In our interview with Zine Tseng and Jess Hong, actors of Netflix’s 3-Body Problem series, we asked them what they were wondering about the series.
of Netflix 3 Body Problem went on the air. We also had the chance to interview six actors of the series at a press conference. First in line are Zine Tseng (Ye Wenjie’s younger self) and Jess Hong (Jin Cheng). We also recommend you to take a look at our 3-Body Problem First Look article.
Netflix 3 Body Problem Actors Zine Tseng and Jess Hong
– How difficult was it to learn the whole story? Because there are also subjects that require a lot of technical knowledge.
We had to do some research. We are lucky that there was a lot of support. Physicist Dr Matt Kenzie (University of Cambridge) helped us understand. Even though we sometimes had very stupid questions, he gave us a lot of support in understanding the subject. But the most important thing is that Dan (David Benioff) and Alex (Alexander Woo) can create extremely complex characters. They were very helpful in understanding the whole story. All we had to do was concentrate on the texts. As actors, it was also our job to reflect the scientist’s emotions, fears and feelings.
Netflix 3 Body Problem Cast Jess Hong
– When you look at the source of the story, did you encounter any pressure from the fans of the series to reflect it correctly?
We did not face any pressure because we had read the books before and understood them correctly. In terms of the books, the entire story was accurately reflected thanks to Dav and Alex’s unique writing skills. For this reason, I hope it will meet the expectations of those who know the story before. I don’t see this as a competition. Many adaptations of the story have been made to date. We are proud of the content we produce. We’re happy people are talking about it.
– When you started out with the producers of a series that had a profound impact on television, like Game of Thrones, did you ever feel like you would be in its shadow?
I think we are already in its shadow right now. However, this is a different production and different characters. The characters in the series are the greatest minds in our universe. They need to take all the burden of the developing events and produce solutions. All I had to do was focus on my character and reflect it correctly.
Netflix 3 Object Problem Cast Zine Tseng
– The series takes place in many different locations and times. Did you have an image in your mind of what it would be like during the shooting? Or did a different image emerge when all the processes were completed and you watched the version that was going to be released?
“I can’t wait for season two,” I wrote to Dan and Alex right after watching the first season. Of course you are right. During the Covid period, great importance was given to entering and exiting the set. For this reason, I thought there might be a different result than I expected. But Dan and Alex envisioned the story so well and were so patient that it turned out exactly as I expected.
– There’s so much going on in the show. There’s science, mystery and fun. How would you categorize the show?
Everything you mentioned. It is not possible to evaluate it in a single class. We are experiencing. It’s not traditional storytelling. Maybe we can be closer to the mystery and science-fiction category. However, the broader philosophy of the story includes the war of the worlds. But the micro story is entirely focused on people with beautiful relationships. The eight episodes of the first season are just the beginning.
For Zine Tseng: How did the story affect you and how did you decide to be a part of it?
I didn’t decide to be a part of it. I tried my luck to become one. I knew beforehand that Netlifx would make this adaptation. I knew that I was very close to the young character (Ye Wenjie’s youth). Because he was so strong. The whole story threatens his life. But somehow he survives. It shows that you are a great survivor to me. The ability to escape occurs only in strong personalities. Something cultivated within him supports his survival. If I were in his situation, I’d probably be dead by now.
Would you describe yourself as an actor? Have you had the chance to play with VR devices before?
Jess: For me, the closest I came to a virtual world game was a car race. This is how I got my driver’s license.
zine: I played a VR game in London where you were in a pod. It reflected all five senses at once.