As You Stood By cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the latest psychological K-thriller

As You Stood By from Netflix is a Korean thriller that is making headlines for its unsettling take on serious issues of domestic violence, relationships and female solidarity.

The series is adapted from Hideo Okuda’s popular crime novel Naomi and Kanako. The show aired on Netflix on November 7, 2025, starring Jeon So-nee, Lee Yoo-mi, Jang Seung-jo and many others.

The show explores the suffocating patriarchy and bureaucratic indifference through the story of two women who decide to take the law into their own hands. The two women share a bond that becomes both their refuge and undoing.

Here’s a look at the main cast bringing As You Stood By’s dark, emotional world to life.

As You Stood By cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the latest psychological K-thriller

1) Jeon So-nee as Eun-soo

Jeon So-nee (popular for her electric performances in Melo Movie, Parasyte: The Grey) steps into the shoes of Eun-soo, a luxury department store clerk.

Her character carries the burden of past wounds and the childhood trauma of domestic violence. She has witnessed violence up close and is burdened by guilt for “standing by” when another woman chooses to end her life.

Jeon portrayed the psychology of her character with great restraint and despair. The anger and the eventual fierce transformation make up for a thrilling watch.

2) Lee Yoo-mi as Hee-soo

Lee Yoo-mi, known globally as Ji-yeong in Netflix's Squid Game, plays Hee-soo in As You Stood By. She is a former children’s illustrator who is trapped in a living hell due to her abusive husband. She ends up in an unhappy marriage with a wealthy financial adviser who regularly abuses her.

Lee’s portrayal boldly captures Hee-soo’s evolution from terror to defiance. Eun-Soo learns about her suffering and the two women weave a dark plan together. What follows is a spiral of guilt and desperation.

3) Jang Seung-jo as Jin-pyo / Doppelgänger

Jang Seung-jo joins the cast as one of the most complex characters of the show, Jin-pyo. He is Hee-soo’s monstrous husband and his mysterious lookalike.

The lookalike becomes a key part of the plan. As Jin-pyo, Jang unleashes control and cruelty. His second role as the doppelgänger contrasts sharply with Jin-pyo, showcasing Jang Seung-jo’s acting range.

4) Lee Moo-saeng as Chen Shaobo

Lee Moo-saeng (popular for Maestra: Strings of Truth) plays the character of Chen Shaobo, a charismatic and morally ambiguous Chinese-Korean merchant who is associated with Eun-Soo. He emerges as a noir character: charming yet dangerous.

More about As You Stood By

Netflix released As You Stood By on November 7, 2025. The 8-episode-long Netflix series is written by Kim Hyo‑jeong and directed by Lee Jeong‑rim. Studio S, Ghost Studio and MIZI Film are producing the show.