Hit Netflix series ‘The 3-Body Problem’ sparks mixed reactions in China

Despite the criticism, many nevertheless agree that the adaptation of the work of Chinese writer Liu Cixin is a great recognition for Chinese science fiction.

New blockbuster from Netflix, The 3-body problem, adaptation for a Western audience of the famous Chinese science fiction novel, is sparking a passionate debate in China, even if the series is not officially broadcast there. The American video-on-demand platform is not present in the Chinese market. But that doesn’t stop fans of the series from watching this new version through virtual private networks (VPN) or pirate sites.

Hashtags relating to the series have been viewed more than two billion times on the Chinese social network Weibo. And tens of thousands of comments were posted on a review site. Reactions range from disappointment at the changes to the plot and characters, to satisfaction at seeing Chinese cultural production gaining international popularity.

Many liberties with the original work

The Netflix version, like the first Chinese adaptations released in recent years, is based on the literary trilogy The 3-body problem by the writer Liu Cixin, now a science fiction legend in China and around the world. “Many fans of the novel know all the details of the characters by heart. So they have difficulty accepting the changes”told AFP Li Dongdong, founder of Geek Movie, a group of Chinese Internet users who are science fiction fans.

Previous adaptations have thus strived to respect the original work. During a conference, Liu Cixin explained that he himself had suggested a small visual change in the narrative for the Chinese series. But he was told by the director: “No question of making too big a change that would completely alter the original work!” And this is exactly the criticism that many Internet users are leveling at the Netflix adaptation.

Led by the team behind the hit American series Game Of Thrones, she moved most of the plot to the United Kingdom, although it was originally in China, and changed the nationality and gender of some key characters. A choice criticized by many in China, but also abroad. Because if the series was the most watched on Netflix from the second week, the comments were mixed, the American cultural magazine Rolling Stone calling her “big failure”.

Geopolitical considerations

In China, some also question the fact that the roles of Chinese “bad guys” have been retained while the positive characters are now mainly played by Westerners. “The casting once again shows that Americans are ideologues”, wrote a user in a widely shared comment. Others see the presentation of Chinese history as another source of controversy.

The series begins in the 1960s, with a scene from the Cultural Revolution in which a physics professor, father of the novel’s central character, is killed for refusing to deny scientific theories. The use of this opening scene has led some to believe that Netflix wanted to portray China in a bad light.. Other spectators say they appreciated the more rhythmic and simple plot than previous versions, making the work more accessible to the general public.

Through its worldwide distribution, this version also helps draw worldwide attention to Liu Cixin and to Chinese literature in general. Netflix’s participation is seen as a mark of confidence in the genre. “Chinese science fiction is increasingly recognized, with concrete financial investments (…) This is a huge encouragement for the world of Chinese science fiction authors,” enthuses Li Dongdong of Geek Movie. “It’s a small step for (Liu Cixin), but it’s a big step for science fiction creation in China.”