'As You Stood By' stars Lee Yoo Mi and Jeon So Nee have shared their thoughts on the upcoming thriller series.
On the morning of November 5, a production press conference was held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul, attended by director Lee Jung Rim and main cast members Jeon So Nee, Lee Yoo Mi, Jang Seung Jo, and Lee Mu Saeng, who shared insights about the project.
The series follows two women who, faced with a reality where they must kill or be killed, become entangled in unexpected events. Based on Hideo Okuda’s novel 'Naomi & Kanako,' the story adapts a globally acclaimed suspense thriller for the screen.
Director Lee Jung Rim expressed her admiration for the original work: “I’ve been a fan of the author for a long time. Watching the story, I felt anger, sadness, and drew strength from the characters moving forward.” She added, “When I first read the script, it was incredibly well-written—I felt we had to make it right.”
On the series title, Director Lee explained, “I really like the original title as well. Names can represent a person’s life, and we used the characters’ names as subtitles for each episode. The title reflects ideas of ‘you, me, us,’ which resonated with the story.”
Regarding her directorial approach, Director Lee said, “Since the choices the characters make require a lot of persuasion, I focused on presenting these decisions convincingly.”
The story of Hee Soo and Eun Soo—two women forced to make desperate choices for the sake of an ordinary life—maintains tension across all eight episodes with unexpected twists and a shocking ending.
Director Lee Jung Rim also expressed satisfaction with the casting: “It was wonderful. I was delighted and had extensive discussions with the actors before and after casting. Our understanding of the characters and story aligned perfectly, so filming went smoothly.”
Jeon So Ni, who plays Eun Soo, said, “I hoped Eun Soo and Hee Soo’s decisions would feel convincing to viewers. The Eun Soo I wanted to understand was decisive, and I explored what motivated her actions.”
Lee Yoo Mi, portraying Hee Soo, explained, “My primary goal was to make Hee Soo appear authentic in front of the camera. I focused deeply on understanding her emotions.”
Jang Seung Jo described his process: “There were many external ways to portray change—voice, laughter, and other details. I aimed to differentiate these elements.”
Lee Mu Saeng, playing a character trapped in a dark past, said, “The character experiences fear arising from the depths of his past. I thought carefully about how to portray that effectively.”
Regarding their chemistry, Jeon So Ni noted, “Lee Yoo Mi is a very positive and healthy person. Meeting her in real life had a great influence on the atmosphere, and I always felt supported.” Lee Yoo Mi added, “She felt warm, and I wanted to connect quickly and share many conversations. Working together on set was both fun and fulfilling.”
Addressing concerns about violent content, Lee Jung Rim stated, “Visual depictions are far more shocking than reading text, so we carefully considered what was truly necessary for the story.” She explained, “You’ll notice that physical contact is minimal; we focus on the surrounding circumstances to create a harrowing atmosphere while expressing the story effectively.”
On the appeal of the series, Jeon So Ni said, “The tension in our story and the genre’s characteristics are gripping. The ending leaves viewers on edge, delivering a thrilling genre experience.” Lee Yoo Mi added, “The genre allows the characters to face unusual situations and make uncommon choices, which sets the series apart.”
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