This review may contain spoilers
My Stand in: A Car Crash You Just Can’t Look Away From
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
I never really write reviews, and I watched this show a few months back now, but it plays on my mind every time I’m reminded of it, and I just want to get my opinion out there.
Joe; the epitome of love making you blind.
First off, Joe poured his heart and soul into someone who never really wanted him. He had fallen for Ming faster than he was able to use his common sense, or any self respect he may of had. He threw everything away for Ming, someone who used him as a replacement, and only ever felt guilty for doing so after his death. Even then, was it actually guilt? Or simply frustration that Ming had lost something he now wanted, but it was all out of his control for once? I believe Joe’s death was necessary for Ming to snap out of his self-obsessed, narcissistic bubble, but sadly, he never truly did. Yes, he became somewhat better, but he was far from perfect and never will be. But in a strange way, Joe adores each extreme flaw about Ming and thrives around the pain Ming causes him. I do not blame Joe for falling for Ming, and I never once felt frustrated every time he returned to him. Instead, I felt the conflicted pain Joe felt. He knew Ming was no good, but he was in too deep – every fibre of his being belonged to Ming. They gave us a few scenes alluding to Ming’s love for Joe, but I never really felt it like I do in other shows. In fact, the ‘love’ Ming showcased was more bare minimum stuff. Such as him getting the mugs fixed, does that mean he loves him?
Where do I even start with Ming?
Ming was selfish, narcissistic, controlling an impulsive. He ruined the lives of countless people around him, but nothing compared to the pain he put Joe through. Someone so selfless was destroyed by the most selfish man I’ve ever seen in a drama, disguised to be the ‘redeemed’ love interest. Ming has always gotten what he wanted, apart from Tong, which is a rejection he couldn’t handle and so Joe became his victim – a toy to play with to feel victorious over Tong, to prove that he can get whoever he wants, and I believe Joe’s infatuation with him was completely satisfying. He loved seeing Joe agonisingly cry over him, begging to just be loved. I don’t hate Ming, but that doesn’t mean I like him. He is a product of his parents' – and the people around him – pampering, making him spoiled and narcissistic, and definitely needs to find a therapist, for everyone’s sake.
The ending had, and still does conflict me. Joe can never return to his old body, forever trapped within the ’New Joe’. In one way, it gives Joe a new chance at life, with a mom to adore him, and a promising career ahead of him. But in another way, he is a foreigner within his own body and always will be. The ’New Joe’ is also symbolic of Ming’s guilt, serving as a constant reminder to Ming for what he did to the ‘Old Joe’. He can never have back the original person he loved, not the way it was. His face, his gaze, his touch, it’s all different and yet somehow the same. Joe is within, his kind soul and his unwavering devotion to Ming, but the face he sees is his consequences looking back at him, haunting him forever.
I know the review I just wrote may not sound like it, but I did love this drama. It’s one of a kind – wether it’s in a good or a bad way – and I was truly captivated by this drama. (I watched it in about 4 to 5 days?) I loved Joe’s kind-hearted nature and the relationship formed between Joe and his new mother. However, I do have one major complaint that I felt should’ve been touched up on. What about the body Joe was in? Who was this other Joe? We met his ex and discovered his cause of death, but other than that, this Joe is a stranger to us and I did feel extremely sorry for him. He was dead, without a second chance, and the series never even gave us the gratification of giving us at least an episode’s worth of backstory for this mystery Joe. (ngl I wanted to see some more of the other Joe because the actor is absolutely beautiful, along with the rest of the cast of course)
Overall, if you’re into dark, twisted dramas then this one will probably be for you. it’s a 9/10 from me. totally flawed, but a uniquely enjoyable watch. The actors are all talented and do their job well. The OST is forgettable, but that isn’t very important to me.
I never really write reviews, and I watched this show a few months back now, but it plays on my mind every time I’m reminded of it, and I just want to get my opinion out there.
Joe; the epitome of love making you blind.
First off, Joe poured his heart and soul into someone who never really wanted him. He had fallen for Ming faster than he was able to use his common sense, or any self respect he may of had. He threw everything away for Ming, someone who used him as a replacement, and only ever felt guilty for doing so after his death. Even then, was it actually guilt? Or simply frustration that Ming had lost something he now wanted, but it was all out of his control for once? I believe Joe’s death was necessary for Ming to snap out of his self-obsessed, narcissistic bubble, but sadly, he never truly did. Yes, he became somewhat better, but he was far from perfect and never will be. But in a strange way, Joe adores each extreme flaw about Ming and thrives around the pain Ming causes him. I do not blame Joe for falling for Ming, and I never once felt frustrated every time he returned to him. Instead, I felt the conflicted pain Joe felt. He knew Ming was no good, but he was in too deep – every fibre of his being belonged to Ming. They gave us a few scenes alluding to Ming’s love for Joe, but I never really felt it like I do in other shows. In fact, the ‘love’ Ming showcased was more bare minimum stuff. Such as him getting the mugs fixed, does that mean he loves him?
Where do I even start with Ming?
Ming was selfish, narcissistic, controlling an impulsive. He ruined the lives of countless people around him, but nothing compared to the pain he put Joe through. Someone so selfless was destroyed by the most selfish man I’ve ever seen in a drama, disguised to be the ‘redeemed’ love interest. Ming has always gotten what he wanted, apart from Tong, which is a rejection he couldn’t handle and so Joe became his victim – a toy to play with to feel victorious over Tong, to prove that he can get whoever he wants, and I believe Joe’s infatuation with him was completely satisfying. He loved seeing Joe agonisingly cry over him, begging to just be loved. I don’t hate Ming, but that doesn’t mean I like him. He is a product of his parents' – and the people around him – pampering, making him spoiled and narcissistic, and definitely needs to find a therapist, for everyone’s sake.
The ending had, and still does conflict me. Joe can never return to his old body, forever trapped within the ’New Joe’. In one way, it gives Joe a new chance at life, with a mom to adore him, and a promising career ahead of him. But in another way, he is a foreigner within his own body and always will be. The ’New Joe’ is also symbolic of Ming’s guilt, serving as a constant reminder to Ming for what he did to the ‘Old Joe’. He can never have back the original person he loved, not the way it was. His face, his gaze, his touch, it’s all different and yet somehow the same. Joe is within, his kind soul and his unwavering devotion to Ming, but the face he sees is his consequences looking back at him, haunting him forever.
I know the review I just wrote may not sound like it, but I did love this drama. It’s one of a kind – wether it’s in a good or a bad way – and I was truly captivated by this drama. (I watched it in about 4 to 5 days?) I loved Joe’s kind-hearted nature and the relationship formed between Joe and his new mother. However, I do have one major complaint that I felt should’ve been touched up on. What about the body Joe was in? Who was this other Joe? We met his ex and discovered his cause of death, but other than that, this Joe is a stranger to us and I did feel extremely sorry for him. He was dead, without a second chance, and the series never even gave us the gratification of giving us at least an episode’s worth of backstory for this mystery Joe. (ngl I wanted to see some more of the other Joe because the actor is absolutely beautiful, along with the rest of the cast of course)
Overall, if you’re into dark, twisted dramas then this one will probably be for you. it’s a 9/10 from me. totally flawed, but a uniquely enjoyable watch. The actors are all talented and do their job well. The OST is forgettable, but that isn’t very important to me.
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