Over the years, many Chinese drama adaptations have faced strong backlash for excessively altering the source material. From modernized classics like Dream of the Red Room to reworkings full of emotions Demigods and demidevilsand even Hollywood-style interpretations of The three-body problemthese adaptations often leave viewers outraged. Drastically changed plots, miscast roles, distorted imagery, and illogical narratives have led fans to call these dramas “disasters” even as production teams dub them “masterpieces.” Here are 10 infamous cases where Chinese dramas butchered original works to the dismay of both fans and the authors themselves.
1. Dream of the Red Chamber (2024)
The 2024 film version deviated so far from Cao Xueqin’s literary masterpiece that many called it unrecognizable. Director Hu Mei admitted he modernized the plot to appeal to younger viewers, but critics slammed the result as vulgar. Characters like Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu were dressed in old-fashioned, Taobao-style clothes. Actress Zhang Miaoyi, who played Lin Daiyu, was criticized for lacking elegance, with small eyes, crooked teeth and a stiff performance.
2. Mirror: A Twin Cities Story
Despite a high-profile cast, the drama disappointed. Viewers found the female protagonist unconvincing and her gaze lacking presence. The heavily edited plot moved slowly and tediously, earning a wave of 1-star reviews.
3. Demigods and Demidevils (2021)
The 2021 version, featuring Bai Shu and Zhang Tianyang, scored just 3.5 on Douban. He transformed the wuxia epic into a melodramatic love story. Critics pointed out the stiff acting, unappealing style, and excessive use of CGI and slow motion.
4. Fireworks of my heart
This drama drew ire for its ending, which deviated drastically from the original. Character arcs were suddenly flipped: like adoptive mother Fu Wen Ying changing her attitude overnight, or Meng Yan Chen abandoning military service to run a company. Fans found the ending abrupt and illogical.
5. The Three-Body Problem (Netflix version)
With a budget of $160 million, the Netflix adaptation still drew global criticism. Based on Liu Cixin’s science fiction masterpiece, the drama has been called “cheap”, full of crude and almost unrecognizable language. “How did a novel with such brilliant science fiction ideas become worse than a prime time soap opera?” one netizen complained.
6. The Princess Royal
The writers added unnecessary story arcs for the supporting character Su Rong Qing, making the female protagonist Li Rong seem silly. The emotional depth of the male protagonist was reduced, leaving the main plot feeling disjointed.
7. Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded
Adapted from Jin Yong’s classics, this drama failed to resonate. Changes, such as the romantic pairing of Huang Yaoshi with Mei Chaofeng, infuriated fans for betraying the original spirit.
8. Journey to the West: surprise
This bizarre adaptation featured a blond, curly-haired Monkey King with white skin, who fought with durians. Fans of Wu Cheng’en’s novel were shocked by the absurd character designs and action scenes.
9. The League of Gods (2016)
Despite its star-studded cast of Jet Li, Fan Bingbing and Angelababy, the film has been derided as a “boiler of chaos.” With strange character designs and absurd plot twists, it distorted classic roles like Nezha and Daji beyond recognition.
10. The Lost Tomb
This 12-episode version starring Li Yifeng and Tiffany Tang took great liberties. Wu Xie was no longer a tomb raider, but a patriotic young man who preserved relics. The original author also expressed shock at the changes.
These adaptations serve as cautionary tales, proving that when creative liberties go too far, even big budgets and star-studded casts can’t save a drama from fan outrage and poor reception.
Sources: K14
