's (her husband's) sister, Jin Young, was assigned to. The sister indirectly warned her not to do it.
Her last attempt at running aways from him, was to take her own life. But Eun Su came just in time to stop her. Hui Su says the abuse won't end until someone dies. Eun Su says "Let's kill him".
What We know About Jin Pyo's (Hui Su's Husband)
Jin Pyo works in finance. His mother is a wealthy Anti domestic violence activists, and his sister is a detective. what a coincidence right?
Episode 3
Eun Su & Hui Su's Master Plan
Eun Su & Hui Su finally have a plan on how to get rid of Hui Su's husband and it involves on of Jin So Baek's workers who just so happens to look like Hui Su's husband.
This guy from earlier. His name is Jang Kang. Turns out he's a chinese immigrant who doesn't have his papers, because of this, he has to work under the table jobs (at Jin So Baek's factory) to get by. Anyways Eun Su tells him, she can get him back to his home country with a stack of money, but the catch is he has to use someone's identity aka Jin Pyo.
Execution of the plan
For a second I thought they had the wrong "Jin Pyo" I thought they accidently got him mixed up with Jang Kang. But false alarm wipes forehead. Jin Pyo is now dead and they put his body in a suitcase.
Jin So Baek is weary of Jang Kang (Jin Pyo's doppelgänger) and knows something is up, but can't put his finger on it. But Jang Kang has successfully made it to the airport and boarded the plane.
Hui Su is Hallucinating
Hui Su keeps seeing blood and her Jin Pyo, but in reality Jin Pyo neither the blood is there. She's hallucinating.
Jin Young stops by
Just as i suspected. She's aware of hui Su's abuse, but she's only there because of her reputation. She thinks her brother is cheating and wants him to lay low until she lands her job.
Mission Complete
Eun Su and Hui Su have sucessuflly buried the suitcase, and Jang Kang has landed back in China with his family.
Episode 5
The Backstory
Hui Su is calling around creating a backstory for Jin Pyo's disappearance. The company seems to think he embezzled money. The sister thinks he's a serial cheater & the mom is upset Hui Su's not crying? Still can't figure out if she's clueless to hui Su's abuse or not.. but overall, things seem to be working out smoothly.
Things are looking up... kinda
Hui Su is gaining her independence again. She's wearing clothes that she used to before the marriage. She used to wear short sleeves, skirts that shows off her legs, but once she started getting abused Jin Pyo only allowed her to wear long sleeves and long skirts/dresses/ She's also embarking on a new journey and is now a working woman again. She works at Jin So Baek's factory thanks to Eun Su. I swear he has a soft spot for her and I love it. He's growing on me. Eun Su confronted her dad about his abuse towards her mom again, except this time she threaten to cut off all communications with him if he does it again. Her and her brother will stop talking to him. She takes her mom out to a mother and daughter day. Things are looking up. Everyone seems to think Jin Pyo has ran off with money, even his sister...
everyone except Jin Pyo's mother who's in cahoots with the security guard at Hui Su's condo. He's recording everytime Hui Su leaves the house and what she's wearing. Another person who also isn't falling for the story is Jin Pyo's coworker. He gave Jin Pyo's sister his card to contact him because the case didn't sit right with him. Luckily the sister threw away the card.
Me when Jang Kang walked into the house
Jang Kang Is Back
When I saw Kang Jang walk through that door, I was like ummm what are you doing???? Not only did he come back, he's back with with a vengeance. He's here to collect more money cause what they gave him was chump change. What I'm trying to figure out is, how's his personality is a complete 180? He was so humble and quiet in the beginning; hiding from the police, walking with his head down and now he just doesn't care at all. Like what's the difference? Was he sober before and now that he drinks he has no inhibitions?
Anyways Jang Kang seems a bit more dangerous than Jin Pyo... he actually has a body (he killed the security guard at the condo). He told Hui Su and Eun Su that he wants 3.1 million dollars, which was originally 3 million but once he got into an argument with Eun Su, he realized he should be charging more because he was able to restore Jin Pyo's phone; the one Eun Su gave him going to china. That phone has a lot of evidence.
Eun Su is taking charge. She's trying to handle Jang Kang by herself. Telling the chairman of her company that she needs to hire a detective for one of her "rich clients" to take care of a situation.
Just so happens that jin So Baek works for/with the chairman of Eun Su's company. So he's finally catching onto what's really going on, and he's doing things behind the scenes to keep and eye on Jang Kang. I hope he can help stop him.
Jin So Baek Knows The Tea
Eun Su's Plans Goes Left & Jin Pyo's Sister is Getting on My Nerves
Eun Su set up a meeting with Jang Kang to give him the money... or that's what he thinks. But in reality she was trying to drop him off with that under cover blackmarket guy that also works for the chairman of her company. Jang Kang picks up on what's going on and fights Eun Su while driving she crashes and he ends up running aways.
He then runs into Jin Pyo's sister who's been following Hui Su & Eun Su around all day.
I'm normally not one for violence... but can someone get rid of her please? She's so annoying. She's going out her way, not for the justice of her brother, but just so she can land that damn job.
Episode 7
Jin Young & Jang Kang Meet
Jang Kang walks to the car thinking Jin Young is just some random stranger. Then suddenly he has flashbacks to the photos in Jin Pyo's phone and realize who she is. Then he tries to get out the car, but Jin Young was not having it. They end up tussling as well but this time Jang Kang loses and Jin Young puts him in her trunk.
Jin Young then she leaves the car in her mother's garage with Jang Kang in the trunk.
Eun Su Kidnaps Jang Kang
Jin so Baek decides to leave Jang Kang tied up in a basement, with this guy in charge.
When I saw him, I knew things were going to go left. He already got beat up by Jang Kang so I know for a fact Jang Kang isn't scared of him. Plus he's a sweet guy and Jang Kang knew this as well and he starts coughing acting like he's in desperate need of water, the guy being the sweetheart he is gets up to give Jang Kang the water bottle then BOOM. Jang Kang has the poor guy in a headlock and next thing you see is him driving Jang Kang to his next destination.
Jin Young & Jang Kang Meet again
Jang Kang brings her to the spot where the body is, but they weren't able to find it. Jin Young then knocks out Jang Kang with a shovel.
He should've never took his eyes off her. She literally left him to die in a car. I would not have her out of my sight.
Jin Young calls Hui Su acting as if she found the body and tells Hui Su she needs to kill herself, or else Eun Su's going to be in trouble. Hui Su being very protective over Eun Su does what she says. She parks in a car with a suicide letter, and has gas fuming in the back of the car.
Jin Young is planting false seeds in her coworkers head. Making up stories about Hui Su to make it seem like Hui Su is suicidal. Thankfully he's not falling for it and doing his own little research.
Episode 8
Eun Su and Jin So Baek Save Hui Su
Eun Su and Jin So Baek were able to find where Hui Sui was, took her out the car filled of gas, and rushed her to the hospital. Jin Young finds out Hui Su's alive and she's furious. She calls Hui Su again threatening not only Eun Su's life but Jin So Baek's. LOL Jin Young thinks she can take down Jin So Baek? Girl bye.
Eun Su Plays Chess Not Checkers
Eun Su is in the interrogation room about to be interrogated by Jin Young. Jin Young is being very cocky thinking she's that girl and she's going to mess up Eun Su's life. In the middle of the conversation she gets a call from a staff member of the president's office, asking if she was apart of her brother's white collar crime. I had the biggest smile on my face. Jin Young is so furious when she realizes Eun Su's the reason for this.
off topic, but Lee Ho-Jung ate this scene up. All that heavy breathing she did. She genuinely seemed pissed off. She even scared me a bit.
wait so I just remembered the camcorder in the beginning of the scene and I thought she left it on record but I went back to see, I see that it's off. By the way that Eun Su was making statements and replying to Jin Young's questions. I feel like one of the other monitors in there will pick it up the footage and it'll be used against her. Especially since Jin Young ran out.
Jang Kang Is Dead
Jin Young never informed her mother that Jang Kang was in one of her utility closets, so when her mom goes into the closet for something, she sees Jang Kang tied up. She thinks he's Jin Pyo. Eventually Jang Kang tells her he's not Jin Pyo and how trash of a job she did raising him. Once he said Jin Pyo deserved to die, it struck a nerve in her. She starts bashing in his head. She calls Jin Young over and now they're trying to get rid of the body.
I might be a little delusional but I think Jin So Baek is in love with Eun Su. The way he was looking at her in this scene as if she were his wife and he couldn't tell her no when she does a certain look...ooooouuuu weeee
The Crash
Eun Su and another one of Jin So Baek's partners gets into a crash with Jin Young while Jang Kang is dead in the back. Bystanders see the incident and film it and post it online. It's going viral, all over the news, and social medias.
meanwhile Hui Su is at the police station confession to the murder of her husband. I wonder why didn't Jo Baek Stop her from running out.
When Hui Su said "I cried out to the heavens. But no one answered." I rolled my eyes cause her friend literally is a blessing from the heavens. Her friend wanted to get her out this mess, but she was ignoring her calls. A lot of time we miss our blessing because we try to do things our own way and sometimes oue own ways isn''t always going to be the right way. Both Hui Su and Eun Su do not like help from other people. Which is what got them into this mess. I felt like Jin So Baek could've took care of this in a clean way where none of them would be in court, if they had listen to them. but they wanted to do stuff their way.
But then again everything happens for a reason they say. Cause maybe if this didn't happen, Eun Su's mom would still be with her father. Eun Su's mother had to see her daughter in court for murder for it to click for her. For her snap out of it and realize it's time to leave that man.
When Eun Su and Hui Su are out of jail, they move to vietnam with Jin So Baek and work for him there. They seem at peace and content with life. I noticed cinematography changes towards the end. There's a lot more natural light or at least natural looking light, that gives the scene a calming, peaceful vibe. Similar to the ending of The Trunk.
Final Thoughts
I lowkey wanted to see them in a relationship. But honestly it's for the better they just left it platonic. That would've made the storyline even more chaotic. One friend is getting abused the other is hopelessly in love. I do wish some dramas made short films like giving up a short in depth glimpse of something we wanted to see the next phase of how it turned out like the next phase of Han Jeong-Won and Noh In-Ji's relationship in The Trunk. Or even a short film giving us an update of each of the sister's life from Little women, A series that did that perfectly was a jdrama titled Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon, after the series they made a movie 2 years later showing us the aftermath of the situation titled Hirugao.