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PaperclipPerfector  2d ago (text post)   1846 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 25, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

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I am vaguely aware of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but haven't ever read the source material or a good translation.

Anyone have any suggestions? As I've declaimed and disclamed before, my Chinese is limited to nihao-ing at some fine ABGs. A solid translation, or visual media would be fine. Subs or dubs, don't care. It just has to be faithful to the source

The recent Chinese TV series from 2010 used to be available on Youtube with subtitles - it looks like it isn't for me anymore, but it may in your region. Needless to say, it's comically long but has entertainingly cheesy and mid-budget acting, and that gets the 'vibe' across well even if it's not the most artistically accomplished.

Thanks! It doesn't seem to be available here either, though the 1994 series is. Is that any good or should I go hunting?

The 1994 version, from what I hear, is the most faithful to the original novel, but suffers occasionally from pacing issues.

(I haven’t seen any of the TV series as I read it in text)

The 2010 version is receiving mockery and dismissal on Chinese social media constantly. One of the biggest meme generators actually. I think the show itself is ok, if you treat it as a story on its own unrelated to the actual history and the novel.

The 1994 version is fantastic, a perfect balance between the director’s own interpretation and the material it based itself on. Music is great, casting is legendary, but it’s filmed three decades ago.

Out of curiosity what did they do to the story to make the 2010 show such a meme?

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