So my adoration of bookshelves is no secret. I have way too many in my house. I've converted preschool cubbies, cleaned and restored bookcases from a local church that caught on fire, made makeshift ones out of crates, etc.
A lot CAN be said about a person based on their bookcase. Which is why I was delighted that @dramalove247 directed me to this post earlier today that referenced the way Qian stores his books in Unknown. I won't judge it. That many books of that size would not have fit spine out on that shelf. You do what you need to do. Based on his personality, I guarantee you that Qian knows where his books are within those stacks.
But the post reminded me of just how obsessed I was with the bookshelves when I watched this show.
I rarely care too much about which books are ON a crowded bookshelf in a show. It can be a fun detail, but I know that most of the time it's just whatever production could find. (Note: There are a few exceptions on this score.)
But how the books are arranged? And how that changes over time? That feels more purposeful. And even if it's not, I'm going to make something of it anyways. Whether intended or not, my own takeaways from a show are what count in my book.
In Unknown, there are all kinds of bookshelves in their house. There are even bookshelves at Qian's work. All neatly arranged since work is where appearances matter most. (Arranged by someone else I'm sure, but the point stands.)
These two men LOVE their books. Their girl loves her magazines. The magazines are normally on the coffee table. After all, this is her home too. And this trio loves each other for who they are.
There are two bookcases in the living room. When Qian was a child living with his mother, the one by the door was almost empty.
And the other devoid of any color.
But as Qian takes on the caretaker roles for Yuan and Bao, the bookcase by the door begins to fill up.
And has colorful artwork hung above it. Life has become fuller for all three of them and filled with moments of joy and color.
The other bookcase is now crammed with books, and it also has artwork. Artwork from a child. These are evidence that they've built a family and home together.
And as they all age into adulthood, the bookcases and the art on the wall change again. Once Yuan goes abroad, the one by the door has been rearranged. Some new items. Some old. After all, we've changed but the past is still with us. And there's now a picture of presumably a foreign place hanging over the dark bookcase. Yuan being abroad has cast a shadow on their happiness. A light has been left on near the door. They would welcome him home at any time.
And once he comes home, we see the lighting shift. The light from abroad has "returned". As far as I remember, that light by the picture stays on for the rest of the show.
By this point, the bookcase by the television has become a bit more curated with modern pictures on the wall representing life and love. Yes, that is a heart in the left picture. They're growing up and getting themselves in order. But the love for each other remains.
While it's not as dramatic, we see changes over time in Yuan's bookshelves too. He's got some shelves on the wall and books by his bed (spine out). Again, the men in this house love their books.
But the changes primarily happen in his main bookcase.
It shifts over time as he lives longer with Qian and Bao. While some things stay the same, we start seeing it more lit up and new things are added. Including more playful reading material. It's rearranged several times throughout the show as Yuan himself changes over time.
Side note - I always appreciated how Yuan stored special memories in his books. I choose my bookmarks carefully too, and they are rarely an actual bookmark.
When Yuan goes abroad, his shelves are much emptier. His life is no longer as full without Qian and Bao in it.
And although Qian lingers in Yuan's room, his shelves at home are dark. Yuan isn't there.
But as soon as Yuan's back home, the shelf rearranges again and is basked in light.
Which brings us back to Qian and his books. We could argue that his books are stacked with the titles hidden, because he's focused more on utility. That his feelings are "hidden" or any number of other things. The majority of the books we see of his are reference books or practical books of some kind.
But that's not the part I normally choose to focus on. I focus on the fact that as an adult Qian has a bookshelf by his bed too. Ones that are not all reference books.
Whereas, when they were younger, he did not have a shelf there at all.
And while Yuan had the nice desk, the nice bookshelf, and lots of books as he grew up.
He only had a few books on a chair under his punching bag that says "never give up" and a very basic desk.
Because his priority has ALWAYS been Yuan and Bao, and their happiness. As Bao says, he has been brother, mother and father. He has always wanted them to have everything he couldn't and everything they dreamed of in life.
Which is why this cramped bookcase overflowing with books brings me joy. It was a sign that Qian's life was more stable by the end of the series. He could focus a bit more on himself. He could buy himself books and get himself a proper bookshelf.
And although he still fought his feelings for Yuan for a while, the man has more joy in his life by the end of the series than he can fit on his shelves.
It's a sign that Qian can put down his boxing gloves and accept his feelings for Yuan.
He's reached the point where he can afford to get himself books. He can now afford to think about himself.
And he can afford to let himself be happy.
