How to sell Zhao Yunlan

[sakana17]

My good friend thevetia asked me to show her Guardian, I very happily complied, we've watched through episode 13 (♥ 13! ♥) and she mentioned that she... doesn't like Zhao Yunlan much. ;__; But she wants to keep watching, so there's hope.

1.) Shen Wei is a quietly dazzling package of awesome, and I totally understand her devoting more attention and thoughts to Shen Wei because, yes.

2.) On first watch I didn't immediately love Zhao Yunlan, either, but he quickly interested me, and by this point (ep 13) I was sold. Now I love him so much I don't actually remember how I got here. :)

Through episode 13, what are Zhao Yunlan's best qualities? How would you describe his good points to someone who didn't notice them? I made an attempt, but... was not rational about it.

I don't need her to love Zhao Yunlan, of course (if she wants to watch the rest just for Shen Wei, I ain't gonna say no), but...!

Advice? Suggestions?

Comments

[extrapenguin]

Zhao Yunlan is the kind of character who grows on you. (Also, he'll soon get a better haistyle!) His smarts and ability to plot and lead and think on his feet are things that one needs a bit more time to digest and a willingness/ability to notice them rather than just "ooh explosions" or whatever. Speaking for myself, the moment I really loved him was episode 16, when he drops the act for a while and it suddenly becomes clear just how much he's wearing a mask all the time.

[sakana17]

Zhao Yunlan is the kind of character who grows on you.

That was definitely my experience. And yeah, the hairstyle change may help... ^___^

His smarts and ability to plot and lead and think on his feet

*sigh* Yessssss. He hits my competence kink so hard (they both do).

Ohhhh, thank you for reminding me about episode 16! If I can get her through episodes 14 and 15, there's good ZYL stuff in 16 and 17 that might at least help her to see him as interesting.