Title: As You Stood By

Language: Korean

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological, Crime

Objectional Content: Domestic Violence, Violence against women

Synopsis: (from MyDramaList) Eun Su works in sales at a luxury goods retailer in a high-end department store. She has carried the weight of a deep-seated trauma since childhood. Her friend, Hui Su, shares a similar burden; both women are haunted by the scars of their pasts. Hui Su was once a promising children’s book writer, but her career has long since stalled. Now, she is trapped in a nightmarish existence due to the violent abuse of her husband, Jin Pyo. Desperate to escape his cruelty, Hui Su lives in constant fear, unable to break free from his grasp. One day, Eun Su reaches a breaking point and decides to take matters into her own hands. She makes the life-altering decision to save her friend by ending Jin Pyo’s life. Together, the two women devise a plan to kill him. As their plan unfolds, Jin So Baek, the powerful CEO of Jingang Firm, becomes aware of their intentions. Sensing an opportunity, he offers his support, becoming a strong ally in their dangerous mission. With his backing, the women feel emboldened, but their journey is fraught with peril as they navigate the dangerous path ahead.

My Review

This drama was very hard to watch at times. It highlights the nightmare of being in an abusive relationship, and how difficult it is to leave one. Hui Su tried to leave. Her husband threatened her mother and killed her cat. Hui Su’s sister in law, a police officer, told her to her face not to bother filing a report, as the majority of domestic violence cases never receive justice. The sister in law framed it as if Hui Su were filing a report for a friend, but it was obvious she knew what her own brother was doing to his wife. Her mother in law was even an advocate for abused women, who did nothing to help.

When Hui Su’s best friend, Eun Su finds out about what’s happening to her friend, she also goes to the police. However, their nonchalant attitude about the report disgusts her and makes her leave. She knew that even if she filed the report nothing would be done. After Hui Su attempts to take her own life, the two come up with a plan to kill the abusive husband.

With no one willing to help, especially the authorities, and those closest to her, is it any wonder these two women decided the only way for Hui Su to be safe was to kill the man keeping her trapped by his abuse?

There is no such thing as the perfect crime, however, and soon their criminal deeds threaten to come to light. Even with outside help, there’s only so much they can do to keep their secret.

This drama kept me engaged the whole time. I had to keep watching to know how it was all going to end, even when I found the violence difficult to stomach. I think dramas like this are important. They remind people how prevalent domestic violence is and what the consequences for turning a blind eye can be.

My rating for As You Stood By is 4 out of 5 stars. There was a thing or two that didn’t quite add up in the grand scheme of things. I highly recommend watching this drama to everyone.

Have you seen As You Stood By? What are you thoughts?