Apologies for the laggy bits, I'm out of sync with Topher and DC so some of their reactions are mis-timed. You can watch the full version on our patreons as well: www.patreon.com/FemmesReact www.patreon.com/TopherWarrenOfficial
I agree with Edison that the only thing I would change in this series is how they portray Joe as 30 years old and Ming as 20 years old. Joe is very patient with Ming because he understands that Ming's arrogance and dominating behavior stem from his youth, introversion, and cold demeanor. Joe wants to give their relationship time to grow. The reason Joe puts so much effort into the relationship is that he has no family or siblings, and all his friends are married. As a gay man, he has mostly encountered people who are only interested in casual relationships. Now, he truly desires a stable, long-term relationship. When Ming agrees to live with Joe, Joe hopes that Ming might have feelings for him, even if his introverted and dominant nature makes it difficult for him to show it.
So Tong knows Ming has a crush on him, and he plays into that and doesn't want it to stop. Because May is the daughter, not the son of that family, hence not the heir. He wants Ming to forever simp him so that he could become the de factor controler of their wealth and status.
Yeah like reading the novel you understand how manipulative Tong is. He is in a relationship with the sister because that is the most acceptable relationship but he keeps using Ming and his feelings for him, to get him to invest in Tong because he knows about Ming's feelings.
@@parangamasanyal917 yeah, they didn't show those manipulative moments in this flashback, but I think we got enough of evidences from previous episodes that Tong did actually pay attention to Ming, kept in touch with him when he was abroad, sort of flirting with him when he came back, being sweet with him but then avoiding, reminding all the time about May etc, so playing push and pull game, basically gazlighting him and making to fall deeper in this delulu trap. It really reminds me what Ming does to Joe, but I believe he's doing it unconsciously while Tong clearly knows what he's doing and what for. Probably btw that's why he thought Joe was trying to get roles, money etc using Ming - because that's what Tong himself would do at his place. It's hard for him to believe that someone could genuinely love Ming and just get roles due to their skills.
Tong is manipulative. Therefore, even if in the flashback they did not show Tong's side, I believe he is aware of Ming's feelings and uses them as you stated.
We admire Edison soooo much cause in the most painfull moment of Joe life- he was the only reactor who didnt laugh😢 that moment was really very very heartbreaking... Love is Love is the most impredictible feeling and also the strongest one- and Joe has the unluck to fall inlove with Ming... and he was really bad hurt with the Mings drunken confession... And after that we will observe in fact how much Ming loved Joe without realising. But thank you Topher for agreeing that Tong is much woooorse than Ming. He is a real hidden snake. Ming is an open badass and at least you know what to expect from him. But Tong... my Godness deserves to be slapped each minute, because he is playing Ming the way he wants, because he is aware of his feelings and he is using them hardly.
I agree and I hate how ppl keep saying why he doesn’t like sol , but people seem to forget when he was trying to pursue SOL , SOL at the time didn’t want to give Joe the time of day . So Joe moved on. Though Ming isn’t the best person and he and Joe could possibly not end up together Joe and SOL will never be a couple because SOL already passed on that chance , it is as simple as that
@@lisadell8103 yeah, sometimes it's easy to re-fuel an old flame, but sometimes what's gone is gone. Seems they didn't keep in touch during time when Sol was in Korea, and both have changed a lot meanwhile I guess, so it's more like starting from the scratch, and no matter how unhealthy Joe's and Ming's relationship is, there is already some emotional connection between them at this point (even if Ming doesn't want to admit or show it, but it keeps leaking through small gestures, voice tone, hidden smiles, even his sister noticed it), and Joe is really invested in making it work, so it's not like it's an easy thing to do to leave it all and immediately try to start something serious with a new person. Same like it's not easy for Ming to get rid of Tong's influence and leave his delulu world for reality with Joe. I just love how deep and complex the main characters are. At first glance many things in their story seem not to have sense, but if you look closer and check the details carefully, you start to see reasons behind their thoughts and actions. We still need more pieces of puzzle to complete the picture though, I can't wait for Ming's pov.
@@tomoyuki111 I wonder if we do get Ming's pov in the show. But I'm doubtful as I think the show is written through Joe's pov. While the novel follows through the eyes of Ming. At least the book dives deeper into the psyche of Ming. In this case Ming is very disliked in the show. I'm one who is fond of him precisely because he is so flawed. As much as we can blame Ming for being at fault. Joe also wasn't perfect. The miscommunication played a huge role. As to why their relationship failed. I have to say their quite a unique couple.
8:56 "or he just has low self esteem" nice pick up! So many people miss how insecure Ming is, how he over and over asks if Joe wants him to come with him, says basically that "if we live together you will not want me anymore", he is surprised Joe wants him rather than Sol, he is obviously jealous etc because he is insecure and quite obviously lots because of Tong and how he treated and manipulated Ming since Ming was a teen and only his sister seem to actually care about him. His sister also sees and says that Ming is really happy with Joe the rest of the family don't seem to care or know him very well. And Ming is probably very used to people just using him or befriending him because of his family and status etc etc. I think the scene with the watch also is to show Ming has so much money and everything top of the line and can do whatever he wants and date celebs etc but Joe makes him happy, it's not about status just like how he really likes and appreciate the watch because Joe gave it to him and that's worth more than money. So no, that does not excuse Mings behaviour towards Joe, many of us have been through lots of bad stuff and are broken but don't hurt people because of it but it explains why Ming is the way he is and where it comes from and that it's obviously more complex than "Ming is evil" or a psycho. So many watching My Stand-In seem to look at it so black and white as if people either are good or bad and not see why and totally overlook the complexity of the characters.
True. One thing I find interesting about Ming is that he is very quiet. I mean that he is reserved, and standoffish. He's hardly is the one who starts with conversations, usually it's Joe or anyone else asking him something. I find his arrogance as a way of defending himself mentally. I know a lot of people who do it and I do it too.
9:34 It has been more than a week. They did not do a good job showing timelapse. We went back to 3 years ago in the flashback from the elevator, and Joe was in a coma for 2 years. So they had known each other for 1 year before the accident. So they must be at a few months, if not close to a year, here. That's actually the one thing I wish they had done better thus far( I'm at episode 8): having a big compilation of all their moments together in episode 3 (could be shown in 2 minutes, that episode wasn't even 1 full hour) or at least having Joe tell us more clearly unless it is implied in the way they speak and it's lost in translation. Iqiyi translations aren't the best.
Tong still going strong as my number one suspect in the whole motorcycle "accident"... I'm with Edison on that I can understand Ming's obsession with Tong even though it is one-sided, but maybe we'll be shown more of how Tong has treated Ming for the past several years. When the siblings are first introduced to Tong in the flashback, they said their father is a big sponsor. Clearly, Tong as an actor benefits A LOT from this family. And he is definitely feeling threatened by Joe - who seems to be changing the whole game: Joe is getting actual acting roles which will give him a bigger profile (and Tong needs to feel like he is so much superior), Joe may no longer be Tong's stand-in (and we see how much Tong relies on Joe for more than just dangerous scenes, but basically whenever he doesn't need to show his face), and most importantly, Joe is getting close to Ming (and by extension to Ming's family - which might jeopardise Tong's sponsorship)... Tong has so many motives to hate Joe right now and I can only see the situation getting more messy and worse. Ming is a kitten in comparison.
DC and I share similar thoughts, because I too thought that something had to have happened between Tong and Ming. To find out that they never even had a kiss shocked me. Ming has been obsessed with Tong for years without him even being able to give him a 🖐 job?!
Some people have a tendency to obsess over things, and Tong keeps playing hot and cold, making Ming's obsessions worse. There's also the whole forbidden fruit factor that keeps Ming in check even though he keeps circling the boundary of doing or at least hoping for the unthinkable. Ming is also rash and impulsive and doesn't seem like the type to like being a secret once he lays a claim of someone: he can make you his secret but not the other way around. I think Tong is smart enough to know not to go too far with Ming so he doesn't lose the respectability of joining the family legally through May ( gay marriage had not passed in Thailand in their world).
With the age thing let us remember Ming is 20/21 at the start but 23/24 when Joe comes back and Joe IS STILL 30 cause his soul was basically in limbo for all that time and Ming changed NOTHING.
Great reaction! Loved it so much. God I really can't wait until you react to the next episode because that's when things get good. About Ming, I think the thing with him and Tong is that Ming isn't used to not getting what he wants. He's from probably the most powerful family in the country, so he can have ANYONE he wants. But then no, Tong gets with his sister, and Ming can no longer do anything about it, because he loves his sister. If Tong was free game? He would have tong (even if Tong didn't want to, perhaps). So calling Ming a child is SO ACCURATE because he's never been told no in his life and he can't wrap his head around not getting tong. In short, even if Tong obv. Doesn't like him (tho he does try to keep ming obsessed, which the whole reason he's trying to get rid of joe), Ming feels entitled to him because it doesn't matter what Tong thinks, Ming likes him and that means he should be his As for Sol, I feel people get too hard on Joe for not choosing him. Like yes, from what we are seeing, Sol is perfect fot him, unlike Ming who doesn't treasure what he has. EXCEPT SOL WASN'T ALWAYS LIKE THIS. Everyone forget that before, Joe used to like Sol, he was soooooooo good to him, and then after figuring out joe's sexuality/his crush on him, Sol started treating him pretty badly, enough that he felt Joe would be upset at him after 2 years, and we saw Joe actually leaving the meeting to be alone when they were welcoming sol, instead of catching up with his 'best friend' For Joe Sol is someone who hurt his feeling and assumed he was a sexual predator, and now he's realizing what hes lost, so he's being good to him. The fact that Joe forgave him already is a lot. Liking him romantically now is giving him a second chance, the same thing people would shit on Joe for giving Ming one. Not that I would be opposed to it, but I just feel like people call joe dumb while forgetting that sol wasn't always nice to him! He hurt joe and then realized what he's lost, so he's trying to get him back. (I really hope you show this comment or explain it to DC as well! I'm with them with loving joe, but Sol isn't the perfect guy either. Actually everyone here kinda suck 😂)
Another thing I love about this show - almost everyone (at least those that we have backstory for) did some major mistakes in life, intentionally or not, and have to deal with consequences. I guess the whole theme of the show is this, but also second chances, trying to fix past mistakes and avoid making new ones (or repeating the old ones). But for some people these are just wrong decisions while for others that's their whole personality or its major part. Does Sol he try to know him better, be closer as a friend? Or he's in love with an illusion of Joe that he used to know earlier? He's saying he'd treat Joe with much more respect, but do we know that for sure? All we know is he's treating Joe better than Ming, but that's a really low bar. I feel like Joe is being manipulated pretty much by everyone at this point, and I feel for him and don't want to do victim blaming, but also can't help thinking that by this age he should recognize at least some of these tricks and not fall for them. There's lots of inner growth needed from Ming, but also some from Joe. His naivety is cute and part of his charm, but sometimes it borders with stupidity, indeed.
Ming's arrogance is unmatched: the watch thing, smh. Ming's comment about Joe being a stand-in was a classist remark to me. I think he meant Joe's profession, not that he was using him as Tong's replacement. I think that Ming has some affection for Joe at this point, but Ming likes even better the fact that Joe's world revolves around him. Ming can't help being a spoiled brat and was raised to be selfish, that's why he is so possessive of Joe. Joe is his, more than Joe is someone he cares about. On the topic of abusive relationships, at that point ( episode 3). I don't think it's full-blown abusive, but definitely controlling, and all the ingredients for an abusive relationship are there. I think Tong can tell Ming likes him, thus he knows Ming is queer, and he enjoys leading Ming on.
I felt so uncomfortable when Sol comes in and "rescues" Joe from that awkward Christmas dinner. Some might think aww cute. But then when you think about it, doesn't Sol know that Ming will take it out on Joe afterwards? Sol is putting Joe in a worse situation without even realising it. I don't mind his character. But I don't think Sol and Joe would actually work.
I couldn’t wait for you guys to see this episode! I knew you would join the I hate Ting fan club. He accused Joe of going after Ming money when he’s doing it with the sister! He is an butthole and his arrogance gets on my nerves! Poor Arie so blinded until the end..Sol has been there and tried to tell you and now look at ya!
I always assumed that Tong was aware of Ning feelings for him, he uses it to his advantage because he knew Ming would put him first. He doesn't like that Joe has his attention and that people praise him. Tong likes attention. Ming has always liked Joe but confused him for Tong. He's realizing he does in fact like Joe and that it was his back all along. Ming is an asshole but Tong is just evil
Haha for once I find myself disagreeing with DC and Topher a lot. About Sol: sure he looks better by comparison but I don't really see him as a better option for Joe. Joe has plainly told him "No" several times at this point and he keeps pursuing him anyway. In situations where Joe can't easily say no as well. Also the way he talks to Joe feels so nice guy to me, like "I would treat you better" - Okay, maybe but it's Joe's desicion and Joe told you in clear words he doesn't want you. He's also not really Joe's equal, he's a popular idol in Korea. He might be closer to Joe's world than Ming but he's still several stratospheres removed. As for Ming and Tong: I don't think there was ever anything between them but Tong is clearly aware of Ming's feelings and using them to manipulate Ming to his benefit. I think that's why Tong was so mad in the bathroom and that's why he was trying to get Joe to back off. Because if Ming has someone else who actually gives him what he wants and doesn't just string him along Tong might not have as much control over Ming anymore. I also feel like inviting Ming to hang out with him and May are power plays for Tong. Concerning the watch: tbh I guess this is just personal preference but I'd rather be told the truth and then have the receiver of my gift accept it anyway than them just lie to me? That would feel super condescending to me and if I ever found out I would probably feel pretty bad about myself. Like the comparison to a child's gift was pretty spot on I thought, that's exactly what you would do with a child but I think its a good thing Ming doesn't treat Joe like a child? The reality is that Ming comes from way more money than Joe, I don't think there's any need to pretend otherwise. I mean Ming didn't say "Ew what's this pleb thing, get it away from me" he said "You know, this isn't what you thought it was but I like it anyway, Thanks for the gift". I really don't see what's bad about that. Didn't he do exactly what DC said? He appreciated the watch because it was Joe's gift not because of it's monetary value. At least that's how I interpreted that scene. I am fully on Edison's side concerning Ming's feelings for Joe and Tong. He's had those feelings for Tong for a long time, he's probably internalised that to some extent. 'I like Tong' has just become a part of how he views himself. We and his sister can see that he likes being around Joe, that he's much happier with Joe. And at this point I think that Ming is starting to realise too that he likes Joe for more than just Tong's replacement. But he hasn't yet unraveld the 'I like Tong' chain in his mind and Tong himself keeps doing stuff to make sure Ming stays under his influence. So he f-s up. Like, none of that to excuse Ming's actions just to explain them. At this point Ming and Joe's relationship clearly isn't very healthy. Ming is a spoiled rich brat with rich-people brain that probably doesn't have any experience of healthy interpersonal relationships other than maybe him and his sister and Joe is a completely love-starved pushover ophan who has never been anyones focus/priority in his entire life. It's a combination made for disaster. But I do think that Ming has genuine feelings for Joe at this point and I do think there is potential for their relationship to work after Ming matures a bit and Joe maybe gets a more substantial support system so that he's not completely reliant on Ming for love.
33:24. no spoiler. I am further along in the show and still dislike Tong. I feel like he is projecting his insecurities on Joe and feels lowkey threatened by him.Why do you care that Ming is with Joe when you're already dating someone? He's talking about taking a shortcut, thus indirectly calling Joe a golddigger, as if marrying May can't be seen as doing the same. These people are rich rich and the marriage will likely help his career. We can see how people on set are tired of him being a diva, but they might cut him some slacks if he marries into a powerful family. PS: I kept my comments to the thoughts I had until episode 3.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Apologies for the laggy bits, I'm out of sync with Topher and DC so some of their reactions are mis-timed.
You can watch the full version on our patreons as well:
www.patreon.com/FemmesReact
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I agree with Edison that the only thing I would change in this series is how they portray Joe as 30 years old and Ming as 20 years old. Joe is very patient with Ming because he understands that Ming's arrogance and dominating behavior stem from his youth, introversion, and cold demeanor. Joe wants to give their relationship time to grow. The reason Joe puts so much effort into the relationship is that he has no family or siblings, and all his friends are married. As a gay man, he has mostly encountered people who are only interested in casual relationships. Now, he truly desires a stable, long-term relationship. When Ming agrees to live with Joe, Joe hopes that Ming might have feelings for him, even if his introverted and dominant nature makes it difficult for him to show it.
So Tong knows Ming has a crush on him, and he plays into that and doesn't want it to stop. Because May is the daughter, not the son of that family, hence not the heir. He wants Ming to forever simp him so that he could become the de factor controler of their wealth and status.
👀 o
Yeah like reading the novel you understand how manipulative Tong is. He is in a relationship with the sister because that is the most acceptable relationship but he keeps using Ming and his feelings for him, to get him to invest in Tong because he knows about Ming's feelings.
@@parangamasanyal917 yeah, they didn't show those manipulative moments in this flashback, but I think we got enough of evidences from previous episodes that Tong did actually pay attention to Ming, kept in touch with him when he was abroad, sort of flirting with him when he came back, being sweet with him but then avoiding, reminding all the time about May etc, so playing push and pull game, basically gazlighting him and making to fall deeper in this delulu trap. It really reminds me what Ming does to Joe, but I believe he's doing it unconsciously while Tong clearly knows what he's doing and what for. Probably btw that's why he thought Joe was trying to get roles, money etc using Ming - because that's what Tong himself would do at his place. It's hard for him to believe that someone could genuinely love Ming and just get roles due to their skills.
Tong is manipulative. Therefore, even if in the flashback they did not show Tong's side, I believe he is aware of Ming's feelings and uses them as you stated.
We admire Edison soooo much cause in the most painfull moment of Joe life- he was the only reactor who didnt laugh😢 that moment was really very very heartbreaking... Love is Love is the most impredictible feeling and also the strongest one- and Joe has the unluck to fall inlove with Ming... and he was really bad hurt with the Mings drunken confession... And after that we will observe in fact how much Ming loved Joe without realising. But thank you Topher for agreeing that Tong is much woooorse than Ming. He is a real hidden snake. Ming is an open badass and at least you know what to expect from him. But Tong... my Godness deserves to be slapped each minute, because he is playing Ming the way he wants, because he is aware of his feelings and he is using them hardly.
I agree and I hate how ppl keep saying why he doesn’t like sol , but people seem to forget when he was trying to pursue SOL , SOL at the time didn’t want to give Joe the time of day . So Joe moved on. Though Ming isn’t the best person and he and Joe could possibly not end up together Joe and SOL will never be a couple because SOL already passed on that chance , it is as simple as that
@@lisadell8103 yeah, sometimes it's easy to re-fuel an old flame, but sometimes what's gone is gone. Seems they didn't keep in touch during time when Sol was in Korea, and both have changed a lot meanwhile I guess, so it's more like starting from the scratch, and no matter how unhealthy Joe's and Ming's relationship is, there is already some emotional connection between them at this point (even if Ming doesn't want to admit or show it, but it keeps leaking through small gestures, voice tone, hidden smiles, even his sister noticed it), and Joe is really invested in making it work, so it's not like it's an easy thing to do to leave it all and immediately try to start something serious with a new person. Same like it's not easy for Ming to get rid of Tong's influence and leave his delulu world for reality with Joe.
I just love how deep and complex the main characters are. At first glance many things in their story seem not to have sense, but if you look closer and check the details carefully, you start to see reasons behind their thoughts and actions. We still need more pieces of puzzle to complete the picture though, I can't wait for Ming's pov.
@@tomoyuki111 I wonder if we do get Ming's pov in the show. But I'm doubtful as I think the show is written through Joe's pov. While the novel follows through the eyes of Ming. At least the book dives deeper into the psyche of Ming.
In this case Ming is very disliked in the show. I'm one who is fond of him precisely because he is so flawed. As much as we can blame Ming for being at fault. Joe also wasn't perfect. The miscommunication played a huge role. As to why their relationship failed. I have to say their quite a unique couple.
The reason why we hate Ming you will know in the next episode... Can't wait for the reaction of ep 4
8:56 "or he just has low self esteem" nice pick up!
So many people miss how insecure Ming is, how he over and over asks if Joe wants him to come with him, says basically that "if we live together you will not want me anymore", he is surprised Joe wants him rather than Sol, he is obviously jealous etc because he is insecure and quite obviously lots because of Tong and how he treated and manipulated Ming since Ming was a teen and only his sister seem to actually care about him.
His sister also sees and says that Ming is really happy with Joe the rest of the family don't seem to care or know him very well.
And Ming is probably very used to people just using him or befriending him because of his family and status etc etc.
I think the scene with the watch also is to show Ming has so much money and everything top of the line and can do whatever he wants and date celebs etc but Joe makes him happy, it's not about status just like how he really likes and appreciate the watch because Joe gave it to him and that's worth more than money.
So no, that does not excuse Mings behaviour towards Joe, many of us have been through lots of bad stuff and are broken but don't hurt people because of it but it explains why Ming is the way he is and where it comes from and that it's obviously more complex than "Ming is evil" or a psycho.
So many watching My Stand-In seem to look at it so black and white as if people either are good or bad and not see why and totally overlook the complexity of the characters.
True. One thing I find interesting about Ming is that he is very quiet. I mean that he is reserved, and standoffish. He's hardly is the one who starts with conversations, usually it's Joe or anyone else asking him something. I find his arrogance as a way of defending himself mentally. I know a lot of people who do it and I do it too.
9:34 It has been more than a week. They did not do a good job showing timelapse. We went back to 3 years ago in the flashback from the elevator, and Joe was in a coma for 2 years. So they had known each other for 1 year before the accident. So they must be at a few months, if not close to a year, here. That's actually the one thing I wish they had done better thus far( I'm at episode 8): having a big compilation of all their moments together in episode 3 (could be shown in 2 minutes, that episode wasn't even 1 full hour) or at least having Joe tell us more clearly unless it is implied in the way they speak and it's lost in translation. Iqiyi translations aren't the best.
Tong still going strong as my number one suspect in the whole motorcycle "accident"... I'm with Edison on that I can understand Ming's obsession with Tong even though it is one-sided, but maybe we'll be shown more of how Tong has treated Ming for the past several years. When the siblings are first introduced to Tong in the flashback, they said their father is a big sponsor. Clearly, Tong as an actor benefits A LOT from this family. And he is definitely feeling threatened by Joe - who seems to be changing the whole game: Joe is getting actual acting roles which will give him a bigger profile (and Tong needs to feel like he is so much superior), Joe may no longer be Tong's stand-in (and we see how much Tong relies on Joe for more than just dangerous scenes, but basically whenever he doesn't need to show his face), and most importantly, Joe is getting close to Ming (and by extension to Ming's family - which might jeopardise Tong's sponsorship)... Tong has so many motives to hate Joe right now and I can only see the situation getting more messy and worse. Ming is a kitten in comparison.
DC and I share similar thoughts, because I too thought that something had to have happened between Tong and Ming. To find out that they never even had a kiss shocked me. Ming has been obsessed with Tong for years without him even being able to give him a 🖐 job?!
Some people have a tendency to obsess over things, and Tong keeps playing hot and cold, making Ming's obsessions worse. There's also the whole forbidden fruit factor that keeps Ming in check even though he keeps circling the boundary of doing or at least hoping for the unthinkable. Ming is also rash and impulsive and doesn't seem like the type to like being a secret once he lays a claim of someone: he can make you his secret but not the other way around. I think Tong is smart enough to know not to go too far with Ming so he doesn't lose the respectability of joining the family legally through May ( gay marriage had not passed in Thailand in their world).
This started of so damn chaotic!! ok ok you got me.
With the age thing let us remember Ming is 20/21 at the start but 23/24 when Joe comes back and Joe IS STILL 30 cause his soul was basically in limbo for all that time and Ming changed NOTHING.
Great reaction! Loved it so much. God I really can't wait until you react to the next episode because that's when things get good.
About Ming, I think the thing with him and Tong is that Ming isn't used to not getting what he wants. He's from probably the most powerful family in the country, so he can have ANYONE he wants. But then no, Tong gets with his sister, and Ming can no longer do anything about it, because he loves his sister. If Tong was free game? He would have tong (even if Tong didn't want to, perhaps). So calling Ming a child is SO ACCURATE because he's never been told no in his life and he can't wrap his head around not getting tong. In short, even if Tong obv. Doesn't like him (tho he does try to keep ming obsessed, which the whole reason he's trying to get rid of joe), Ming feels entitled to him because it doesn't matter what Tong thinks, Ming likes him and that means he should be his
As for Sol, I feel people get too hard on Joe for not choosing him. Like yes, from what we are seeing, Sol is perfect fot him, unlike Ming who doesn't treasure what he has. EXCEPT SOL WASN'T ALWAYS LIKE THIS. Everyone forget that before, Joe used to like Sol, he was soooooooo good to him, and then after figuring out joe's sexuality/his crush on him, Sol started treating him pretty badly, enough that he felt Joe would be upset at him after 2 years, and we saw Joe actually leaving the meeting to be alone when they were welcoming sol, instead of catching up with his 'best friend'
For Joe Sol is someone who hurt his feeling and assumed he was a sexual predator, and now he's realizing what hes lost, so he's being good to him. The fact that Joe forgave him already is a lot. Liking him romantically now is giving him a second chance, the same thing people would shit on Joe for giving Ming one.
Not that I would be opposed to it, but I just feel like people call joe dumb while forgetting that sol wasn't always nice to him! He hurt joe and then realized what he's lost, so he's trying to get him back. (I really hope you show this comment or explain it to DC as well! I'm with them with loving joe, but Sol isn't the perfect guy either. Actually everyone here kinda suck 😂)
Another thing I love about this show - almost everyone (at least those that we have backstory for) did some major mistakes in life, intentionally or not, and have to deal with consequences. I guess the whole theme of the show is this, but also second chances, trying to fix past mistakes and avoid making new ones (or repeating the old ones). But for some people these are just wrong decisions while for others that's their whole personality or its major part.
Does Sol he try to know him better, be closer as a friend? Or he's in love with an illusion of Joe that he used to know earlier? He's saying he'd treat Joe with much more respect, but do we know that for sure? All we know is he's treating Joe better than Ming, but that's a really low bar.
I feel like Joe is being manipulated pretty much by everyone at this point, and I feel for him and don't want to do victim blaming, but also can't help thinking that by this age he should recognize at least some of these tricks and not fall for them. There's lots of inner growth needed from Ming, but also some from Joe. His naivety is cute and part of his charm, but sometimes it borders with stupidity, indeed.
Ming's arrogance is unmatched: the watch thing, smh. Ming's comment about Joe being a stand-in was a classist remark to me. I think he meant Joe's profession, not that he was using him as Tong's replacement. I think that Ming has some affection for Joe at this point, but Ming likes even better the fact that Joe's world revolves around him. Ming can't help being a spoiled brat and was raised to be selfish, that's why he is so possessive of Joe. Joe is his, more than Joe is someone he cares about. On the topic of abusive relationships, at that point ( episode 3). I don't think it's full-blown abusive, but definitely controlling, and all the ingredients for an abusive relationship are there. I think Tong can tell Ming likes him, thus he knows Ming is queer, and he enjoys leading Ming on.
I felt so uncomfortable when Sol comes in and "rescues" Joe from that awkward Christmas dinner. Some might think aww cute. But then when you think about it, doesn't Sol know that Ming will take it out on Joe afterwards? Sol is putting Joe in a worse situation without even realising it. I don't mind his character. But I don't think Sol and Joe would actually work.
I couldn’t wait for you guys to see this episode! I knew you would join the I hate Ting fan club. He accused Joe of going after Ming money when he’s doing it with the sister! He is an butthole and his arrogance gets on my nerves! Poor Arie so blinded until the end..Sol has been there and tried to tell you and now look at ya!
I always assumed that Tong was aware of Ning feelings for him, he uses it to his advantage because he knew Ming would put him first.
He doesn't like that Joe has his attention and that people praise him.
Tong likes attention.
Ming has always liked Joe but confused him for Tong.
He's realizing he does in fact like Joe and that it was his back all along.
Ming is an asshole but Tong is just evil
Haha for once I find myself disagreeing with DC and Topher a lot.
About Sol: sure he looks better by comparison but I don't really see him as a better option for Joe. Joe has plainly told him "No" several times at this point and he keeps pursuing him anyway. In situations where Joe can't easily say no as well. Also the way he talks to Joe feels so nice guy to me, like "I would treat you better" - Okay, maybe but it's Joe's desicion and Joe told you in clear words he doesn't want you. He's also not really Joe's equal, he's a popular idol in Korea. He might be closer to Joe's world than Ming but he's still several stratospheres removed.
As for Ming and Tong: I don't think there was ever anything between them but Tong is clearly aware of Ming's feelings and using them to manipulate Ming to his benefit. I think that's why Tong was so mad in the bathroom and that's why he was trying to get Joe to back off. Because if Ming has someone else who actually gives him what he wants and doesn't just string him along Tong might not have as much control over Ming anymore. I also feel like inviting Ming to hang out with him and May are power plays for Tong.
Concerning the watch: tbh I guess this is just personal preference but I'd rather be told the truth and then have the receiver of my gift accept it anyway than them just lie to me? That would feel super condescending to me and if I ever found out I would probably feel pretty bad about myself. Like the comparison to a child's gift was pretty spot on I thought, that's exactly what you would do with a child but I think its a good thing Ming doesn't treat Joe like a child? The reality is that Ming comes from way more money than Joe, I don't think there's any need to pretend otherwise. I mean Ming didn't say "Ew what's this pleb thing, get it away from me" he said "You know, this isn't what you thought it was but I like it anyway, Thanks for the gift". I really don't see what's bad about that. Didn't he do exactly what DC said? He appreciated the watch because it was Joe's gift not because of it's monetary value. At least that's how I interpreted that scene.
I am fully on Edison's side concerning Ming's feelings for Joe and Tong. He's had those feelings for Tong for a long time, he's probably internalised that to some extent. 'I like Tong' has just become a part of how he views himself. We and his sister can see that he likes being around Joe, that he's much happier with Joe. And at this point I think that Ming is starting to realise too that he likes Joe for more than just Tong's replacement. But he hasn't yet unraveld the 'I like Tong' chain in his mind and Tong himself keeps doing stuff to make sure Ming stays under his influence. So he f-s up. Like, none of that to excuse Ming's actions just to explain them. At this point Ming and Joe's relationship clearly isn't very healthy. Ming is a spoiled rich brat with rich-people brain that probably doesn't have any experience of healthy interpersonal relationships other than maybe him and his sister and Joe is a completely love-starved pushover ophan who has never been anyones focus/priority in his entire life. It's a combination made for disaster. But I do think that Ming has genuine feelings for Joe at this point and I do think there is potential for their relationship to work after Ming matures a bit and Joe maybe gets a more substantial support system so that he's not completely reliant on Ming for love.
Love you guys reaction ❤.
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Yeah, Tong is the worst 😡 and the watch scene piss me off too. Its still Omega for god sake. Not like its cheap 🤨
33:24. no spoiler. I am further along in the show and still dislike Tong. I feel like he is projecting his insecurities on Joe and feels lowkey threatened by him.Why do you care that Ming is with Joe when you're already dating someone? He's talking about taking a shortcut, thus indirectly calling Joe a golddigger, as if marrying May can't be seen as doing the same. These people are rich rich and the marriage will likely help his career. We can see how people on set are tired of him being a diva, but they might cut him some slacks if he marries into a powerful family. PS: I kept my comments to the thoughts I had until episode 3.