Imagine, finding out that the person you are extremely in love with uses you as a substitute of the one he is obsessed with; you die with that grief and reborn and again face the same predicament?

Now imagine, using the person who loves you unconditionally as a substitute of someone you had a crush as a teen only to cause his death and realize the one you really love and had the crush on is actually the one who also loved you; but died because of you and never gonna come back and no matter how much money, influence and power you hold you cannot bring him back so you have to settle with another substitute?

Ming and Joe are both extreme lovers. They are so much in love all the humiliations, betrayal, lies, wait and even death can't tear them apart. Is that we call star crossed lovers?

Ming is a complex character, embodying both shadows and light. He had powers and knew how to wield them. Joe is our golden retriever. Due to his parents' early death and him raising himself has made him more mature and empathetic toward people around him. He was the only one who could tolerate Ming's arrogant personality and childish temperament. Ming used to be so docile with Tong but with Joe he showed his real emotions- happy, flirty, angry, desperate and even abusive.

Joe from the beginning was mesmerized by Ming's beauty and was simping over him, which gave Ming power over Joe. Joe was the sole investor in the relationship. He kept trying and trying. Pursuing and coaxing Ming, but still couldn't shake his heart. If Joe hadn't died would Ming still realize his feelings? If Sol weren't in the picture, would he realize his fear of losing Joe?

Ming took Joe as a substitute. He wanted Joe's full commitment even though he was obsessed over Tong himself. His condescending personality will definitely get on audience's nervers. He acted like he owned Joe, and in front of his willfullness Joe's feeling are not valid.

When Ming went to Joe's condo for the first time, he understood the meaning of home. Their love blossomed in that condo. Ming who could afford any luxurious mansion did not want to let go of that old, small condo where Joe and he had so many memories. This is why, even a proud and arrogant person like him didn't leave the condo despite being repeatedly told to. But I think he was a little confused because it was Joe, not the condo, that was his home.

Ming knew Joe liked him for his good looks, so when he met the pretty boy Sol, who also pursued Joe, he lost his mind. He became possessive and territorial toward Joe, like a cat. I guess he was overall like a cat—not good at conveying emotions. He felt jealous towards everyone who was close to Joe (And the jealousy award of 2024 goes to... drum roll!). He wanted Joe all to himself but also infatuated with Tong at the sametime.

Ming came from a dysfunctional family and was very young, never having loved or dated anyone before. Joe's kind and mature love was foreign to him. It was also his first time being loved by anyone unconditionally. Which was why he hid his background from Joe. Because, he wouldn't want Joe to treat him like others did.

Ming and Sol's fight over Joe was hilarious. It was like two black cats fighting over a golden retriever. Ming especially trying to rip Oppa's hair was a sign that he was jealous of Sol's good looks. He was so blinded by jealousy he could not apprehend how humiliated Joe felt after realising that he was used as a rebound. Ming dumped all the blame over Sol as if Joe was bewitched by him. He just knew he can't let go of Joe. He tried every method to keep Joe- by baiting him with a better career and by locking him up.

The one thing I will never forgive is how he treated the new Joe and his distorted way of coping with grief. With the typical sexual jealousy and frustration of losing Joe, he acted like a madman and released all his frustration on new Joe. The same thing he did with Joe when he was alive and Ming was obsessing over Tong. That kind of behavior should already put the audiences off. The author should have sent him for therapy before their reconciliation.

But, I really wanted to see Ming cry in ep 9 when he caught Joe red handed. I enjoyed those chapters from novel where he cried and begged Joe to get back together, felt anxious that Joe might leave him again. But no. He was as insidious, cold blooded and scheming as ever. He didn't shed a single tear when he realized Joe is still alive. He was promising Joe to make him famous in exchange for staying with him. Like bro! He died because of you. Try harder to make amends.

I personally believe Joe's lack of boundaries made Ming think that no matter how he treated Joe, Joe would never leave. Joe should have prioritized his needs when he was cohabiting with Ming. Ming was arrogant, selfish, and self-centered. But he suffered greatly after Joe's death. That was his punishment for what he did to Joe. But I hoped to see a better redemption arc.