Director Lee Jeong-rim emphasized that creating a believable narrative that completely captivates viewers was the central focus when directing Netflix's upcoming thriller series "As You Stood By." The director made these remarks during a press conference held in the South Korean capital on Wednesday.
"The two main characters make a series of decisions that require significant audience understanding, so I've focused intensely on presenting a convincing story," Lee explained to gathered media. She acknowledged that the show's subject matter presents challenges for viewers, noting that "the subject matter itself can be uncomfortable to watch, as the plot revolves around domestic violence. But once audiences immerse themselves in the characters' circumstances, they will be able to engage with the show with genuine curiosity about how events unfold."
The eight-episode series centers on the friendship between two women, Eun-su, portrayed by Jeon So-nee, and Hui-su, played by Lee You-mi, as they make a life-changing decision while desperately trying to escape their difficult situations. Eun-su works at a luxury department store and discovers that her close friend Hui-su, who was once a promising children's book author, has become trapped in an abusive marriage.
The discovery of Hui-su's nightmarish domestic situation brings back painful memories for Eun-su of her own childhood trauma - a situation that young Eun-su had neither the resources nor the courage to escape from at the time. This time, however, Eun-su is determined to take action against the abuse. Her resolve leads her to suggest that she and Hui-su work together to kill Jin-pyo, Hui-su's threatening and abusive husband.
Jeon So-nee discussed her character's motivations during the press conference, explaining that "upon discovering the depths of Hui-su's suffering, Eun-su resolves to save her and suggest they kill Jin-pyo. She is not afraid to make tough decisions." The actress emphasized her commitment to making the character's choices believable to audiences, stating "I wanted their choices to be convincing."
Lee You-mi provided insight into her portrayal of Hui-su, describing her character as someone who was "rescued by her friend as she was about to give up on life." She explained that her primary goal in the role was authenticity, saying "my main focus was making Hui-su feel like a real person."
The supporting cast includes Lee Mu-saeng as So-baek, the mysterious owner of Jinkang Store who discovers the two women's deadly plot and quietly becomes their protector. Jang Seung-jo takes on the challenging dual roles of Jin-pyo, the abusive husband, and Jang-kang, a mysterious figure who becomes entangled in the women's circumstances.
The series is based on Japanese author Hideo Okuda's 2014 novel "Naomi and Kanako," which was previously adapted as a Japanese drama series. Director Lee revealed that she has been a longtime admirer of the original work and had long dreamed of bringing it to life as a Korean drama adaptation.
The show made its debut at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, where the first two episodes were screened in the On Screen section on September 18. Director Lee noted that each episode is designed to end with a cliffhanger that keeps viewers engaged and wanting more. "I didn't want to lose the fun factor, but I also worked to include a message. I hope viewers appreciate our intentions," she explained.
"As You Stood By" is scheduled for release on Netflix this Friday, promising viewers an intense thriller that explores themes of friendship, trauma, and the lengths people will go to protect those they care about.
