A method for video coding is provided. The method includes: deriving an initial motion vector (MV) of a current block; deriving a plurality of MV candidates for decoder-side motion vector refinement (DMVR); determining cost values for the initial MV and each of the MV candidates; obtaining updated cost values of both the initial MV and the MV candidates by adjusting at least one of the cost values to favor the initial MV; and deriving a refined MV based on the updated cost values of both the initial MV and the MV candidate.