Harry Shum jr and why we need more people like him in the world.

 

So I have talked about this actor before  and even read some of the Youtube comments about him and his wife, there isn't a single thing that I can find that is bad press about him. If it is commented on it is in a context of natural diversity in casting, helping young or under appreciated talent and the education and intelligence of some of the fandoms he is in due to the projects he is involved in, he also understands the importance of being honest about his roots, and that acting isn't an easy gig and how his parents where concerned about how he would live. 

Yet this post is in the content of what mental health professionals call Parasocial bonds when someone forms an unhealth attachment to a character or an actor and is under the illusion  that they know the person when in reality they don't.  This is different to being a fandom or sending fan mail and respecting the actors personal lives as with social media and Comic cons people seem to blur the lines between real life relationships and Parasocial bonds. 

Parasocial interaction - Wikipedia

Yet  the iconic character that Harry plays is Magnus Bane in a cult hit TV adaption of the  Young adult book series called the moral instruments'. this series is  based on the books by Cassandra Clare. He and his colleague that play the on screen couple that is called in the internet culture "Ship," Malec a combination of both of there character's names.  These are some great articles around Harry talking about his character and in the first and subsequence seasons and how he prepared for the role and how he dealt with the pressure of taking on such an iconic character as there was a movie made and this movie didn't do well at the box office. 

Harry Shum Jr. talks Malec, shares what he'd like to see for Magnus (hiddenremote.com)

On Set with Shadowhunters: Harry Shum Jr. - YouTube 

Le Noir Auteur WonderCon 2016: Harry Shum Jr. and Matthew Daddario from Shadowhunters - YouTube

Yet in interview's and marketing for this TV series people have observed body language of his co actors and made what they call "real life shipping" videos.  Reading some of the comments in these clips it is obvious that the people don't seem to respect the boundaries of the actors and  this can effect there mental health.   I will do a post on his co star in the Malec relationship Matthew Daddario  as he seems to have been more effected by the parasocial relationship's and he has alluded to being bullied, and this leaves a lasting impression on people as I know that I have been bullied in the past or even taken advantage of as many adults' with disabilities that present as high functioning don't realise this until it is two late. 

I  have posted below some clips and articles on the dangers of Parasocial relationships  I know with Covid lockdowns this has been some of the only social interaction's people have had, and I do respect these actors and even what they call the Shadowhunters family as they see it has gone beyond a fandom to family like organizing things for charity calling out actors in live streams for says some uneducated things but this is all a part of a parasocial bond realizing that they are an actor and when a camera is on weather they are in a character or not they are performing for the world. 

Don't Let Parasocial Relationships Harm Your Real World Ones | Fatherly

Parasocial Relationships With Influencers Are Very Real (buzzfeednews.com)