My Stand-In

When I tell you this show had me hooked start to finish, I mean it. It was very, very entertaining. I cried, I laughed, and I yelled in frustration. It was a torturous cycle of emotions. Not at all what I was expecting either. I didn't understand the description when I read it, so I had no idea what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn't this. I could say so much about this show, but I won't, just that this story was executed perfectly. Lets applaud that ending for a moment, 👏👏👏👏.

Onto the controversial character; I'm usually pretty lenient with main characters in films- even the toxic ones- but Ming, man, he just pissed me off in the beginning. Even though I understood him, I hated him. I did start to like him though; it took a while, but I did- not entirely, but I did. Although he still wasn't perfect, he went through some serious development. I even found myself rooting for him. Honestly, my emotions towards Ming were all over the place constantly, but man he made me forgive him in the end. Still a brat, but I blame his family; I forgive him and love him. I love this show.

(I already wrote this whole review, but it disappeared, so here I am again.) When I first read the description of this show, I didn't understand it one bit, so I had no clue what I was going into, but I definitely wasn't expecting this. I laughed, I cried, and I yelled in complete frustration. It was a torturous cycle of emotions, and I loved every second of it.

There is the absolute sweetheart everyone loved, Joe, and there is a fairly controversial character, Ming; Joe stole my heart from the beginning; he is such a kind person with almost 0 flaws, while Ming, on the other hand, is filled with them. I am pretty lenient with main characters in films usually, but Ming brought out such a rage. I liked him, then I caught on and I hated him, then I hated him some more and more; he felt irredeemable. Nonetheless, I forgave him- he made me forgive him, I rooted for him, and in the end, I actually loved him. Were they toxic in the beginning? Yes, definitely, 100% but I think he really proved himself to be good at heart, despite others' opinions. This series is (my favorite saying) a 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.

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.

My Stand-In (Thai BL Miniseries) Review

This drama left me feeling empty and lonely in the best way possible - the kind of void that only comes after experiencing something truly unforgettable. From the very beginning, I fell deeply in love with the main character. I honestly wished I could carry him with me into real life; that's how profoundly his presence affected me.

The storyline is absolutely brilliant. It's rare to come across a drama where storytelling, acting, and emotional connection all align so powerfully. Often, a series will have one or two of these elements and fall short on the rest. But here, the writing deserves a standing ovation - it's one of the most thoughtfully crafted plots I've seen in a BL miniseries. Whoever wrote this needs recognition.

What makes My Stand-In so special is that it doesn't rely on steamy scenes or superficial romance. It delivers emotional depth and character-driven storytelling. The acting was top-tier, especially from Joe and Ming. Joe made me want to root for him with every fiber of my being, and Ming... wow, you'll hate him so much because he plays his role so convincingly. That's the mark of a strong performance.

Sure, the fight scenes were a little off, but everything else - especially the emotional expressions, the eye contact, the subtle gestures - was on point. The chemistry was palpable. It's one of those rare shows that might confuse you at the beginning with a vague synopsis, but that's part of its charm. You need to watch it to truly understand the beauty of the story unfolding.

I honestly didn't want it to end. Yes, I got the closure I needed, but I still wish I could keep Joe's character close to me. His aura, his personality, everything about him was just so magnetic.

My Stand-In isn't just another BL drama - it's art. And it's very, very rare.