The concept of this “Unsung hero” commercial appears quite clear during the first ten seconds of the video. However, it is unclear what is advertised – and it remains unclear until the end. One could say that it is an advertisement for compassion, understanding, and a short film towards the promotion of good deeds – since there are fewer and fewer of them in the world. Despite the concept and the scenario being fairly simple, the emotional response it triggers in the audience is extraordinary.
The protagonist is following his daily routine – but in the meantime is donating to the poor, feeding homeless dogs, and helping the elderly and the townspeople. For doing that, as it seems in the first part of the video, the main hero receives nothing but judgment and disapproval from his fellow citizens. Even the narrator proves the viewers’ thoughts by stating that “he gets nothing” (ThaiLifeChannel, 1:18). It seems that everyone around him is taking his help for granted, but he does not notice. Closer to the apex of this simple story, the reason for his obsession with doing good is revealed: he sees happiness through his own eyes and experiences true joy when helping others.
It is a feeling the modern society urges its members – every one – to forget. Making people obsessed with benefits for their own sake, acquirement of personal material wealth, careerism, and various other strategies are contributing immensely to the extinction of people like him. His actions, and the philosophy of renunciation, his compassion for every live creature, are the antidote to the egocentrism of the modern world. The “unsung hero” finds relief, perhaps even reaches enlightenment, in making the world a better, safer, and more kind place. Obviously, one can argue that one person’s deeds are just a drop in the ocean, but they cannot deny that they are capable of inspiring anyone. The hero’s actions feel so familiar, yet so distant and forgotten. If only one would ask themselves: “When was the last time that I have done a similar good deed?” – and alter the reality for the better, it would result in a noticeable change.
Reference
ThaiLifeChannel, “Unsung Hero”. (2014). YouTube, Web.