Sorry Netflix, but the Perfect 3 Body Problem Show Was Already Made in 2023

Even though Netflix 's adaptation of 3 Body Problem was an obvious success, not all viewers are convinced that the show will be the next big thing.

While the original trilogy of novels is considered a sci-fi classic, the complex world it describes would require a lot of attention from viewers, and that's not something everyone is willing to commit to.

However, if you were hooked by the ideas imagined by Liu Cixin and translated to the screen by Netflix, you might enjoy another, more in-depth version of the series.

Is 3 Body Problem C-Drama Worth Watching?

Going back to Liu Cixin's original novel, The Three-Body Problem, Netflix's adaptation wasn't the first to tackle the story.

Though critics were quick to praise showrunners David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo for bravely tackling the supposedly “unadaptable” novel, the original Chinese adaptation seems to be slipping through the cracks of mass audience attention.

This is unfair, considering the general rise of the C-drama genre and the fact that the Chinese version of Three-Body Problem was released just over a year ago, in January 2023. Those dedicated Three-Body fans who prefer adaptations to stay as close to the source material as possible have already checked out the 2023 show and given it their approval.

One of the biggest differences is the number of episodes each show has. The streaming model of 8-10 episodes is good because it allows the storytellers to focus on the most important parts, but the 30 episodes in the Chinese Three-Body Problem version help the viewer immerse themselves and explore the complex universe on their own terms.

Three-Body is currently rated 7.6/10 according to IMDb, and 9.3/10 according to the streaming service Viki. All in all, the show is recommended to check out for the avid fans of the franchise.

Neither series allows itself to stray too far from the canon, which is much appreciated, since in the world of the Three-Body Universe, even the slightest deviation could have led to various plot holes. So don't worry, if you only watch the Netflix version, you won't lose any important details.

However, if you enjoyed the sci-fi setting enough to explore it further, give the C-drama version of Three-Body Problem a chance. You can stream it on Amazon Prime Video or Viki.