Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Lee Jeong-rim, Netflix’s ‘As You Stood By,’ or “Dangsini Jugyeotda,’ tells the story of Eun-su, a luxury fashion retailer whose life turns upside down when she reconnects with her childhood friend, Hui-su. Although Hui-su puts on a brave face for the outside world, in reality, she is subjected to relentless domestic abuse by her husband, Noh Jin-Pyo. Driven to the brink, Hui-su and Eun-su realize that the only way out of this tragedy is by uprooting it from its source, and a plan for the perfect murder begins to take shape. In the final moments of the show, both Eun-su and Hui-su confess to murdering Noh Jin-pyo, while his sister, Jin-young, is charged with the murder of Jang Kang. Given that this Korean psychological thriller series is a complete adaptation of Hideo Okuda’s novel, ‘Naomi and Kanako,’ a second season is unlikely. In the best-case scenario, however, fans can expect a sequel to hit the screens sometime around 2027.
As You Stood By Season 2 Will Likely Follow Eun-su and Hui-su’s Adventures in Vietnam
While ‘As You Stood By’ wraps up its primary conflict by the end of the inaugural season, the final sequence opens a new chapter in the lives of Eun-su and Hui-su. Following their prison sentence, they leave Korea and settle in Vietnam, each finding a new passion to pour their heart into. Thus, a possible continuation of the story might develop their friendship further, as well as explore their lifestyle in a new setting. The change in the show’s visual identity by the time it reaches the season finale also points to that, as the brighter color palette and lighter tone may be indicative of a change in genre. However, while Eun-su and Hui-su enjoy their newfound freedom, Jin-young and her mother are likely still in jail for the murder of Jang Kang. Upon their release, the tides can very easily turn against the protagonist duo, with Jin-young eyeing revenge. As such, Noh Jin-pyo’s presence in the narrative is likely far from over.
Throughout the course of the first season, Chen Shaobo always manages to steal the spotlight every time he is on screen. However, behind that charisma and gravitas lies a deep-seated trauma of his own, and we merely get a glimpse into that here. As such, a potential sequel might dial back in time to show Chen’s rise from a seemingly ordinary mobster to a titan in the Korean gambling world. Conversely, the show might also expand on his emotional side, and particularly his dynamic with Eun-su and Hui-su. While he is present in the Vietnam sequences along with the two of them, it is never specified whether he is merely visiting or has settled with them. Given his role in the narrative as a compassionate listener and a mentor figure, it is likely that the next step in his arc will be to further develop his character and thought processes.
As You Stood By Season 2 Might See a Major Departure in the Cast
Given that ‘As You Stood By’ is a gritty narrative with many twists and turns, a potential season 2 is bound to have a major shakeup in the cast. However, the two protagonists, Eun-su and Hui-su, are most likely to return to the screen in such a case, with actors Jeon So-nee and Lee Yoo-mi reprising their roles. Another strong likelihood is that of Chen Shaobo becoming a main character in the sequel, with a possible look into his past, allowing actor Lee Moo-saeng to further showcase his acting prowess. As Jin-young and her mother are still in prison, their stories are far from over, and one can expect actors Lee Ho-jung and Kim Mi-kyung stepping into their respective roles once again.
The biggest departure in the potential second season is likely to be that of actor Jang Seung-jo, who plays the dual roles of Noh Jin-pyo and Jang Kang. Given the extreme difference between the two characters, doing justice to them both is a monumental task, and Seung-jo’s talents are a large part of why the show works. However, with both Jin-pyo and Jang Kang dead by the final episode, the chances of Seung-jo returning in a proactive role are slim. Nonetheless, one can always expect the actor to return in the form of a dream sequence or a flashback, should a season 2 be greenlit, as he remains an integral part of the larger puzzle. Additionally, the show might also introduce some fresh faces to the mix, given the change in setting and tone.
As You Stood By Season 2 Could Expand on Eun-su and Hui-so’s Healing Processes
Eun-su and Hui-su collectively undergo the most drastic transformation over the course of the premiere season, and their trajectory isn’t necessarily linear. While both nearly descend into the depths of darkness, Hui-su’s decision to confess in the end is what gives her and her friend a chance to grow past their traumas. If season 2 is greenlit, the show might expand its thematic identity further by consciously exploring post-traumatic psychology through the two protagonists. While they are leading a dreamy life in Vietnam, things might not stay that way for long. We have seen signs of both Eun-su and Hui-su hallucinating elements from the fateful day they killed Jin-pyo, and that aspect might continue in a potential sequel to the story. Through their individual character arcs, the show might explore the fine line between moving on from a traumatic event and merely coping with it.
Unlike Eun-su and Hui-su, Chen is largely a static character, whose presence alone is capable of turning the tide around at any point. However, given the cracks in his psyche, a possible continuation of the story might delve deeper and allow him to transform in accordance with the various narrative elements. There is also the possibility of him finding some new goal in life to chase after, as so far he has consciously stunted his social life as a way of mourning his son’s tragic death. To that end, Season 2 might involve a romantic element in the dynamic between Chen and Eun-su. While Jin-young is unlikely to move on from her career nosediving, it is possible that incarceration might lead her to become a more empathetic person, which can easily change the future trajectory of the narrative. However, beneath all of this, the show is unlikely to let go of its social commentary. It might explore how domestic abuse affects aspects of one’s life that aren’t readily noticeable.
Read More: As You Stood By Ending Explained: Do Eun-su and Hui-su Go to Prison?
