A Flawed Adaptation Saved by Incredible Chemistry
*Guardian* is probably the first Chinese drama that made me force my Mandarin-fluent friend to read the original novel, watch all forty episodes, and then summarize everything for me. And mind you, he wasn't even a fan of BL novels.
I first discovered the drama through a trailer recommended by YouTube, and I'm glad I clicked on it. The very first episode captured my attention, especially the moment Shen Wei (Zhu Yi Long) saw Zhao Yun Lan (Bai Yu) at the university. One look was enough to tell me there was a deeper history between them. Even without knowing the full story, that scene carried an emotional weight that immediately drew me in.
Fans of the novel know that the source material is a BL story. However, due to censorship regulations, the drama had to tone down the relationship and present the pair more as soul brothers than soulmates. Despite those restrictions, Zhu Yi Long and Bai Yu managed to convey the essence of their relationship through subtle expressions, body language, and the way they looked at each other. Sometimes a glance said more than a page of dialogue ever could.
The plot itself is present, but the drama's limited budget often shows. Some storylines and visual effects feel underdeveloped, and there are moments where the editing makes scenes feel incomplete, as though important material was cut out. If you're someone who gets frustrated by inconsistencies or small production flaws, you'll find plenty to criticize here. Just pay attention to Zhao Yun Lan's lollipop. One moment it's in his mouth, the next it's in his hand, and suddenly it's back in his mouth again.
What truly saved *Guardian* from falling apart were its two leads. Zhu Yi Long and Bai Yu carried the series on their shoulders. It's hard to imagine anyone else bringing these characters to life the way they did. Interestingly, Bai Yu once mentioned that he was initially uncomfortable taking the role after reading the novel. Personally, I don't think that had anything to do with the BL elements. Zhao Yun Lan in the novel is much more flirtatious and mischievous, almost reminding me of Sun Wukong at times.
The supporting cast deserves recognition as well. The entire SID team felt as though they had stepped directly out of the novel, albeit with some adjustments to satisfy censorship requirements. Even several secondary characters left a strong impression, particularly the actor who portrayed the new king and the character with fire-based abilities.
One thing I absolutely loved was the opening theme. It sounded epic and promised a grand fantasy adventure, even if the production itself couldn't always deliver on that scale. It was also unusual because the opening song was in English. While English songs occasionally appear as insert tracks in Chinese dramas, it's much rarer to hear one used as the official opening theme.
As for rewatch value? Absolutely. Though if I'm being honest, I'd probably skip some of the weaker plotlines and focus mainly on the scenes involving the two leads. In fact, someone should edit all forty episodes into a single movie centered entirely on Shen Wei and Zhao Yun Lan.
Overall, *Guardian* was my favorite Chinese drama of 2018. It isn't perfect. The budget limitations, editing issues, and occasional plot inconsistencies are impossible to ignore. But if you're looking for logic and flawless storytelling, this may not be the drama for you. Watch it for Zhu Yi Long, Bai Yu, and the unforgettable chemistry they brought to their characters.
I first discovered the drama through a trailer recommended by YouTube, and I'm glad I clicked on it. The very first episode captured my attention, especially the moment Shen Wei (Zhu Yi Long) saw Zhao Yun Lan (Bai Yu) at the university. One look was enough to tell me there was a deeper history between them. Even without knowing the full story, that scene carried an emotional weight that immediately drew me in.
Fans of the novel know that the source material is a BL story. However, due to censorship regulations, the drama had to tone down the relationship and present the pair more as soul brothers than soulmates. Despite those restrictions, Zhu Yi Long and Bai Yu managed to convey the essence of their relationship through subtle expressions, body language, and the way they looked at each other. Sometimes a glance said more than a page of dialogue ever could.
The plot itself is present, but the drama's limited budget often shows. Some storylines and visual effects feel underdeveloped, and there are moments where the editing makes scenes feel incomplete, as though important material was cut out. If you're someone who gets frustrated by inconsistencies or small production flaws, you'll find plenty to criticize here. Just pay attention to Zhao Yun Lan's lollipop. One moment it's in his mouth, the next it's in his hand, and suddenly it's back in his mouth again.
What truly saved *Guardian* from falling apart were its two leads. Zhu Yi Long and Bai Yu carried the series on their shoulders. It's hard to imagine anyone else bringing these characters to life the way they did. Interestingly, Bai Yu once mentioned that he was initially uncomfortable taking the role after reading the novel. Personally, I don't think that had anything to do with the BL elements. Zhao Yun Lan in the novel is much more flirtatious and mischievous, almost reminding me of Sun Wukong at times.
The supporting cast deserves recognition as well. The entire SID team felt as though they had stepped directly out of the novel, albeit with some adjustments to satisfy censorship requirements. Even several secondary characters left a strong impression, particularly the actor who portrayed the new king and the character with fire-based abilities.
One thing I absolutely loved was the opening theme. It sounded epic and promised a grand fantasy adventure, even if the production itself couldn't always deliver on that scale. It was also unusual because the opening song was in English. While English songs occasionally appear as insert tracks in Chinese dramas, it's much rarer to hear one used as the official opening theme.
As for rewatch value? Absolutely. Though if I'm being honest, I'd probably skip some of the weaker plotlines and focus mainly on the scenes involving the two leads. In fact, someone should edit all forty episodes into a single movie centered entirely on Shen Wei and Zhao Yun Lan.
Overall, *Guardian* was my favorite Chinese drama of 2018. It isn't perfect. The budget limitations, editing issues, and occasional plot inconsistencies are impossible to ignore. But if you're looking for logic and flawless storytelling, this may not be the drama for you. Watch it for Zhu Yi Long, Bai Yu, and the unforgettable chemistry they brought to their characters.
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