"The Three-Body Problem," an epic novel by sci-fi author Liu Cixin, is attracting a huge number of readers worldwide. This year, a local adaptation of the Hugo Award-winning work has been released both in China and abroad, making a big splash with domestic as well as foreign audiences. We take a look at how the TV production translates sci-fi fantasy into a visual feast, winning international acclaim. 

Honoring the novel while also introducing innovative visuals, the TV series has already won much acclaim from international audiences. On the TV and movie review website IMDB.com, episodes have consistently been rated above 9.0 out of 10, with some reaching scores as high as 9.9. Relying on Tencent Video's overseas distribution network, the TV series has reached Asia, America, Europe, Oceania and other regions, sparking a global fever for this hit production. 

Tencent video producer of "Three-Body Problem" Wang Hanxian remarked,  

"I've noticed that many overseas viewers have praised and appreciated what we've done. Not only did they think the production was excellent, and that we have done a great job in depicting the essence of the original story, but perhaps more importantly, they found it hard to believe that the Chinese film industry has advanced to such an extent,” said Tencent video producer Wang Hanxian. 

“So we think the international distribution of this film is already a success, and we feel very encouraged by it.” 

The TV series tells the story of humanity's first contact with an alien civilization. Liu Cixin also spoke highly of the adaptation. 

"I feel it is very faithful to the book and very precise in translating the content,” he said. “The images it shows are very much in line with the imagination of the author – me - and the readers. Of particular note is the excellent work done by the actors and their portrayal of the characters in a way that fits with how we imagine them." 

"Three-Body Problem" has been seven years in the making, with the script undergoing multiple revisions. The TV production team strived for excellence in every detail to present an epic science fiction drama with an Oriental aesthetic. The series was filmed in Ningbo, Hengdian, Beijing and Heihe, and more than 270 large-scale sets were created. 

The creative team talked to experts to make sure they understood all the scientific aspects behind the novel and then looked at how it could be filmed. 

"The book is categorized as hard science fiction, which is more grounded in reality with the science and the fantasy of the technology. We interviewed a lot of scientists, about 60 in total, and based on that, we decided how we were going to present it,”said director Yang Lei.