The *Three-Body Problem* series is a groundbreaking science fiction production that premiered on March 21, with a staggering budget of $160 million (nearly 4,000 billion VND) for its first season of 8 episodes. This investment marks one of the largest budgets ever allocated for a Netflix series, showcasing the significant interest and ambition behind this project. The storyline is set in the 20th century and spans a timeline from the past to the future, featuring the potential arrival of extraterrestrial beings.
Image caption: The *Three-Body Problem* series is an adaptation of the original work.
Immediately after its release, *Three-Body Problem* quickly garnered the interest of viewers, drawing inspiration from the acclaimed trilogy by Chinese author Liu Cixin. The show features a diverse cast from Europe to Asia, with scenes depicting the narrative unfolding across various continents.
Notably, in the Chinese market, the series has sparked considerable discussion. According to data from The Guardian, the hashtag *Three-Body Problem* attracted 2.23 million views and several million comments within just one day. However, the dialogue surrounding the show has largely taken a negative turn, with many criticizing the adaptation for straying too far from the source material.
Specifically, as reported by The Guardian, *Three-Body Problem* has been criticized by Chinese audiences as “a poor adaptation.” With such a high budget, the production team struggled to deliver a faithful representation of the original science fiction elements that captivated audiences in the first place.
The series does feature several creative differences compared to the original work. Most of the story elements have been shifted from China to the West. The main character, Ye Wenjie, has been transformed into a female character named Augustina, portrayed by Mexican actress Eiza González. Many viewers have expressed disappointment at what they perceive as an attempt to erase the Chinese cultural roots of the original story, turning the adaptation into a product that fits a more “Hollywood-friendly” mold.
Additionally, many have compared Netflix’s adaptation with a 2023 Chinese production starring Zhang Luyi. This version stretches over 30 episodes and has been praised for its fidelity to the original narrative. However, due to its length, the pacing often feels slow compared to the more dynamic pacing of the international version.
Character Ye Wenjie, portrayed by Zhang Luyi in the Chinese version.
Aside from the Chinese market, *Three-Body Problem* has also received mixed reviews internationally. CBR highlighted that the production team invested significantly in crafting a visually stunning adaptation, but noted a lack of depth in understanding Asian cultural nuances. Meanwhile, The Daily Beast remarked that this adaptation seems like a bland interpretation that lacks the essence of the original story.
