Episode 2

My Stand-In Episode 2 finds Joe awake gazing at a sleeping Ming. When he does wake, Ming doesn’t recall the previous night. Oh wait, a few moments are coming back… Ming tries to warm things up again but Joe suddenly realizes he needs to be at work. Ming tags along when he hears Tong will be there too and commands Joe not tell anyone about their night together.

When they reach the set, Tong claims illness and wants Joe to take his place, even though the director needs Tong’s face. Eventually the director gives in and Joe is sent to get ready while the rest re-work the scene to not show Joe’s face.

Joe and Yim worry a bit for the female lead, who’s left to carry the pool scene alone. Joe introduces himself, offering help. She can’t swim so he assures all will be fine. They hit it in one, pleasing the director, but Ming’s a little annoyed watching Joe care for her afterwards.

Chatting in the dressing room, Yim and Joe can’t believe Tong would abandon a first-time female lead, but they quieten as Tong and Ming enter. Tong brings cake in apology for abandoning Ming the previous night. But Ming would rather feed it to Tong as Joe watches through the mirror.

Ming calls Joe to meet in the car, asking whether he’s bisexual. When he affirms he isn’t, Ming surmises that that’s why he’s close with the makeup artist, Yim. Joe asks about Tong instead but Ming says Tong is secretly the boyfriend of his sister. Joe offers dinner to make peace, but Ming’s going home instead.

As he drops him off, Tong thanks Ming for hanging out. But when Ming invites him to dinner, he declines as May is waiting. Ming’s mother tries to engage him in conversation but he stomps off to shower instead.

Joe trains junior stunt people and they complain about working too hard to have time to find girlfriends. He’s not impressed with how they pursue women by text and they wonder just why he’s asking.

Meanwhile Ming’s mother entertains Aunt Mol and Linlin, waiting for Ming to get dressed. He sneaks outside to smoke where Linlin follows behind complaining that it’s her third matchmaking session this week – if you have money, you don’t need to get married, do you? As she prattles, Ming smiles at a provocative text from Joe and she teases him.

In a handstand, Joe lectures about focus but falls as soon as Ming walks in, quickly announcing a break. Ming seeks the restroom and immediately jumps on Joe. For a second, as he’s at work, he tries to resist but they ignite a hot session, Joe screaming his name.

Later in bed, Joe asks why they always having sex from behind but Ming doesn’t answer, instead clambering onto him again. The next morning Joe makes breakfast, admiring Ming wearing his shirt. Ming asks to stay with Joe for a few days as his family is a mess. Of course, Joe excitedly opens his house for as long as he likes but Ming doesn’t respond to that bit.

At training, Joe is in great mood. One trainee asks about a former stuntman who become a K-pop idol. Enter Sol. That night the team heads out for drinks with Sol. Joe quickly texts Ming as they plan a late one, granted time off the next day.

Joe slips out for a break and Sol follows, wondering if Joe is still mad and confirming he’s back because he missed him. But before Joe can respond, the boss comes out to pull them back into the party.

At Joe’s house Ming waits. Sol shoulders a drunk Joe upstairs, but it becomes a tug-of-war until Joe grabs onto Ming. To a disappointed Sol, Ming says he’ll take good care of Joe. But the next morning Joe wakes on the floor with Ming claiming he deserved it.

Joe quickly explains about Sol but Ming notes that if he weren’t there, Joe could have used his condom. Smiling, Joe questions whether he’s jealous but Ming instantly makes him feel badly.

At training, Joe quotes heartbreaking poetry as the team works out. He tries to call but Ming’s phone is off and the guys wonder about Joe’s mood swings.

While at home, Ming sees his sister who wonders at his mood. She offers a trip where she’ll also invite his ‘beloved’ Tong along. But he’d rather spend time with her instead. They talk about a time when she saved him but got pneumonia. Discussing loneliness, they agree family is the most important thing. She wants to see him happy.

Sol shows up to challenge Joe, who’s initially reluctant, but they put on a show for the younger team. Joe knocks him out with a punch and as he recovers, Sol notes he just wanted it to be like before. But Joe reminds that he has a different life now. Wishing he’d come back sooner, Sol explains that he realized Joe was the only one who was sincere with him. He asks for another chance but Joe says he wants to be with someone who feels like home, noting he’d like Ming to be his boyfriend. Ming overhears the conversation but doesn’t interrupt.

That evening, Joe returns home to find Ming burning dinner. So Joe whips up something else, opening up about his family dying when he was young. He’d dreamed of having someone waiting for him at home. When Ming asks him to make him a key, Joe’s ecstatic. But Ming has conditions – privacy and no sleeping around. Joe asks if he’s jealous but Ming won’t tell him clearly or give in to his romantic scenarios.

In voiceover, Joe talks of wanting that playful night to have lasted forever.

The Episode Review

Hello, Red Flag.

Already that look on Joe’s face is disturbing – how gutted he is by Ming’s every push and pull. No, Joe – get away! But that’s not what’s happening. He’s pulled in by Ming’s every possessive move, believing there could be love in there somewhere.

It seems that Ming’s sister is aware of his obsession with Tong. Yes, he’s her boyfriend. Could the two be twins? Or are they just close and aware of each other. There’s something to this – perhaps Tong is or claims to be straight, maybe for his career. Tong has already made himself out to be a tricky character, so…

So, pink-haired Sol seems like a guy who’s seen the dark side. Perhaps he’ll be able to help Joe spot the behavior. Or will he presume that Sol is in it to win him for himself? So much still to come. I’d love to hear your take in the comments. 

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