This is so much fun. I know that most of the science in this drama heavily in favor of fiction, or in other words…
I don't know. As far as the three-body problem is concerned, it makes it hard scifi. The three-body issue is real, and most of the conditions and issues raised in this series (I don't know about the novels), were based on real theories and attempts to solve the three-body problem.
The only thing that is not real is Alpha Centauri. Alpha Cen is a very stable three-body system, it is actually more stable than the Earth-Moon-Sun three-body system. And of course, we've discovered more planets around Alpha Centauri since the novel was written (2008).
The idea of extra dimensions, those are not hogwash. The most accepted and common version of the String Theory requires 10 dimensions. While the M-theory needs 11 dimensions.
Currently, the most stable dimensions are spatial -- x,y,z (width, length, height, if you will). The fourth dimension is time (t). Recently, well not exactly 'recently' but mathematical equations only appeared 'recently', time apparently have three dimensions, too (tx, ty, tz).
If what we know about spacetime dimensions is incomplete, and it means spacetime is actually composed of 6 dimensions.
String theory needs 10. While M-theory needs 11. And those were based on a 4-dimension spacetime. If time indeed has 3 dimensions, then the String theory actually needs 12, while the M-theory needs 13 dimensions.
Now, in episode 28, the show posited that the two “protons” sent by the Trisolarian civilization could have been working in 10–13 dimensions.
From a three dimensial viewpoint, those two protons were simply, well, “protons”. However, there are other dimensions in it that is what's actually causing physics to fail. The “protons” were simply a carrier. When it reached Earth and started to interact locally, it became a bridge. Think of a human cell carrying viruses. Whatever 'virus' are inside those two protons, it started to replicate itself within the bounds of planet Earth. Hence, physics started to fail.
Also noticed, at least as far as the live-action adaptation is concerned, the two protons arrived two years prior to the current timeline. It was only more or less a year from the present timeline that scientists started to notice that physics is failing. The two years gap, that was when the two protons started to invade the Earth “ecosystem”, much like how viruses do inside our bodies (it usually takes 14 days before the disease shows up).
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Using our star as humongous radio antennae. Well, that, I agree, is totally fiction. At least, I am not aware of anything in that line of thought.
If that is real, then it means we are alone in the Milky Way Galaxy. LOL.
There is also the “Type-II Civilisation”. It's not new to this story. It's called the Kardashev scale, and planet Earth is not even a Type-I civilisation. Of course, it's hypothetical, but still, it isn't something invented by the author of Three-body.
As for humanity being able to move micro objects at the speed-of-light, I haven't heard or remember anything like that in reality. However, we've been moving micro objects, or particles, close to the speed of light for a few decades now. One such example is CERN.
So, the Trisolarian civilization sending two protons to Earth at the speed of light, or very, very, close to the speed of light, is real science, too. ^_^ The only question is, how did they calculate two two protons will arrive on Earth, because as the scientist in the show said, there are far too many variables to calculate between Alpha Cen and Sol System.
If we currently have a machine that can throw protons out to space, then we can do something what the Trisolarians did. Unfortunately, we can only move protons at that speed in circles … currently. Remember, the Trisolarians are far advanced. They probably figured out a way to make their own version of CERN into a canon or something.
The ultimate question: Did they live happily ever after, as a couple? Or, did they live happily ever after, as…
The ultimate question: Did they live happily ever after, as a couple? Or, did they live happily ever after, as friends?
Answer: it can go either way, 50-50.
Here's why.
As I mentioned in the previous weeks, this show is a story about love, relationships, break-ups, forgiveness, and moving on. This is not a fantasy romance where we would feel we are in heaven, and dream of Mr. Right and Ms. Perfect. No, none of that.
My first romantic relationship lasted for three (3) years. She was my first, and I was her first. We broke up, we talked, we closed things properly. But, guess what? We both failed to moved on.
In our case, she got married a few years later. It took us 11 more years to have a real closure. We failed to move on because we were not honest with ourselves, and we did not learn to forgive ourselves.
Before we can truly move on, we need to forgive the other party. But, we can not forgive other people if we do not forgive our own self first. To be able to forgive our own self, we need to face the reality and embrace it.
Yes, it is a process. It can take years, or it can take as short as a minute. It does not matter if you understand the process, there are people who can truly move on fast without being aware of the process.
Personally, I have proven that process to myself, when in late 2020, my 15-year relationship ended. When I learned to face reality, when I learned to embrace it. It was only then I was able to forgive myself.
It felt good. The heavy burden in my mind, and on my shoulders, were lifted. I was able to finally breathe. Then, I was able to forgive and thank her, even though I was only talking to the air.
It took me three (3) months, and I also had to put a deadline for myself. What do I mean? I told myself, “after this date, all is over, period”. After that date passed, I moved on. I started to smile.
Once we have truly moved on, that is only the time that healing begins. There is no healing if you can not smile. There is no healing if you can stomach hearing your ex's (or enemy's) name. You are not healing at all if you are still reacting emotionally when you see that other person's shadows, or hear them breath.
All these things are what “The Interest of Love” was telling us.
We all know that love and relationships are complicated, but do we truly understand it?
The 1FL was mostly pessimistic in the entire show. Rightly so, because there are people who are pessimistic. They do exist, and if you have not met at least one pessimistic person, you have not truly lived. The 1FL represents people who are pessimistic.
While the 1ML is a type of person who have a positive outlook in life, who was later crashed because of love. He was that type of person you have probably met once who never had time about love and relationships. But, when their heart was stolen by someone, they had no idea how to act and handle things.
Our pessimist 1FL eventually grew and started to have a positive outlook in life. All because of the 1ML.
At the same time, our 1ML, who had no idea about love and relationships, learned to listen and understand other people. All because of the 1FL.
Are you seeing how these two characters are helping each other grow? That is love and relationship. In episode 16, they even asked, “Were we really in love?” Because their relationship as two individuals was closer than they care to admit.
Let's take a detour.
There is also an important contrast between the 1ML and the 2ML. The 2ML acted badly when he heard the news that the 1FL slept with another man (note: there was no concrete proof if she did or not). The last word he told the 1FL was, “b**ch”.
However, what struck me was the 2ML also grew. Instead of sulking, or trying to find the 1FL and, maybe, force her back into a relationship after apologising, he decided to just call it.
Like what I mentioned earlier, the 2ML faced his reality and embraced it. He was not able to ask for forgiveness in person, but he knew he was forgiven because he learned to forgive himself.
He turned his bad experiences as a source of strength. He focused on his studies, and eventually achieved his dream to become a police officer.
Meanwhile, the 1ML was not giving up. He tried to find the 1FL, and he did, only to lose her again. And for the next four years, he tried to survive, hoping to see her one more time. (We are assuming he chose the branch himself.)
Another detour. The 2FL! Let's not forget her.
What type of character was she? She is that person who will do anything to get what they want. Not necessarily rich and wealthy people, mind you, there are ordinary people who get what they want just because. The 2FL represents those type of persons.
However, when it comes to love and relationships, it's either shallow or one-sided. First, she accepted the fact that the 1ML has eyes for the 1FL, but when he needed a shoulder to cry on, she freely offered herself. This is what we call “rebound relationship”.
For the 2FL, as long as she gets what she wanted, it is fine for her to be the rebound. The bad effect of this is that, the other person (the 1ML in this case) will never be fully into that relationship. They are either still thinking of the other person (the 1FL in this case), or they are only using the rebound relationship to heal (and once they healed, they will more likely leave).
The 1ML, who was growing because of the 1FL, realised this and broke up with her. Three years later, the 2FL returned to Korea, healed. In episode 16, she mentioned that she is fine talking about the 1ML because she (truly) moved on.
They even showed a scene how the 2FL saw the 1ML during the wedding, and it did not bother her. Was it because she found a new boyfriend? No, it wasn't about faithfulness and loyalty to her new boyfriend. In the first place, if she has not truly moved on, she would not be able to have a new boyfriend, that is not her character. Not to mention, she would not show up in the wedding knowing that they may cross paths.
The 2FL grew and learned what it means to love and have a relationship. Not just a romantic relationship, but also a relationship with her father.
Which brings us back to the 1FL and her relationship with her father. Like the 2FL, the 1FL also have a strained relationship with her father, although different, they are both not close to them.
See the contrast and 'relationships'?
And now, we are in episode 16. We have gone full circle when the 1ML and the 1FL started to talk about their “what-ifs”. This is a different kind of “what-ifs”.
Usually, “what-ifs” are regrets. However, in the case of the 1ML and 1FL, it was an intellectual discourse. Would things between them have ended up differently… if…?
There were no regrets when they looked back at their memories. Why? How? Simple. They learned to face and embrace their reality, and have forgiven themselves, and each other.
They moved on from the pain they caused each other. And they used those experiences to grow for the next four years of their lives.
Thus, when they met again, they were simply two ___healed___ individuals reminiscing their time together.
Think of it this way, tabula rasa. Clean slate.
They can choose to become a couple. Or, they can decide to remain as “special” friends.
I personally know married couples who broke up and later met again 4+ years later. They rekindled their love and relationship.
I, myself, went through the latter. Remember the first relationship I shared earlier, which took 11 years before we finally were able to moved on? Whenever our paths cross, after the true closure, there are no more lingering emotions and feelings between us. We can talk about the past normally, as in, just the past.
Some would probably say, “well, she's married and have children”. Sure, that's valid. However, even if she is still single, that part of our lives is long gone. We have reached the point wherein we will never cross our unwritten and undiscussed boundaries. We are just nothing but “special” friends.
I can see it in her eyes, and I am sure she can see it in my eyes, too. The past is the past. It's over between us, permanently. There is nothing to rekindle. We can reminisce, but that's it, nothing to rekindle. Our love for each other changed to something akin to brother and sister.
This is why the ending of “The Interest of Love” was like that.
Here are two individuals, whose lives were entwined when they were younger and innocent. Four years later, having learned from their experiences, and have forgiven themselves in the process, their paths crossed again.
They are representing two types of “couples”.
The first is: those couples who rekindled their love and gotten married later.
The second is: those couples, like me and my first, who will never have a romantic relationship ever again, but remain good friends.
It is up to the audience to decide which path the 1ML and the 2FL will choose. They can remain as friends, having grown and learned from each other. Or, they can rekindle their love and see where it goes this time around.
After all, they did ask and realised, “were we in love then?”
These are what the 1ML, 1FL, 2FL, and the 2ML, all learned in their lives: You are the sum of your experiences. Learn from it and become a better person. Never harbour hatred and bitterness, rather, listen and understand each other.
All of our relationships are important. Be it romantic, as friends, or with our families. In these personal relationships, let love encompassed it all.
In Spain we have the same "big family" structure. Here we are close to our uncles, aunts, cousins, grand-uncles,…
Yep, if you grew up in a similar culture and environment, it is very warming to watch shows from other countries with a similar family structure. You can feel and identify with the family dynamics. It also makes it easier to put ourselves in the character's shoes and be more immersed in the story.
Most would not understand it, and probably confusing, too. It doesn't matter if we're closed to each other or not, the whole experience gives us a very different perspective and different way of thinking. ^_^
Thank you for sharing! I guess that is why Spain and the Philippines never had much of an issue back in the colonial era, as compared to other countries back then. Our ideals and structures are similar. ^_^
I was trying to find more about the story and discovered that the author, Liu Cixin's novel has pro-authoritarian,…
While I understand where you are coming from, I'm not so sure boycotting a live-action adaptation would have any effect, or could get your message across.
You see, in live-action adaptations, the original authors (and actors for that matter) are usually paid already, so boycotting it, at least for the people involved, wouldn't matter much. (And this is why, in Korea, they cancel the actors, writers, original authors, and staff, to make sure they feel their 'boycott'. [aside: I am against the cancel culture.])
The one that will be affected is the network or production company because they're the ones who need to recoup their investment, in this case, Tencent. And, you are probably well-aware, networks in mainland China are the under control, or influence, of the government.
Then, there is the issue of the fact that one has to play 'safe' if you are a citizen of a country under an authoritarian government, absolute monarchy, dictatorship, and populist political landscape. I don't know where you live, but usually, people who grew up in Western countries don't understand what life is like for the rest of us. You have to be very careful of what you say. Even if your country is a democratic country, it typically doesn't mean anything. In Western countries, you can say whatever you want, in non-Western countries, even if they call themselves democratic, you can not say whatever you want.
Also, it's not like authors are the only ones with their own opinions. I am not sure what your stance is with Albert Einstein. Are you “okay” with him and using his contributions in Physics?
Because if we apply the same logic you have with authors, then, you should be speaking out against any use of Einstein's contributions to Physics. ;P
And, it's not just him. There are many great names, nobel prize awardees, authors, and whoever, in our history and current time, who have personal opinions on certain matters that most Western people, with that logic, should campaign against (and cancel/boycott), but they are not doing that. For some reason, they are being selective on who to boycott or cancel.
Then again, for non-Western countries, there have a lot of cases of popular names disappearing from news and the limelight just because they said something their respective governments did not like. Some are lucky because they are still alive, and when the public sees them again, you can clearly see they are either scared (for their families) or "reprogrammed". Again, does it happen in China and North Korea only? A big N-O. It happens in democratic countries, too. Non-Western democratic countries. If you live here in South-East Asia, you probably heard of the how some champions of democracy and free market silenced bloggers, vloggers, and even simple moderators and admins of groups (FB groups at that), just because they said something against their own government. There was even a campaign asking where those people are, but it was short-lived. It didn't get the attention of the media, heck, Western media didn't even bother reporting about the disappearances. (So much for the West being democracy-lovers.)
I am not defending China or anyone. It also does NOT mean I am endorsing any ideology, action, or whatever. I'm only offering a different vantage point. Do I not care (which I noticed is your usual rebuttal)? Of course I do care. But, for us who grew up in non-Western countries, where even if our countries are "democratic", we learned to pick our battles.
So, yeah, give these people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they are saying things that you don't agree with, because that's the only way the powers-that-be in their home country would let them live, no, let their families live.
What is scarier is, supporting people who secretly supports the things you do not like, and only gets revealed once they died, or their private diaries are finally revealed to the world. Like, again, Albert Einstein. There are even people defending Einstein, explaining how "that was how things were in their time". Well, if that is a valid reason, then "they have to be careful because it is 'dangerous' in their country" should also be valid. ^_~
Hey, again, if you want to boycott/cancel, that's your decision. I'm not saying you are wrong and I am right. I am also not defending anyone nor endorsing anything. And I do care. I'm just offering you a different perspective, nothing more and nothing less.
im a kdrama fan . i usually dont like chinese drama but this look different .scifi etc.do you recommend this to…
If you like sci-fi, you will love it, regardless if it was Korean, Chinese, Japanese, or Western. ;)
When it comes to sci-fi, CJK and Western, are well-known to produce quality stories and live-action productions. ^_^
Also, more about Three-Body, it is a Tencent live-action adaptation of a Chinese novel of the same name.
The novel is highly popular (though, I admit, I haven't heard of it), that Netflix will also release an American live-action adaptation of the novel later this 2023.
You're probably thinking, "maybe I should just wait for the Netflix adaptation". Sure, that's an option. However, you will still be missing a lot. Also, Netflix's adaptation may, or may not, receive negative reviews because they will be judged from the lenses of the Tencent adaptation.
For example, according to people who've read the novel, the Tencent adaptation is very close to the source material. North American adaptations, especially when it comes to Asian source materials, is usually only half-faithful to the original. Even adaptations of UK novels, they get negative reviews from it. Or, their own American novels!
So… yeah. I strongly suggest watching the Tencent adaptation and then watch the Netflix adaptation once it's out (rumoured to be late 2023).
I am a CJK and Western TV series fan, romance, comedy, fantasy, sci-fi. This show is definitely a must-watch.
Final words, I said this in the Fediverse network (incorrectly called 'Mastodon network'), every episode of the Tencent adaptation was like watching a movie. They approached each episode that way, instead of as a "TV episode". It is rare to see movie-quality episodes in any country (for one, it's expensive to produce).
---Let's talk about the 1ML.When the 1ML finally opened up to 2FL, and he cried? Some are probably asking, “why”.…
I agree, the 2FL have issues, and she whatever she wants, she makes sure she will have it (which she probably got from her father, who she doesn't want to associate much).
But, if we look at the 2FL on why she is what she is, she too came from experiences which shaped her. There is pain behind her desire to get what she wants, no matter what.
Unfortunately, they didn't give much clue other than her relationship with her father, and how she wants to be as far away from him as possible. Then the bomb that her cousin was asked by her father to force her first boyfriend to break up with her. Definitely something there which made her to be this way.
However, the 1ML learned to see beyond the surface of who she is. It was then he realised that despite the flaws in her, and miscalculations, there is “a wonderful person”. A person who only wants to live a good life, independently of her father. (Which, sadly, her overbearing father is everywhere around her.)
It was why, I think, the 2FL finally acknowledged that “this is it, it is over”. There is this guy she is heads-over-heels, who finally understood and saw the real her. The real person she is hiding behind multiple layers of masks.
Think of it as something like people who are loves to make people laugh, or is always smiling. More or less half of these people are actually hiding their depression, and a plethora of other problems. I, for one, are counted among them. I smile a lot. People mistake me to be a strong person. But, deep inside, I am deeply crying, and have problems I can not disclose nor share because it's only going to cause even more problems in the long run if someone else knows.
I think this is what the 1ML saw when he said the 2FL is “a wonderful person”. And this is why the 2FL kept quiet instead of her usual 'bratty' attitude. He was seeing through her layers of masks.
The 1FL is similar, in a sense. Though for her, instead of wearing masks, she's almost an open book. Having these two women in the 1ML's life made him see things through different lenses, or at least realised that he should take things slow. I mean, in episodes 1 and 2, he was forceful and fast himself when it came to the 1FL. He did not consider who the 1FL is and what she's going through, she was just another person.
Then, he also treated the 2FL similarly, as a fallback woman. And as he said himself, he fooled himself and her that his love will grow. But, of course, it did not because he only used her as a rebound love. His love for the 1FL has to go somewhere, and that's often how rebound relationships form.
Which is unfair for the 2FL, and yes, I agree, he realised he hurt someone deeply.
It wouldn't be surprising if the 2FL changes. And I think they dropped hints of that during the coin toss scene. Remember, the coin was in favour of “try my father's suggestion”? Instead, she said, “let's break up”.
While it can be interpreted that she gave up, I think there's more to it than that. I think she realised she doesn't deserve a person like him who was able to see through her layers of masks. The 1ML's speech was like a two-edged sword which struck her very soul.
I mean, she could've said the truth, and whatever her father said, it probably will force the 1ML to do it, get married after 1 year. But, she's a different person at that point. She let him go.
In the end, both the 1ML and the 2FL matured. I'm not perfect myself, and these type of characters gives us a good reminder.
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One more. Yes, I do agree that the “wonderful person” was probably just his way to soften the blow of their break-up. I'm not dismissing that possibility, especially since, I've been in his shoes: “How can you tell a lady you are not interested in them? Is this what they go through when guys won't stop?”
While I did not say “you're a wonderful person”, the things I said back then was something similar. Wait, isn't that what women also say? "You're a wonderful person, but I'm just not interested in you?" ^_^;;
Wow. That was a brilliant way to close everything and start anew. Well done 1FL.Even me, I did not catch she was…
Ahh, I missed that.
If that will be the ending, it's a good one, too. The 1ML and 2FL turned-out to be a good match in the end. Their first relationship was all because of the wrong things, but now that they've learned their lessons and matured, if they decide to be together again, things more likely will work for the better.
I guess, that's what the 2FL's father saw between them, at least based on the clue during the coin toss scene, their father gave them one year to decide. Maybe, if that will be the ending, they did eventually get married.
That's sweet, too. It will show that couples can grow and have a second chance of being together. (On the sidelines, the 2FL's father isn't all bad and overbearing, LOL.)
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You know, I wish they gave us more background on her father. He intervened with the 2FL's first boyfriend, but seems to be fine with the 1ML for some reason. I guess her father's boundary is relation with people who were imprisoned or had a case? I think that's reasonable, daughter or son, as a parent you of course wouldn't want to have any association with someone who had a case. Not that we are discriminating, but that is the natural response.
I love it. They addressed the less spoken issue of Korea's marriage tradition wherein a spouse's family registration is transferred to the other spouse's family.
For those who are not familiar, in Korea, it has been their tradition for centuries, for a spouse to transfer to their spouse's clan. Usually, to this day, it is the wife. Family registrations, as it is called today, or family trees, is a huge thing in Korea to this day. When you get married, typically the wife's family tree is moved to the husband's family tree. The wife stops being a member of her original family. And she is treated as a “daughter-in-law”, not as a full daughter, of her new “family tree”.
There is a centuries old issue with this practice, the in-law spouse, if she's unlucky, is treated less, as a slave, or as a helper. They are expected to serve their new “family tree”, because if they don't, it is a valid cause for divorce the new “family tree” can force on the married couple.
Unfortunately, this tradition of serving your new “family tree” lingers on, and many are afraid of speaking out against it, especially if the new “family tree” a spouse was adopted into are people in power or influential. As proven by the case in this episode.
There is nothing wrong with keeping “family trees”, or being adopted into your spouse's family tree/registration. Personally, I like that. However, the adopted spouse should be treated as an equal. If a wife was transferred to your family tree/registration, then she should be treated as a full daughter. You should not let your daughter-in-law do things you wouldn't ask of your own flesh-and-blood daughter.
The same way goes if the spouse who was adopted/transferred is the husband (which is not unheard of, and did happen centuries ago [at least, in this regard, Korea is more advanced socially]). Using this episode's case, if you wouldn't ask your children to be your driver and personal secretary, and treat them as slaves, then you shouldn't treat your adopted children's spouses like that.
A good way to end this social issue without killing the tradition of family registry/trees is to give the married couple an option to start their own family registration/tree, and be 100% independent.
Of course, in a culture where family registration/tree is integral, being independent, or starting your own registration/tree, would also mean you are disowning your original families. That will be the main argument of many. And if you do, if one day you need help, they wouldn't bother helping you.
But, is there any difference to it when a spouse is removed from their original family registration/tree and transferred to another? No one complained when their daughters stopped being a member of their own family registration/tree and moved to their husband's. The original family's “rights” are very limited, almost none, but they don't turn a blind eye when they require help (unless it's political, or forced by law).
If so, then there shouldn't be an issue if the married couple decides to start their own family registration/tree. People who will interpret it as “disowning their own family” are the problem, not the couple.
Think of it this way, instead of only one spouse (wife or husband) transferring to another family registration/tree, it is both of them. Does that make them “no longer your child/family”? No. And if one day they need help, you help. It is, after all, your responsibility as parents, regardless which family registry/tree they are under.
Our responsibilities as parents never stops. As this episode has shown, once our kids are married, the parents become passengers. Parents do not disappear because our responsibility to our children continues, it only changed in form, as a passenger. As a guide. As a support.
The ones at the front, holding the wheel and making decisions, are the married couple.
So, you see, the tradition can stay, but there is an option to become independent.
Lastly, if the married couple chose not to be independent, the in-law who whose family registration/tree was transferred to their spouse, should have a protection against being treated as anything but a full child.
Seriously. If your child married him/her, and you treat their spouse less than your own flesh-and-blood child, what does that make your child? In the first place, you approved their marriage. Haven't they realised by treating their children's spouses as a 'slave', they're practically saying that their own children are slaves, too? And you, as the parent, are a complete fool for having approved of their marriage?
Even in political marriages, be it centuries ago or this very day, you don't pick just anyone because the spouse of your children will also reflect on your children, and yourselves as the parents.
Let's be more liberal. Children getting married without the approval of their parents, which is the case in many countries today. It still will reflect on your children, and you as parents, whoever their spouse is. After all, you were the ones who shaped them to be who they are.
If they chose someone “undesirable”, it simply means you failed as a parent. In the first place, why did your child pick as a person? More likely than not, when they were growing up, their choice of “friends” were also undesirables. What did you do as a parent? Make excuses like “I'm too busy with work, it is all for you so you will have a better life than me?”
Watch this episode. It applies, not only to Koreans, but for all of us.
1 
I wouldn't hope much with Netflix. ;)
The only thing that is not real is Alpha Centauri. Alpha Cen is a very stable three-body system, it is actually more stable than the Earth-Moon-Sun three-body system. And of course, we've discovered more planets around Alpha Centauri since the novel was written (2008).
The idea of extra dimensions, those are not hogwash. The most accepted and common version of the String Theory requires 10 dimensions. While the M-theory needs 11 dimensions.
Currently, the most stable dimensions are spatial -- x,y,z (width, length, height, if you will). The fourth dimension is time (t). Recently, well not exactly 'recently' but mathematical equations only appeared 'recently', time apparently have three dimensions, too (tx, ty, tz).
If what we know about spacetime dimensions is incomplete, and it means spacetime is actually composed of 6 dimensions.
String theory needs 10. While M-theory needs 11. And those were based on a 4-dimension spacetime. If time indeed has 3 dimensions, then the String theory actually needs 12, while the M-theory needs 13 dimensions.
Now, in episode 28, the show posited that the two “protons” sent by the Trisolarian civilization could have been working in 10–13 dimensions.
From a three dimensial viewpoint, those two protons were simply, well, “protons”. However, there are other dimensions in it that is what's actually causing physics to fail. The “protons” were simply a carrier. When it reached Earth and started to interact locally, it became a bridge. Think of a human cell carrying viruses. Whatever 'virus' are inside those two protons, it started to replicate itself within the bounds of planet Earth. Hence, physics started to fail.
Also noticed, at least as far as the live-action adaptation is concerned, the two protons arrived two years prior to the current timeline. It was only more or less a year from the present timeline that scientists started to notice that physics is failing. The two years gap, that was when the two protons started to invade the Earth “ecosystem”, much like how viruses do inside our bodies (it usually takes 14 days before the disease shows up).
---
Using our star as humongous radio antennae. Well, that, I agree, is totally fiction. At least, I am not aware of anything in that line of thought.
If that is real, then it means we are alone in the Milky Way Galaxy. LOL.
There is also the “Type-II Civilisation”. It's not new to this story. It's called the Kardashev scale, and planet Earth is not even a Type-I civilisation. Of course, it's hypothetical, but still, it isn't something invented by the author of Three-body.
As for humanity being able to move micro objects at the speed-of-light, I haven't heard or remember anything like that in reality. However, we've been moving micro objects, or particles, close to the speed of light for a few decades now. One such example is CERN.
According to CERN, they can make trillions of protons move at 99.9999991% the speed of light. See: https://public-archive.web.cern.ch/en/lhc/Facts-en.html
So, the Trisolarian civilization sending two protons to Earth at the speed of light, or very, very, close to the speed of light, is real science, too. ^_^ The only question is, how did they calculate two two protons will arrive on Earth, because as the scientist in the show said, there are far too many variables to calculate between Alpha Cen and Sol System.
If we currently have a machine that can throw protons out to space, then we can do something what the Trisolarians did. Unfortunately, we can only move protons at that speed in circles … currently. Remember, the Trisolarians are far advanced. They probably figured out a way to make their own version of CERN into a canon or something.
^_^
HHAAHAHA. I totally did not expect that. HAHAHAHAHA. You definitely got me there. 100/10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check my review (or forum post), I explained it there. :)
Answer: it can go either way, 50-50.
Here's why.
As I mentioned in the previous weeks, this show is a story about love, relationships, break-ups, forgiveness, and moving on. This is not a fantasy romance where we would feel we are in heaven, and dream of Mr. Right and Ms. Perfect. No, none of that.
My first romantic relationship lasted for three (3) years. She was my first, and I was her first. We broke up, we talked, we closed things properly. But, guess what? We both failed to moved on.
In our case, she got married a few years later. It took us 11 more years to have a real closure. We failed to move on because we were not honest with ourselves, and we did not learn to forgive ourselves.
Before we can truly move on, we need to forgive the other party. But, we can not forgive other people if we do not forgive our own self first. To be able to forgive our own self, we need to face the reality and embrace it.
Yes, it is a process. It can take years, or it can take as short as a minute. It does not matter if you understand the process, there are people who can truly move on fast without being aware of the process.
Personally, I have proven that process to myself, when in late 2020, my 15-year relationship ended. When I learned to face reality, when I learned to embrace it. It was only then I was able to forgive myself.
It felt good. The heavy burden in my mind, and on my shoulders, were lifted. I was able to finally breathe. Then, I was able to forgive and thank her, even though I was only talking to the air.
It took me three (3) months, and I also had to put a deadline for myself. What do I mean? I told myself, “after this date, all is over, period”. After that date passed, I moved on. I started to smile.
Once we have truly moved on, that is only the time that healing begins. There is no healing if you can not smile. There is no healing if you can stomach hearing your ex's (or enemy's) name. You are not healing at all if you are still reacting emotionally when you see that other person's shadows, or hear them breath.
All these things are what “The Interest of Love” was telling us.
We all know that love and relationships are complicated, but do we truly understand it?
The 1FL was mostly pessimistic in the entire show. Rightly so, because there are people who are pessimistic. They do exist, and if you have not met at least one pessimistic person, you have not truly lived. The 1FL represents people who are pessimistic.
While the 1ML is a type of person who have a positive outlook in life, who was later crashed because of love. He was that type of person you have probably met once who never had time about love and relationships. But, when their heart was stolen by someone, they had no idea how to act and handle things.
Our pessimist 1FL eventually grew and started to have a positive outlook in life. All because of the 1ML.
At the same time, our 1ML, who had no idea about love and relationships, learned to listen and understand other people. All because of the 1FL.
Are you seeing how these two characters are helping each other grow? That is love and relationship. In episode 16, they even asked, “Were we really in love?” Because their relationship as two individuals was closer than they care to admit.
Let's take a detour.
There is also an important contrast between the 1ML and the 2ML. The 2ML acted badly when he heard the news that the 1FL slept with another man (note: there was no concrete proof if she did or not). The last word he told the 1FL was, “b**ch”.
However, what struck me was the 2ML also grew. Instead of sulking, or trying to find the 1FL and, maybe, force her back into a relationship after apologising, he decided to just call it.
Like what I mentioned earlier, the 2ML faced his reality and embraced it. He was not able to ask for forgiveness in person, but he knew he was forgiven because he learned to forgive himself.
He turned his bad experiences as a source of strength. He focused on his studies, and eventually achieved his dream to become a police officer.
Meanwhile, the 1ML was not giving up. He tried to find the 1FL, and he did, only to lose her again. And for the next four years, he tried to survive, hoping to see her one more time. (We are assuming he chose the branch himself.)
Another detour. The 2FL! Let's not forget her.
What type of character was she? She is that person who will do anything to get what they want. Not necessarily rich and wealthy people, mind you, there are ordinary people who get what they want just because. The 2FL represents those type of persons.
However, when it comes to love and relationships, it's either shallow or one-sided. First, she accepted the fact that the 1ML has eyes for the 1FL, but when he needed a shoulder to cry on, she freely offered herself. This is what we call “rebound relationship”.
For the 2FL, as long as she gets what she wanted, it is fine for her to be the rebound. The bad effect of this is that, the other person (the 1ML in this case) will never be fully into that relationship. They are either still thinking of the other person (the 1FL in this case), or they are only using the rebound relationship to heal (and once they healed, they will more likely leave).
The 1ML, who was growing because of the 1FL, realised this and broke up with her. Three years later, the 2FL returned to Korea, healed. In episode 16, she mentioned that she is fine talking about the 1ML because she (truly) moved on.
They even showed a scene how the 2FL saw the 1ML during the wedding, and it did not bother her. Was it because she found a new boyfriend? No, it wasn't about faithfulness and loyalty to her new boyfriend. In the first place, if she has not truly moved on, she would not be able to have a new boyfriend, that is not her character. Not to mention, she would not show up in the wedding knowing that they may cross paths.
The 2FL grew and learned what it means to love and have a relationship. Not just a romantic relationship, but also a relationship with her father.
Which brings us back to the 1FL and her relationship with her father. Like the 2FL, the 1FL also have a strained relationship with her father, although different, they are both not close to them.
See the contrast and 'relationships'?
And now, we are in episode 16. We have gone full circle when the 1ML and the 1FL started to talk about their “what-ifs”. This is a different kind of “what-ifs”.
Usually, “what-ifs” are regrets. However, in the case of the 1ML and 1FL, it was an intellectual discourse. Would things between them have ended up differently… if…?
There were no regrets when they looked back at their memories. Why? How? Simple. They learned to face and embrace their reality, and have forgiven themselves, and each other.
They moved on from the pain they caused each other. And they used those experiences to grow for the next four years of their lives.
Thus, when they met again, they were simply two ___healed___ individuals reminiscing their time together.
Think of it this way, tabula rasa. Clean slate.
They can choose to become a couple. Or, they can decide to remain as “special” friends.
I personally know married couples who broke up and later met again 4+ years later. They rekindled their love and relationship.
I, myself, went through the latter. Remember the first relationship I shared earlier, which took 11 years before we finally were able to moved on? Whenever our paths cross, after the true closure, there are no more lingering emotions and feelings between us. We can talk about the past normally, as in, just the past.
Some would probably say, “well, she's married and have children”. Sure, that's valid. However, even if she is still single, that part of our lives is long gone. We have reached the point wherein we will never cross our unwritten and undiscussed boundaries. We are just nothing but “special” friends.
I can see it in her eyes, and I am sure she can see it in my eyes, too. The past is the past. It's over between us, permanently. There is nothing to rekindle. We can reminisce, but that's it, nothing to rekindle. Our love for each other changed to something akin to brother and sister.
This is why the ending of “The Interest of Love” was like that.
Here are two individuals, whose lives were entwined when they were younger and innocent. Four years later, having learned from their experiences, and have forgiven themselves in the process, their paths crossed again.
They are representing two types of “couples”.
The first is: those couples who rekindled their love and gotten married later.
The second is: those couples, like me and my first, who will never have a romantic relationship ever again, but remain good friends.
It is up to the audience to decide which path the 1ML and the 2FL will choose. They can remain as friends, having grown and learned from each other. Or, they can rekindle their love and see where it goes this time around.
After all, they did ask and realised, “were we in love then?”
These are what the 1ML, 1FL, 2FL, and the 2ML, all learned in their lives:
You are the sum of your experiences. Learn from it and become a better person. Never harbour hatred and bitterness, rather, listen and understand each other.
All of our relationships are important. Be it romantic, as friends, or with our families. In these personal relationships, let love encompassed it all.
Most would not understand it, and probably confusing, too. It doesn't matter if we're closed to each other or not, the whole experience gives us a very different perspective and different way of thinking. ^_^
Thank you for sharing! I guess that is why Spain and the Philippines never had much of an issue back in the colonial era, as compared to other countries back then. Our ideals and structures are similar. ^_^
You see, in live-action adaptations, the original authors (and actors for that matter) are usually paid already, so boycotting it, at least for the people involved, wouldn't matter much. (And this is why, in Korea, they cancel the actors, writers, original authors, and staff, to make sure they feel their 'boycott'. [aside: I am against the cancel culture.])
The one that will be affected is the network or production company because they're the ones who need to recoup their investment, in this case, Tencent. And, you are probably well-aware, networks in mainland China are the under control, or influence, of the government.
Then, there is the issue of the fact that one has to play 'safe' if you are a citizen of a country under an authoritarian government, absolute monarchy, dictatorship, and populist political landscape. I don't know where you live, but usually, people who grew up in Western countries don't understand what life is like for the rest of us. You have to be very careful of what you say. Even if your country is a democratic country, it typically doesn't mean anything. In Western countries, you can say whatever you want, in non-Western countries, even if they call themselves democratic, you can not say whatever you want.
Also, it's not like authors are the only ones with their own opinions. I am not sure what your stance is with Albert Einstein. Are you “okay” with him and using his contributions in Physics?
Because if we apply the same logic you have with authors, then, you should be speaking out against any use of Einstein's contributions to Physics. ;P
And, it's not just him. There are many great names, nobel prize awardees, authors, and whoever, in our history and current time, who have personal opinions on certain matters that most Western people, with that logic, should campaign against (and cancel/boycott), but they are not doing that. For some reason, they are being selective on who to boycott or cancel.
Then again, for non-Western countries, there have a lot of cases of popular names disappearing from news and the limelight just because they said something their respective governments did not like. Some are lucky because they are still alive, and when the public sees them again, you can clearly see they are either scared (for their families) or "reprogrammed". Again, does it happen in China and North Korea only? A big N-O. It happens in democratic countries, too. Non-Western democratic countries. If you live here in South-East Asia, you probably heard of the how some champions of democracy and free market silenced bloggers, vloggers, and even simple moderators and admins of groups (FB groups at that), just because they said something against their own government. There was even a campaign asking where those people are, but it was short-lived. It didn't get the attention of the media, heck, Western media didn't even bother reporting about the disappearances. (So much for the West being democracy-lovers.)
I am not defending China or anyone. It also does NOT mean I am endorsing any ideology, action, or whatever. I'm only offering a different vantage point. Do I not care (which I noticed is your usual rebuttal)? Of course I do care. But, for us who grew up in non-Western countries, where even if our countries are "democratic", we learned to pick our battles.
So, yeah, give these people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they are saying things that you don't agree with, because that's the only way the powers-that-be in their home country would let them live, no, let their families live.
What is scarier is, supporting people who secretly supports the things you do not like, and only gets revealed once they died, or their private diaries are finally revealed to the world. Like, again, Albert Einstein. There are even people defending Einstein, explaining how "that was how things were in their time". Well, if that is a valid reason, then "they have to be careful because it is 'dangerous' in their country" should also be valid. ^_~
Hey, again, if you want to boycott/cancel, that's your decision. I'm not saying you are wrong and I am right. I am also not defending anyone nor endorsing anything. And I do care. I'm just offering you a different perspective, nothing more and nothing less.
Have a great day. ^_^
When it comes to sci-fi, CJK and Western, are well-known to produce quality stories and live-action productions. ^_^
Also, more about Three-Body, it is a Tencent live-action adaptation of a Chinese novel of the same name.
The novel is highly popular (though, I admit, I haven't heard of it), that Netflix will also release an American live-action adaptation of the novel later this 2023.
You're probably thinking, "maybe I should just wait for the Netflix adaptation". Sure, that's an option. However, you will still be missing a lot. Also, Netflix's adaptation may, or may not, receive negative reviews because they will be judged from the lenses of the Tencent adaptation.
For example, according to people who've read the novel, the Tencent adaptation is very close to the source material. North American adaptations, especially when it comes to Asian source materials, is usually only half-faithful to the original. Even adaptations of UK novels, they get negative reviews from it. Or, their own American novels!
So… yeah. I strongly suggest watching the Tencent adaptation and then watch the Netflix adaptation once it's out (rumoured to be late 2023).
I am a CJK and Western TV series fan, romance, comedy, fantasy, sci-fi. This show is definitely a must-watch.
Final words, I said this in the Fediverse network (incorrectly called 'Mastodon network'), every episode of the Tencent adaptation was like watching a movie. They approached each episode that way, instead of as a "TV episode". It is rare to see movie-quality episodes in any country (for one, it's expensive to produce).
But, if we look at the 2FL on why she is what she is, she too came from experiences which shaped her. There is pain behind her desire to get what she wants, no matter what.
Unfortunately, they didn't give much clue other than her relationship with her father, and how she wants to be as far away from him as possible. Then the bomb that her cousin was asked by her father to force her first boyfriend to break up with her. Definitely something there which made her to be this way.
However, the 1ML learned to see beyond the surface of who she is. It was then he realised that despite the flaws in her, and miscalculations, there is “a wonderful person”. A person who only wants to live a good life, independently of her father. (Which, sadly, her overbearing father is everywhere around her.)
It was why, I think, the 2FL finally acknowledged that “this is it, it is over”. There is this guy she is heads-over-heels, who finally understood and saw the real her. The real person she is hiding behind multiple layers of masks.
Think of it as something like people who are loves to make people laugh, or is always smiling. More or less half of these people are actually hiding their depression, and a plethora of other problems. I, for one, are counted among them. I smile a lot. People mistake me to be a strong person. But, deep inside, I am deeply crying, and have problems I can not disclose nor share because it's only going to cause even more problems in the long run if someone else knows.
I think this is what the 1ML saw when he said the 2FL is “a wonderful person”. And this is why the 2FL kept quiet instead of her usual 'bratty' attitude. He was seeing through her layers of masks.
The 1FL is similar, in a sense. Though for her, instead of wearing masks, she's almost an open book. Having these two women in the 1ML's life made him see things through different lenses, or at least realised that he should take things slow. I mean, in episodes 1 and 2, he was forceful and fast himself when it came to the 1FL. He did not consider who the 1FL is and what she's going through, she was just another person.
Then, he also treated the 2FL similarly, as a fallback woman. And as he said himself, he fooled himself and her that his love will grow. But, of course, it did not because he only used her as a rebound love. His love for the 1FL has to go somewhere, and that's often how rebound relationships form.
Which is unfair for the 2FL, and yes, I agree, he realised he hurt someone deeply.
It wouldn't be surprising if the 2FL changes. And I think they dropped hints of that during the coin toss scene. Remember, the coin was in favour of “try my father's suggestion”? Instead, she said, “let's break up”.
While it can be interpreted that she gave up, I think there's more to it than that. I think she realised she doesn't deserve a person like him who was able to see through her layers of masks. The 1ML's speech was like a two-edged sword which struck her very soul.
I mean, she could've said the truth, and whatever her father said, it probably will force the 1ML to do it, get married after 1 year. But, she's a different person at that point. She let him go.
In the end, both the 1ML and the 2FL matured. I'm not perfect myself, and these type of characters gives us a good reminder.
---
One more. Yes, I do agree that the “wonderful person” was probably just his way to soften the blow of their break-up. I'm not dismissing that possibility, especially since, I've been in his shoes: “How can you tell a lady you are not interested in them? Is this what they go through when guys won't stop?”
While I did not say “you're a wonderful person”, the things I said back then was something similar. Wait, isn't that what women also say? "You're a wonderful person, but I'm just not interested in you?" ^_^;;
If that will be the ending, it's a good one, too. The 1ML and 2FL turned-out to be a good match in the end. Their first relationship was all because of the wrong things, but now that they've learned their lessons and matured, if they decide to be together again, things more likely will work for the better.
I guess, that's what the 2FL's father saw between them, at least based on the clue during the coin toss scene, their father gave them one year to decide. Maybe, if that will be the ending, they did eventually get married.
That's sweet, too. It will show that couples can grow and have a second chance of being together. (On the sidelines, the 2FL's father isn't all bad and overbearing, LOL.)
---
You know, I wish they gave us more background on her father. He intervened with the 2FL's first boyfriend, but seems to be fine with the 1ML for some reason. I guess her father's boundary is relation with people who were imprisoned or had a case? I think that's reasonable, daughter or son, as a parent you of course wouldn't want to have any association with someone who had a case. Not that we are discriminating, but that is the natural response.
For those who are not familiar, in Korea, it has been their tradition for centuries, for a spouse to transfer to their spouse's clan. Usually, to this day, it is the wife. Family registrations, as it is called today, or family trees, is a huge thing in Korea to this day. When you get married, typically the wife's family tree is moved to the husband's family tree. The wife stops being a member of her original family. And she is treated as a “daughter-in-law”, not as a full daughter, of her new “family tree”.
There is a centuries old issue with this practice, the in-law spouse, if she's unlucky, is treated less, as a slave, or as a helper. They are expected to serve their new “family tree”, because if they don't, it is a valid cause for divorce the new “family tree” can force on the married couple.
Unfortunately, this tradition of serving your new “family tree” lingers on, and many are afraid of speaking out against it, especially if the new “family tree” a spouse was adopted into are people in power or influential. As proven by the case in this episode.
There is nothing wrong with keeping “family trees”, or being adopted into your spouse's family tree/registration. Personally, I like that. However, the adopted spouse should be treated as an equal. If a wife was transferred to your family tree/registration, then she should be treated as a full daughter. You should not let your daughter-in-law do things you wouldn't ask of your own flesh-and-blood daughter.
The same way goes if the spouse who was adopted/transferred is the husband (which is not unheard of, and did happen centuries ago [at least, in this regard, Korea is more advanced socially]). Using this episode's case, if you wouldn't ask your children to be your driver and personal secretary, and treat them as slaves, then you shouldn't treat your adopted children's spouses like that.
A good way to end this social issue without killing the tradition of family registry/trees is to give the married couple an option to start their own family registration/tree, and be 100% independent.
Of course, in a culture where family registration/tree is integral, being independent, or starting your own registration/tree, would also mean you are disowning your original families. That will be the main argument of many. And if you do, if one day you need help, they wouldn't bother helping you.
But, is there any difference to it when a spouse is removed from their original family registration/tree and transferred to another? No one complained when their daughters stopped being a member of their own family registration/tree and moved to their husband's. The original family's “rights” are very limited, almost none, but they don't turn a blind eye when they require help (unless it's political, or forced by law).
If so, then there shouldn't be an issue if the married couple decides to start their own family registration/tree. People who will interpret it as “disowning their own family” are the problem, not the couple.
Think of it this way, instead of only one spouse (wife or husband) transferring to another family registration/tree, it is both of them. Does that make them “no longer your child/family”? No. And if one day they need help, you help. It is, after all, your responsibility as parents, regardless which family registry/tree they are under.
Our responsibilities as parents never stops. As this episode has shown, once our kids are married, the parents become passengers. Parents do not disappear because our responsibility to our children continues, it only changed in form, as a passenger. As a guide. As a support.
The ones at the front, holding the wheel and making decisions, are the married couple.
So, you see, the tradition can stay, but there is an option to become independent.
Lastly, if the married couple chose not to be independent, the in-law who whose family registration/tree was transferred to their spouse, should have a protection against being treated as anything but a full child.
Seriously. If your child married him/her, and you treat their spouse less than your own flesh-and-blood child, what does that make your child? In the first place, you approved their marriage. Haven't they realised by treating their children's spouses as a 'slave', they're practically saying that their own children are slaves, too? And you, as the parent, are a complete fool for having approved of their marriage?
Even in political marriages, be it centuries ago or this very day, you don't pick just anyone because the spouse of your children will also reflect on your children, and yourselves as the parents.
Let's be more liberal. Children getting married without the approval of their parents, which is the case in many countries today. It still will reflect on your children, and you as parents, whoever their spouse is. After all, you were the ones who shaped them to be who they are.
If they chose someone “undesirable”, it simply means you failed as a parent. In the first place, why did your child pick as a person? More likely than not, when they were growing up, their choice of “friends” were also undesirables. What did you do as a parent? Make excuses like “I'm too busy with work, it is all for you so you will have a better life than me?”
Watch this episode. It applies, not only to Koreans, but for all of us.