My Stand-In (2024)

need a good screenwrite

Looking forward to poom“s next BL work， next project, but I hope there will be more emphasis on the quality of the script when adapting the original work for the screen.A good woman screenwriter to adapt the original work next time Please，this is a BL drama！




I really feel that Poom's performance is both detailed and genuine, and his action scenes are also very impressive. His muscles look great too. I'm really looking forward to Poom's next BL drama. As for Up, I don't know if the rumors online about him having a secret long-term girlfriend are true or not. If is ture and he's still promoting the UpPoom pairing, I find that quite ridiculous. I've heard that Poom's former company has many talented actors who would match well with him. I'm excited for Poom's next Boys' Love series.

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Watch it, don't believe the comments!!!

I binged watch this 12 episode series of My Stand-in today. Seriously speaking, why did I just watched it today? It's frustrating me so much, because of how good it is!

The plot revolves around Joe, a stuntman for a famous actor named Tong. In the set, Joe met Ming, brother in law of Tong who is secretly in love with him. Joe got interested on him and Ming found resemblance of Tong in Joe so he got attached to him. They got into a situationship. When Joe became promoted to a main lead of a movie with his friend Sol (Kpop Idol), Ming got jelous, and locked up Joe. Since Joe cannot attend the press conference of the movie, he was removed from it and got banned from any companies. In need of job, he got the job of being a stuntman in an infamous company who is famous for using cheap materials and not caring and compensating the talents who are undergoing accidents. During the shoot, he needs to do stunts while riding a motorcycle in a mountain. Since the harness is cheap, it broke easily, causing Joe to fall the mountain.

When he woke up, he is already in a body of another person, also named Joe. There he met again Ming and the other colleagues from his old body, which basically where the plot revolved around.

The plot is so good and unique! I love it so much because of the fact that it raises awareness towards the reality of behind the scenes of the films we are watching. Towards those extras and stuntmans who are doing most of the work instead of those actors and actresses who are getting the limelight.

This made me crazy, stressed, and obsessed just like Ming, lmao. If you don't like red flag main characters, then this is definitely not for you, because Ming's character is really hateful. There are so many things happening, most especially towards the ending. I'm like "Joe literally just went out of the hospital! Why are you kidnapping him again?"

This series made me anticipate each and every scenes of it. The way I cannot pursue myself to stop watching, that is why I literally binged watch it for a day.

The casts are all so good! The main characters delivered and served the best out of all casts, which made them deserving of being the main roles of this series. This series is just so good because of the chemistry of them both. The way they let out those emotions and script, it was truly satisfying. Addition to that, those NC scenes are to die for.

I'm so frustrated for watching it just now because I am literally satisfied on everything in this series. I love it so much and I would recommend this to other watchers. Hands down to everyone behind The Stand-in!

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Toxic Story and Flawed character but must watch

Initially, I wasn't sure what to make of it and almost stopped watching after the first episode because I thought it would be confusing. However, I'm glad I persevered, as the story eventually clicked into place. If you're tempted to drop it early, I encourage you to keep going.

One aspect I appreciate about this series is its portrayal of flawed characters, particularly Ming. While some viewers might find his actions hard to accept, I think it's refreshing to see realistic, complex characters. Ming's journey from a place of hurt and possessiveness to one of growth and self-awareness is compelling. Yes, he crossed a line by hurting and locking up Joe, and being a bad and insulting boyfriend at first. This made some of the viewers tough to watch. But what's admirable is how he acknowledges his mistakes, apologizes, and works towards change.

It's also heartwarming to see Ming realize his true feelings for Joe, distinct from his earlier infatuation with Tong. The character development and emotional depth make My Stand-in a worthwhile watch. If you are not into toxic story then don't watch this. Surely you can't handle this. It's a heavy series and not light.

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The Novel and the Series

My thoughts bout the early part of the series and the differences that I saw between the light novel and the series.

LA Joe is different from the novel Ah Xiang. Zhou Xiang is already kind and soft hearted but Joe really took it to another level. (The ending really annoyed me). He still cooked breakfast for Ming🥲. "In the novel, Ah Xiang shoved MingXiu away harshly and fled frantically from his own home. Then he drove aimlessly as he didn't know where he should go. He can't go to Wei Ge's (P'Wut) house because his sister-in-law is pregnant and he doesn't want to disturb them. And so after driving aimlessly in that winter night, he decided to go to the company and stayed in Wei Ge's office."

Joe again is used as a scape goat between Director Pao and that snake. P'Wut also is kinda different from Wei Ge in the novel. I know and I can see the brotherhood between P'Wut and Joe but dyk that in the novel it was Wei Ge who convinced Ah Xiang to accept that lead role offered by Director Pao? Because since Ah Xiang already offended that snake (yes, I'm not gonna say his name even the og from the novel) and he will surely receive some backlash from that snake's fans as it was already rumored (everyone already knows) that the lead role of Director Pao's next project is that snake. Then his reputation will surely hit rock bottom and it'll be difficult for him to get any stunt jobs or any job in that industry. It's a lose-lose situation and so him accepting it won't really change anything. But rather it could give him a slight chance of finally making a break through. That snake and Ming didn't directly kill Joe but they pushed him in that direction. So Ming... grovel hard.

This will probably piss off all of you more. In the novel, after that snake attended the conference as the lead role he eventually dropped the project. He actually didn't want it. He just hated Director Pao and more importantly, he didn't want a mere stuntman to take his "place". So the project was eventually scrapped.

I wish they stuck to the monk rather than a fortune teller. And they changed that connection to his father?? Wth? It was supposed to be MingSu's master. Yan MingSu is Ming's older brother. P'Mike (MingSu) is the older brother of Ming. They're taking the character set-up of P'Mike and distributed it to other characters.

1st, they changed May into a supportive and loving sister (which takes away the character set-up of MingSu in which he's the only one who cared to support Ming after Joe's accident when everyone in the family are turning a blind eye that Ming is suffering due to a death of a male "lover" and he's the only one who accepted Ming for being gay). Which is why he was the only one who knew how much Ming loved Joe. I can accept this because May was such a b*tch in the novel that made me think that she and that snake deserves each other. Plus, more people to love and stand by Ming's side so I'm fine with it.

2nd, as I've mentioned, the monk (in the LA is a fortune teller). The monk would show the supernatural events that Joe went through and the connection between Joe and Ming which involves fate and karma. Changing it into a fortune teller kinda makes it shallow. Moreover, it is an opportunity for them to show their culture. Hence, I really don't get why they had to change that.

3rd, P'Mike having a monk as a master would show that he is not the type of wealthy person whose life only revolves around money and that he is someone who values the teachings of a monk. So when he saw that his beloved brother is almost at the death's doorstep, he sought the guidance of his master.

I am utterly disappointed of how much they downgraded Yan MingSu (P'Mike). He's probably the 2nd if not the top favorite character of everyone who've read the novel. He's the BEST BROTHER anyone could ask for. Someone who'll always make sure Ming is still breathing no matter how far and tired he is. He would fly in and out of the country just to take care of his younger brother. All those sleepless months just to take care of Ming because no one in their family wanted to accept that Ming is gay. He took care of Ming himself all while managing their business. And he doesn't look down on Joe unlike the typical attitude of those wealthy people. I really loved MingSu's character so I'm really emotional with these changes. His role is actually more significant.

I liked how Poom showed Joe's feelings, you can really see it his eyes softening while watching Ming but then the moment he heard how Ming would only smile when he's acting in that snake's movies, you can see how it made his walls higher and stronger.

I don't get why Joe was looking aimlessly around his house. Ming left it EXACTLY how it was 2 years ago as it is in the novel.

I needed THE mental breakdown that MingXiu showed in the novel.. My heart is sad for Ming but I hope they wrote it with something like hyperventilation. I needed the scene where Ming is having a hard time breathing. I just needed more anguish? Because seeing him crying is making me heart ache a bit but I hoped what I felt was heartbreaking instead. I really shouldn't have read the novel first. Up, my baby you did well.

BUT the scene where Ming and that snake are talking in Ming's room is a hella lot MORE satisfying than in the novel for me. In the novel, it was Ming who went to that snake's room. Ming did slam the door after their conversation but this in LA is much much more satisfying. I laughed so hard as it was so satisfying when he casually just pointed the door and did the hand thingy like he's shooing him away and kicked that snake out. He didn't even bother to look at him nor walked him to the door 🤣. And the way he reminded that snake of the fact the of all people, he has the least right to talk about Joe in front of Ming because they were the reason why Joe was pushed into making that decision.

I like the added detail where this is a sequel of that snake's first movie with the same director. I also loved how the director regret his decision of encouraging Joe to sign a contract where he won't be credited.

I've read comments saying it was Joe's fault why his second life is becoming like his 1st one. Like why did he accept Ming's but rejected P'Wut and Sol's help. He and Ing (I finally know her name, I've been calling her Chen Ying) have a 3million thb loan from a loan shark which is really dangerous. And his mother is sick and is in need to receive dialysis every week which cost a LOT of money, they needed a better place to live for Ing's condition. He needed to pay that loan ASAP, have a good place to live, money for dialysis, other medicines, hire a caretaker for Ing and money for other expenses. So, why did he reject P'Wut and Sol's help? Because he felt guilty to receive that AMOUNT of financial help from them. He knew P'Wut somehow still blames himself why Joe died and so P'Wut has been very active in giving him support as a way to release his guilt for Joe's death and Sol practically told him that he's only receiving this much support (the jobs that P'Wut got for Joe2) was because he reminded them of Joe1. He felt guilty of using that to get their help. Jobs are one thing but financial matters are a different thing. So why did he accept to be a "stand-in" AGAIN for Ming? Because with Ming, it is a transaction. He doesn't have to feel ashamed nor guilty (but it must have been painfully heartbreaking for him to practically sell 1 year of his life to ming of all people) because Ming was still gonna screw him over so why not benefit from it? Joe's decision is actually the most practical choice. He wasn't being dumb.

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I LOVE IT SO MUCH

When i read the review, I almost dropped the series... but I decided to watch it, and it was good, i have to say. Please give it a try...

The plot is very interesting although I am not into soul-switching characters. I just accept that this is drama.
Many people say Ming is red flag, but to me , he wasn't really a red flag though. When Ming's dad told Joe about his suffering when Joe died, i can sense that Ming really loved Joe, may be he was not very sure of his feelings at the start.

The actings are on point. I love all the outfit Ming wore in the show.
This rich guy character really suits Ming.

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TONG IS NOT GET WHAT HE DESERVES IS GETTING ON MY NERRRRRRRRVES!!!!

I finally finish watching this series, i only watched the first episode on the first day of airing, then somethings happened in my life that makes me not to watch the three following episodes, and when i checked the comments here, i get really scared cuz all of ppl in mdl here back then said it's really emotionally disturbing, so i decided to drop it until i was emotionally ready (although i checked the next ep's promo each week back then + reading the comments and laugh at it 😂)

Then yesterday, i just decided "enough is enough" and watched from the episode two to six through wuuuu reaction channel -i guess i wanted to watch it with somebody- and the rest i watch it all.

And fxck you ming, you are really a bad person. You are like two-year old baby when his toy is taken away from him he will throw a tantrum. Even if you cry for 100 years, even if you swallow 100 needles, even if you slap yourself 10000 times; joe must not have take back.

And for joe, okay let's be honest, when i read the comments back when it's airing that joe signed a contract with ming for money, i was like "ARE YOU IDIOT JOE?!! There is no other jobs in the world to take it? And from all people... Ming? Seriously?", but after i watched the episodes and watched how he struggled after he woke up and how it seems that all the problems in world suffocate him. He even didn't the privilege of time to do other jobs to collect money to pay for his debt. And he wouldn't ask his friends for that amount of money cuz he's one with prejudice -and they didn't know who he was- so when he accepted ming's offer, he was thinking this is business and win-win deal. I can understand him in that.

But what i can't understand that why he take him back? And so easily?!!! Like ming said there is half of year left in contract and i will use all this time to make you fall in love with me again, and that's understandable. But it only take him two days to make you say yes!!!!! WHAT'S THE WRONG WITH YOU JOE?

And tong, that **********. NO ONE HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE IN THE ENTIRE SERIES!!! and what's happened in last episode? "I paid all the debt but considered it baby showering gift"??? Like, YOU PAID 500 MILLION BAHT AND YOU CALL IT A GIFT. And what did you say next sir? "but from now on, you are on you own". Wow, as a viewer, you wanted me to feel 'yeahhh, that's his deserved punishment'.

And i want mick × jim story😭

So yeah. This show made me feel so mad but it's so good.

Wut character's actor, pls never act again unless you go to acting course. I kept getting off the mood bcz of your bad reactions.
The new joe's actor, pls do more effort in the future.
Sol character's actor, pls go to singing course.
And shout out to poom for his splendid performance. Up did a good job.
The CGI was meh... not bad but could be better. The direction was okay. The action scenes was good actually.

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Repetitive but not bad

Here we come to the oldest story known to women that keep coming back in almost everything: manga, anime , Manhwa and now Drama.
it's like chewing the same gum for the hundredth time. It becomes boring and tasteless, but we keep chewing it.

this series is not bad, the actors were good for what they are. But very predictable and boring in everything they did, and all the usual toxic cliché we all "love" to see. and it's not even that deep or complex like people want to think.

Ming the toxic, obsessive, control freak, and crazy jealous boyfriend to ex to boyfriend again cause Joe "change" him.
oh great that something that never happen before, cause it did too many times. why does he need to be toxic from the first place? oh right because he falls in love with someone else "back" ok that makes sense, no it's really not but we have to accept this bs logic.

Joe - the submissive MC that will let anyone treat him like shit and will not fight too much. he is too kind to everyone and sometimes too naive. he can't lie to save his life and I found it funny sometimes how much bad he is at lying.

Here how it always goes: MC in love with toxic boyfriend, toxic boyfriend humiliating them to no end and make them feel horrible, MC end up dead somehow, coming back to life and think it's different and they never fall in love again only to end up with the same toxic boyfriend after a big redemption arc. and everyone happy now.

Not anything original here, just the same old toxic bf coming back to his MC after he learns to love them after they died. too bad they could not do it when MC was alive the first time, but then we won't have this great redemption arc we don't care about, I guess.

I'm not against redemption arcs, there are stories with amazing redemption arcs out there. but this is not it. The moment Ming tied Joe up in handcuffs, he finished with me even if he was jealous.

But let me add something more. Despite the boring romance in here, you can still find great things in this story that the series did great and enjoy it as much you can.
those elements are done very good so I thought I will mention them:
Joe and new mom create a strong bond - Joe finally receiving unconditional love and support that he needed in his first life. and that's amazing to watch every time when they are together. he said he would take care of her, and he did take care of her, despite everything.
Joe and other friend - finding out about his real identity first way before toxic boyfriend which I found the best outcome. it show how much they know and love him in his life. Wut and Sol have the best friendship and I love how both of them offer him help almost the same way, despite him refusing them, I think they are a very important part in his life.
A supportive big Sister - cause we need more of those in BL! she was awesome, honestly too bad she choose to marry a horrible man.
I can say more but I think it's clear why this series has value even if you didn't like the main couple romance. Sometimes the little things do a lot, and I did enjoy those elements despite everything.
Another thing I like is how much self-aware Joe is of how much his toxic boyfriend is toxic and still choose to go back to him and take his help despite having other choices. still I wish he would move on from him and find someone better but we can't win against cliché I guess.

My biggest complaint I have for the writers of this series is why Tong didn't die for Joe?! it would have being so much better to his character redemption arc! what a waste of time.

I conclude of this review - I don't think this series is bad, there are parts that are good and very fun to watch. but it still stuck on old clichés and cringe stereotypes that need to go away already. I have seen them enough.

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UpPoom ate, devoured and left no crumbs.

Posting this review now after letting it sit in my drafts for so long, but... this series... was something. I told myself that I would binge it once it all came out, and yet, here I was, 5 weeks in and starting it. It's been so long that I don't even remember when the last time was that I watched a show that left me feeling either anxious, frustrated or angry at the end of every episode. I was genuinely holding my breath sometimes and biting my nails when some eps ended, and I realised that I had to wait a week. I'm giving it 9 stars for now, but maybe it will change later on to 8.5 when I dwell on this a bit more.

The premise of this show was so interesting and unique. It might have been confusing to some, but once you understand its smooth (or lack thereof) from there.

From the get go I knew Joe was going to be my cinnamon roll and the love of my life. Anyone who even remotely hurt him was in my blacklist, and they still haven't made it out. (Looking at you, Ming. *glares.*) This boy is the epitome of optimism, he's just trying to get through life and make a living. He sees the good in people, believes everyone at their core is to sweet. He deserves the world, but the world don't deserve him. And watching the universe constantly fuck with him (sometimes because of his own stupid decisions, cuz boy, wtf, sit down and think for a hot sec) was truly devastating.

"I started to realize, what love really was. It's like someone makes you feel like you're home." Him saying that was so sweet, yet heart-breaking cuz you know what's about to happen. And when it did... it still leaves me aghast.

Cuz boy, oh boy, Ming, the man that you are. The amount of anger I felt every time this man was on my screen was almost visceral. I wanted to punch the living day lights out of this motherfucker and then some. The arrogance, the narcissism, the gaslighting and manipulation... and on top of that, the fucking audacity of this bitch to come and still say Joe belongs to him! "Don't be too full of yourself, you're just a stand-in." When I tell you I wanted to reach over the screen and kill him myself. If I see him on the streets, its on sight.

Just watching this man constantly ruining Joe's life, and then other motherfuckers joining in and giving him hell frustrated and broke my heart at the same time. My baby did not deserve any of the shit he was going through, he just wanted to support his mum and life the new life he was given. And I'm not even going to start with how icky Sol made me feel. Like Ming is a blinking red flag, but he didn't make me feel icky, just made me want to murder him. Sol on the other hand... buddy ol' pal, pack it up. Your train let the station long time ago. Move. On.

But ep 9 was when my heart truly shattered. "Why are you crying now?! Why?! Why are you crying now?!" Up and Poom did so well in this scene I was entranced. I replayed it so many times just so it can break me again. The pain, resentment and tiredness all piled up and eventually exploded for poor Joe, and it was honestly so well delivered.

However, despite all the good things and the emotions this series made me feel, there were still some things that were meh about it. Hence why I didn't rate it higher, and don't know if it needs to bumped down to a 8.5 instead.

Firstly, what was Tong doing? I thought we set him up to be the big bad of the series, and yet he wasn't even present for most of it??? I was so fucking confused, and even forgot he exists for a bit. Every time this man came on screen I couldn't even look, it was that type of anger. They made him to be so hateful, but it went no where??? And May forgiving him so quickly?! Girlie that's not how you stand on business. Kick him to the curb, feed him to the dogs!!

Secondly, Ming's redemption arc was so lacklustre. There was practically nothing there for us to hold onto to make us feel like he truly deserved Joe. Everything was just shifted into his family or Tong. I can understand why Ming is the way he is, but I still don't like him. He had no love growing up, everything was handed to him but never his, and when he finally found someone who loved him, he turned into a possessive mofo with no regards to anyone's, including Joe's feelings. Even still, I will never forgive him. I just can't. He's fallen madly in love with Joe, but that doesn't change how he treated him or spoke to him. And until the very end of the series he has not changed. Which, surprisingly, I liked because it made a lot of sense to his character. He loves Joe, and only Joe. Everyone else are just pests to him apart from his family.

But that being said, the little moments they had as a couple were cute as much I hate to admit it. "I didn't know where you were, so I wanted to be seen in the public eye as much as possible. In case, one day you'd see me, you'd feel something and come back to me," I smiled and giggled on this part, okay? Sue me. I hate him, but the toxic part of me wanted him to be end game as well. Like damn, the forehead kisses in ep 10 were so intimate it felt like I was intruding.

Then again, our boy Joe here was gone from ep one. "No matter how many times I gotta choose, I still choose the same thing. Because someone is waiting for me." We lost this brother a long time ago, it was so obvious that he was going to pick Ming despite everything. Boy is as colourblind as bats are normal blind, there was no saving him.

But we finally did get the apology we were waiting for. It was long overdue, but we finally got it. "Since you'd disappeared, I prayed everyday... that I would see you again. I didn't want you to come back. But I wanted a chance to apologise to you. For everything that I'd done. P' Joe. I'm really sorry. I'm sorry about everything. I'm sorry." Mayhaps I teared up, mayhaps I awed. We'll never know.

Overall this series was fantastic, but it did lose itself a bit near the end. Tong, the redemption arc, the entire 180 Ming's mother had in her character arc. Nothing can make me like this bitch. NOTHING.

But the actors were amazing, they carried this show like no other. The chemistry was overflowing, and the cinematography and visuals were out of this world. The emotions were raw, they felt real, and I felt my hear break and enrage with these characters.

I hate Ming, but is he going into my fav bl red flags list? 100%

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What a great couple, they make the plot better

Some toxic couple leads the protagonist to his own tragic death, but the destiny decides to give him another life chance at a reincarnation. Could be to deliver revenge? to fix the toxic relationship? or to find the full truth about his own death?

Besides the toxicity relationship along the series, the actors worked with such great chemistry and the plot even when some details are missing, we can really enjoy a fantasy plot with such deep emotions about death, second chances, mother's love, and more.

Prepare yourself for a lot of angry moments, a real sadly touching moments but also great mystery during the series as the reincarnated one wants to recover his older life that is not longer for himself in that new body.

One of the top most-watched series of 2024, I cannot say this is a must-watch because I miss so many holes in the plot about reincarnation, but the production, acting and the development of the story does compensate a lot about the plot issues.

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