Lee You-mi Transformed for Role in Netflix Thriller As You Stood By

In her latest Netflix series, actress Lee You-mi undergoes a profound physical and emotional transformation. To play a victim of domestic abuse in the psychological thriller As You Stood By, Lee lost a significant amount of weight, shedding down to 36 kilograms to authentically portray her character’s pain and fragility.

The series, which began streaming on November 7, 2025, follows two friends, Hee-soo and Eun-soo, who become entangled in a desperate plot to kill Hee-soo’s abusive husband. Lee You-mi plays Hee-soo, a woman trapped in a violent marriage, a role she describes as one of the most challenging of her career.

Behind the Physical Transformation

Lee You-mi, who is 162 centimeters tall and normally maintains a weight of about 41 kilograms, decided that Hee-soo’s suffering needed to be visible. She explained that she wanted her character’s body to reflect the internal pain she was enduring.

“I’m already quite slim, but I lost weight to about 36kg. I wanted to physically show Hee-soo’s condition. When you watch Hee-soo eat with Jin-pyo, it’s never a comfortable meal. She eats because she has to, not because she wants to. I wanted her frail body to reflect her pain as well,” Lee shared.

The actress revealed that the physical change came naturally during filming as her lifestyle adjusted to the demanding role. “I naturally ate less and slept more during shooting, so the change came easily. Maybe I was made for this role,” she said.

Navigating Emotional Intensity

Portraying a victim of domestic violence required careful handling. Lee You-mi admitted she initially approached the role with caution, mindful of real-world survivors. Her perspective shifted after director Lee Jung-rim shared a powerful piece of writing with her.

“The director gave me the poem and handwritten letter ‘I Received Flowers Today,’ written by a scholar who suffered domestic violence. Reading the poem, I sensed emotions I couldn’t fully understand. That letter was incredibly convincing and comforting,” Lee said.

This material helped her access Hee-soo’s emotional state, which she characterized by silence and fear. “I tried to fill in the gaps in Hee-soo’s story by focusing on actions, gazes and expressions that could best convey who she is,” she explained.

To protect her own mental health, Lee developed a clear strategy to separate her own identity from her character’s trauma. “When the camera was rolling, I made sure to think and act as Hee-su. I wanted to portray her perfectly on screen,” she said. “On set, I stayed true to who I am.”

She further noted, “When I felt myself getting drained, I reminded myself to keep some distance – to let Hui-su’s pain exist only during the scenes.” This separation allowed her to film in a healthier state of mind.

On-Set Dynamics with Co-Stars

Despite the heavy subject matter, the atmosphere on set was supportive. Lee spoke highly of her co-star Jang Seung-jo, who played her abusive husband, Noh Jin-pyo. She shared that he was deeply apologetic and concerned for her during the filming of intense scenes.

“Seung-jo was always apologetic and struggled during filming. There was a psychological counselor on set, and before shooting, he would ask the counselor if it was okay to proceed. He seemed so anxious that I felt sorry for him,” Lee said.

She worked to lighten the mood between takes, joking and playing pranks on Jang Seung-jo to ease the tension. Regarding her co-star Jeon So-nee, who plays her friend Eun-soo, Lee described her as genuinely kind-hearted. “The moment I met her, I could sense her kindness. I tend to be shy, but I don’t like awkwardness, so I try to get close quickly,” she said.

A Role That Fostered Personal Growth

While the role was emotionally taxing, Lee You-mi found the experience ultimately strengthening. She described Hee-soo as a character who had a profound impact on her personally.

“It’s the first time I felt like I truly met a character who made me stronger. Hui-su’s struggles and choices helped me become more resilient and grounded as a person,” Lee reflected.

She added that through Hee-soo’s inner conflicts and choices, she believes she has become more grounded as a person. “Every character I’ve played has helped me grow, but Hee-soo helped me grow in a healthier way,” she said.

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Lee also addressed the pattern of her recent roles, which often involve troubled backgrounds. She clarified that this was not a conscious choice. “I didn’t realize it, but looking back, that’s true. It wasn’t a conscious choice. I just went with the flow of those who chose me,” she explained. Now in her 17th year as an actress, she expressed a desire to show more diverse sides of herself while still pursuing characters she feels connected to.

As You Stood By is now streaming in its entirety on Netflix.

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