Kdrama_viewer25

I think the AJ/Ploy car scene in episode 8 was one of the few genuine twists I did not see in BLs. Usually I can guess what's going to happen, but that 1 took me by surprise. I guess I thought they would make AJ x Ploy's characters become lovey dovey since the actors themselves are (allegedly/confirmed) together irl.

I swear some of y'all act like you've never watched a BL in your life before.
The BL focuses on the mail couple and how their relationship progresses. This is not a medical drama with a touch of BL, this is a BL who happens to be (partially) set in a hospital..
And the human experiment? That was a lie concocted by Wandee to get Yak out of the awkward situation with Taemrak.

This is the perfect show to watch as a combo-pallet cleanser after My Stand-In Fridays.
In a way, it feels like a serie that could only be made in 2024. A character like Wandee would not be able to exist in a 2020 BL without being demeaned in some way or another. The lack of artificially induced toxicity is refreshing, and it pairs well with the miscommunication as well as with the theme of having to sort out ones feelings.
The "bickering" between our MLs feels organic and that is due to the impressive comedic skills from our main actors. Not gonna lie, it is rare to see 2 actors who are both stunning hot and nail their roles at the same time.
I do enjoy and agree with the creative choice to make the steamy scenes play more of a comedic role. We get plenty of eye-candy just from the actor's faces and seeing them shirtless, in their boxers, or in a tank top. It is not always needed to have as realistic sex scenes as possible and make it seem that the actors are almost fking for real.
While I am starving for their first kiss, the no kiss on the lips rule makes me find Wandee even more endearing. He is a hot mess in the best way possible. Both his and YorYak's relationship's inexperience with them not realizing the steps they are crossing makes me view the show in a sort of romantic coming of age angle.

Is this worth it?
Also, based on the trailer, I wanna ask for how much does the bullying go on and how harsh is it? Is it one of those miserable shows where it goes on up until the last episode?
Is the acting good/memorable enough? For example I really forced myself through Tempted because I did not like the plot but there I thought the acting of the 3 friends was really good.

As of episode 6:
Well... Ming loves Joe (in his own complicated and twisted way)
And Joe has unresolved feelings for Ming
But due to where the story is right now, things are complicated...

So I rewatched episode 6 again because I had nothing better to do..
[BEWARE SPOILERS IT'S BEEN MORE than 24h I'm not putting spoiler tags read at your own discretion etc etc]

That last scene where Joe accepts Ming's deal is so well executed:
1) in so many other shows it would've been cut and the full extent of the kiss would not have been shown + Joe's pained face afterwards.
2) Ming pulling out of the kiss swiftly after Joe reciprocates to assert who's in control + his hand's placement on Joe's neck
3) The negging "Do you think you're that worthy?" and the slowly increasing glee and satisfaction on Ming's face as he realizes he has new Joe right where he wants him compared to Joe's uncertainty to what he's actually agreeing to.

And when you think about it - a boytoy/sex contract is not exactly a new concept to BL media - but here it lands so powerfully because of how well the foundation has been set during this episode and in previous ones, and what implication it creates for both our main characters.

Also, while I don't know the house prices in Thailand, that new house looks expensive af

I think the rating is high for the high quality acting.
Keep in mind that Joe is an orphan, that is one of the reasons he is so ready to open himself up for love when it presents to himself.
Yes it is toxic, but not all shows are supposed to present a green-flag story. I love the dramatic tension that is present in almost every MingJoe interraction.

Ming is def. richer than both Sol and Wut. and can provide these funds immediately.
Taking money from either of them creates a debt, which he will have to pay eventually.
Making a deal with Ming might seem a more direct and clear way to clear his and his mother's family problem. Also, lets be honest - Ming is the indirect reason Joe #1 died. - Joe has unresolved feelings and this also provides an opportunity to explore those feelings without having to reveal who he is.
Another thing, regarding Sol, Joe does not see him more than a friend. Imagine being indebted to a friend that has had a crush on him and might very well develop one again, and how the power balance of that might play out (or how Joe might think it could play out).

I think Joe #1 considers her his mom even though his soul is not related to her. Remember he was an orphan which made him become extremely clingy to people, and always positive to receiving love without questioning it in detail (since h ow he was so blindly trusting with Ming)

Episode 6 really sealed the deal for me as to why the main actors are perfectly cast.
Even with little screentime Ming(Up) has SUCH a presence. And the contrast with Joe creates such incredible sparks of tension and dramatic chemistry.
Also that last scene. Joe resisting the kiss from Ming and then giving in... Was he really forcing himself to 'perform' the kiss, or did he try to appear at first apprehensive so that he doesn't give away the fact that he was looking forward to kiss Ming again.. or maybe a mixture of both.

Exactly my thoughts - now he is his own stand-in, hence the title "My Stand-In" is about himself.

I caught up yesterday with the first two episodes. I just wanna say that all I could do was staring at the second male lead's big broad shoulders and muscular back. Like he's giving MAN!
Whoever styled those cardigans on him knew what they were doing :))

Then did he photoshop his lockscreen photo where there's 2 of them?

I meant to write HOMAGE lol I'm so bad at typing

6. The sexual price menu and the 'tongue battle' between Nont and Teena in one of their make-out scenes is a home (EDIT: HOMAGE) to gay japanese adult videos.

I kinda want a corny moment reveal of Nant being actually an evil twin and orchestrating everything.

My theory is that Nant (missing twin) has probably had intercourse with all of the Playboyy employees at some point... What are the specifics of it, who hurt him / and what not, I guess we're about to see in the next episodes (hopefully)

Teena & Zouey are complicated for me as well. I kinda get where Zoeuy is coming from, with his insecurities and all that.

It's pretty obvious yes to us watchers that Soong has to sleep with customers for money. He probably needed to continue with that, as he now also had First under his roof/care, and First's father cut them off money basically.

Regarding Porsche, so far he's the most annoying character to me. His actor does him no great service either (no shade), and we don't really now his motivations outside of random jealousy?!

The only way this makes sense is if he also photoshopped his phone screen photo on his phone (which was shown in ep1 or ep 2) where there were two people looking the same posing next to each-other..

Just my observations//theories:

I was thinking Teena and Zouey were a heartbreaking couple. Obviously Teena has never cared about someone before so he keeps saying or doing the wrong things, but then you see the scenes for the next episode.

Was Teena kissing Non/Nun? --> Yes, that was Nont and Teena. I think Teena felt heartbroken, blue-balled, AND drunk.

Does Soong actually care about First but they need money to survive so he is doing what he knows best? I think Soong has some feelings towards First but it is complicated by his own need to survive and make some money. I think 'Keen' is a regular client of his who just wants him for "simple" sex, so he probably went to him once First was cut off money by his father. Rent needs to be payed somehow lol

What did Soong have to do with Nun or his disappearance? --> Just my opinion/theory - again - I believe Soong and Nant (Nunt's missing bro) had a similar arrangement at some point in the past, the way Soong and First have - aka BDSM or heavy roleplay. Remember how Nant is a drama major, maybe he got too much into the roleplay/acting part, which in turn left an impression on Soong as well. I can only imagine these types of roleplays can be mentally draining for someone who does it as a way to earn money, and not necessarily for their own enjoyment. Either that, OR Soong fked up bad in a previous encounter with Nant and it reminded him of that.
Every week they keep making me ask more questions and it keeps me coming back to try and find answers.