Zhao Yunlan's quotations

[marycrawford]

(I've searched back through the type:questions tag and couldn't find it, so if anyone has already discussed this, please link me?)

I love how Zhao Yunlan pretends to be a plebe and a know-nothing, which is clearly as much of an act as his good-time guileless bro is, because he also seems to quote highbrow things all the damn time.

It's both endearing and frustrating, because I don't speak a word of Chinese, and I would really really like to know more about the things Zhao Yunlan quotes - sometimes the subs helpfully tell me it's poetry, like the line he quotes to Shen Wei when they're in the mountains in the Wear My Jacket I Insist scene. And sometimes it's clearly a proverb/saying, like "trust those you hire/hire those you trust" and IIRC he also quotes from the Art of War somewhere?

Has anyone more organized and knowledgeable than me made a list of ZYL quotations, or sources, or anything?

And is it me, or does Shen Wei, the polished 10,000 year old Professor, not do this at all?

Comments

[winter_blossom]

I wrote this comment while half-asleep and realised just now that it might sound like I don't think drama!ZYL is an intellectual. Which is absolutely not true, because I'm certain he is. However, I don't find it very plausible that he'd have taken Literature in school or have any patience for romantic poetry - that's the kind of thing mothers steer their sons towards, not single fathers like Zhao Xinci. And after his mum's death my personal headcanon is that ZYL took up subjects like criminal psychology and law and went all-out with the outdoor activities like scouting because he wanted to be well-prepared for taking over as SID Chief.

So in the dramaverse I'd totally believe ZYL quoting The Art of War or sayings by scientists and strategists, but romantic or existential poetry/dramas/plays? Not so much. Unless he'd researched them to, I dunno, catch a criminal out in a lie about their classical education or something ;)

[enviropony]

LOL, yeah, I don't see Zhao Xinci having much patience for lit or poetry. But I do see Zhao Yunlan learning that sort of thing just because he can, TBH. Not a lot, but I feel like he'd know the common classics. Like, he took that one mandatory Lit class and he aced it! He seems the kind to think that you never know what's gonna come in handy, and sometimes you need to pull a fancy quote out to impress the people who are giving money to your department. But it's definitely not his secret hobby or anything. :-)

[winter_blossom]

Oh, hey, not bad! I can totally see that, too.

[abyss_valkyrie]

Lol!The fact that you make sense when you're half-asleep is so cool.XD
I like the idea here. Ah,him being from a distinguished family rings true to me unless it's a regular Chinese practice to have their kids know how to play the violin. Someone mentioned that ZYL holds it wrong in the drama but he's still supposed to know it I guess. :) Or maybe he just wanted to read up on Lit stuff because his dad probably finds it 'useless'.

[tassosss]

I think in tv shorthand we're supposed to think he plays the violin well because they dubbed over music, but yeah, the way he holds the violin makes me cringe. The bow is placed wrong and overtightened, and *shudders*. I can't watch that scene.

[winter_blossom]

The interesting thing is that I know nothing about classical music and I could still tell that he was holding the violin wrong. Another reason I'm not super into, say, an AU with ZYL as an accomplished violinist. A less uptight instrument (like guitar, which we know the actor is excellent at!) would suit him way better *grin*

[starriewolf]

Just fyi, the ability to play a musical instrument is a hallmark of proper upbringing, so any parent who can afford it will make sure their kid learns something. Although most don't get very/any far.
It used to be only economically viable in upper society families, though, so it doesn't invalidate the headcanon of ZYL being born in a distinguished family.

[abyss_valkyrie]

That makes sense!Thanks a lot! :D
I guess many don't get far because it takes diligence and passion to stick to it and if you're really not interested,it's just impossible to keep going.