In the fourth episode of "My Stand-In," Joe finds himself anxiously awaiting Ming's awakening. When Ming finally opens his eyes, he seems oblivious to the events of the previous night, which Joe vividly remembers. With a quiet farewell and a breakfast left behind, Joe slips out of the apartment, barely uttering a word.
At the workplace, Director Pao and Tong are locked in a heated debate over scheduling, with Tong's impending wedding plans causing a rift. Tong, exasperated, tells Pao to find a replacement. Without hesitation, Pao turns to Joe and offers him the leading role. Caught in the midst of the tension, Joe looks visibly shaken as Tong storms out.
Wut tries to reassure Joe that this situation is Tong's fault, hinting that Tong secretly wants Joe to star in a film but chose the wrong one – one that Tong's fans would tear him apart for. Recalling his intimate night with Ming, Joe decides to seize the opportunity to prove to Tong's fans that he can carry a leading role.
Wut expresses surprise at Joe's swift acceptance, warning him that he should reconsider his decision. But Joe is resolute, asking if he can stay at Wut's house that night to discuss the matter further. Wut's pregnant wife warmly welcomes Joe and informs Wut that the international production team has reached out again, but Wut declines to work with them.
Joe confides in Wut that his breakup with Ming stemmed from Ming's perception of him as merely a Tong stand-in. Wut grasps the situation – Joe can do anything Tong can, and he's relieved that Joe is no longer entangled with Ming. He encourages Joe to resolve issues with Ming, reminding him of the impending press conference for the movie.
When Joe tells Ming to pack up and leave, Ming is taken aback. The next day, Ming confronts Joe at work, physically restraining him and insisting he come home. Sol intervenes, leading to a scuffle. Wut ejects Ming but warns Joe for not sorting things out earlier.
Back at Joe's apartment, Ming hasn't packed, prompting Joe to start packing for him. Ming holds Joe tightly, sparking a heated argument. Tong calls, and Joe hands the phone to Ming, who vents about being fired and demands Ming prevent Joe from attending the press conference. Ming promises to handle it.
Ming then turns his anger on Joe, accusing him of betraying him for Sol and sleeping with him the previous night. In the midst of the shouting, Sol calls, saying he's on his way, but Joe tells him not to come. Suddenly, Ming strikes Joe from behind with a bat. Joe awakens chained in an unfamiliar room, with Ming confirming that he'll never see Sol now.
Meanwhile, Sol prepares for the press conference, elated about working with Joe. Wut searches frantically for Joe, who has inexplicably vanished, with no one having heard from him.
In captivity, Joe realizes that Ming's actions are aimed at protecting Tong's role. Ming, however, shifts the blame back onto Joe, claiming he just wants to leave to be with Sol. He vows that Joe will never escape.
At the press conference, Wut faces an enraged Pao, who claims that no one has ever dared behave this way in his entire career. He blames Wut for the predicament, threatening them both. Meanwhile, Tong arrives, flowers in hand and dressed for the occasion. Wut wonders if Tong had a hand in Joe's disappearance.
Joe, with a puzzled expression, inquired Ming why he should concern himself with Sol, given his obvious affection for Tong. "Was I merely a sexual companion to you?" Joe accused, his voice tinged with bitterness. Ming, in response, tried to assert his ownership over Joe, but Joe cut him off, declaring that what he truly desired was Ming himself. As their lips met, Joe, still shackled, longed to embrace Ming, prompting him to finally unlock the chains. Joe then asked, eyes pleading, if he could take the lead this time – or if Ming still saw him as a mere replacement for Tong. Ming, turning to grant Joe his wish, was unexpectedly restrained by Joe's cuff.
Rushing to Wut's residence, Joe breathlessly recounted the turn of events. Noticing the bruises on Joe's wrists, Wut speculated Tong's involvement, but Joe remained unaware. Wut revealed that Pao had blacklisted Joe, rendering him unhireable even by Wut. Joe, tears streaming down his face, resolved to take the international job, despite Wut and his wife's warnings of its dangers. Joe's insistence led Wut to declare that their friendship would end if he pursued the dangerous path.
Ming, seeking information about Joe, appeared at Wut's office, where Sol stood observing. Wut, pointing a finger at Ming, accused him of being the reason behind Joe's departure.
On the international film set, the director's dissatisfaction with the team's quality was palpable, even before the shoot began. At the brink of the shoot, Ming's call interrupted Joe, who politely asked him to let go. Ming expressed his desire to start anew, but Joe, knowing it was too late, declined. Ming vowed to wait at their home indefinitely, promising that Joe would never again be a mere stand-in. However, Joe's phone died before Ming could finish his sentence. Called to perform a stunt, Joe felt an overwhelming sense of melancholy. His next waking moment was in a hospital room, two years later.
Flashing to the present, a new Joe encountered Ming in the elevator. Ming, eyebrow arched, pondered if they had met before. Joe, maintaining his composure, denied any prior encounter, leaving Ming utterly perplexed. As Joe trudged home through the rain, he blamed Ming for his predicament.
In his room, Joe delved into the details of his past life. Sol had returned to Korea, while Tong had reclaimed his movie, making it an international sensation. Tong had married May and ascended into the ranks of a wealthy family's in-law. Ming, on the other hand, had become a sought-after presenter, acting in films and representing high-end brands. As for Joe, it seemed the international production company had swept his existence under the rug, covering up his demise. Without family, Joe felt forgotten, as if he had never existed.
Joe visited his old apartment, the spare key hidden in its usual spot. As he reached for the door, the room lit up, revealing Ming inside, cooking a meal for one. The sight tugged at Joe's heartstrings, reminding him of his long-forgotten dream of someone waiting for him at home. Ming set two plates on the table but ate alone. Joe pondered over the unspoken words that Ming had tried to convey when their call was abruptly cut off. As Ming heard a noise outside and rose to investigate, Joe, driven by an inexplicable fear, fled into the night.
