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27. Rec a vid
Another instance where Guardian proves itself the exception to my rules: I've watched dozens of fan videos and even a few behind-the-scenes clips for it, whereas I usually stay away from that kind of content.
This video by NodeZero really stood out to me because it's one of the rare ones which focus on Zhao Yunlan's feelings instead of Shen Wei's. There's really no need to prove the depths of Shen Wei's devotion, since we see innumerable instances of it in canon. But when I think critically about the canon evidence we have re: Zhao Yunlan's reciprocation, I feel it's a bit lacking in comparison, and often more "take it as you will" than anything concrete. This is not unique to Guardian: pretty much any story with a human-non-human relationship** - platonic or romantic - tends to portray the non-human's devotion much more intensely and obviously; it's particularly glaring when they're more powerful and/or longer-lived than their human partner. Part of this is likely the impracticability of trying to make a mortal's capacity for commitment measure up to an immortal's, while the other part is, well, definitely human arrogance.
Anyway, that's why I picked out the above vid: it brought up some nice points about Zhao Yunlan's love that tend to get buried under the absolute deluge of Shen Wei's.
** The novel doesn't have this problem, since that version of Zhao Yunlan isn't fully human himself, and is eventually revealed to be older and more powerful than Shen Wei, which allows him to fully understand - and reciprocate - Shen Wei's dedication and devotion. Drama!Yunlan is a much cooler, more heroic character than his novel counterpart in the present time, and I approve of that wholeheartedly, but I can't help but wish he'd been allowed to be sincerely affectionate now and then, instead of only teasing and flirtatious. The change was mostly for the benefit of the censors, I know, so what truly puzzles me is that they didn't make a corresponding change in Shen Wei when they adapted him; heck, the lack of overt possessiveness actually makes drama!Shen Wei's love sweeter. But since it's his devotion - not Yunlan's - that drives the plot of the show, it wouldn't make much sense to tone it down, I guess.
Another instance where Guardian proves itself the exception to my rules: I've watched dozens of fan videos and even a few behind-the-scenes clips for it, whereas I usually stay away from that kind of content.
This video by NodeZero really stood out to me because it's one of the rare ones which focus on Zhao Yunlan's feelings instead of Shen Wei's. There's really no need to prove the depths of Shen Wei's devotion, since we see innumerable instances of it in canon. But when I think critically about the canon evidence we have re: Zhao Yunlan's reciprocation, I feel it's a bit lacking in comparison, and often more "take it as you will" than anything concrete. This is not unique to Guardian: pretty much any story with a human-non-human relationship** - platonic or romantic - tends to portray the non-human's devotion much more intensely and obviously; it's particularly glaring when they're more powerful and/or longer-lived than their human partner. Part of this is likely the impracticability of trying to make a mortal's capacity for commitment measure up to an immortal's, while the other part is, well, definitely human arrogance.
Anyway, that's why I picked out the above vid: it brought up some nice points about Zhao Yunlan's love that tend to get buried under the absolute deluge of Shen Wei's.
** The novel doesn't have this problem, since that version of Zhao Yunlan isn't fully human himself, and is eventually revealed to be older and more powerful than Shen Wei, which allows him to fully understand - and reciprocate - Shen Wei's dedication and devotion. Drama!Yunlan is a much cooler, more heroic character than his novel counterpart in the present time, and I approve of that wholeheartedly, but I can't help but wish he'd been allowed to be sincerely affectionate now and then, instead of only teasing and flirtatious. The change was mostly for the benefit of the censors, I know, so what truly puzzles me is that they didn't make a corresponding change in Shen Wei when they adapted him; heck, the lack of overt possessiveness actually makes drama!Shen Wei's love sweeter. But since it's his devotion - not Yunlan's - that drives the plot of the show, it wouldn't make much sense to tone it down, I guess.
