Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu (LN) Episode 1-3

Yay ! Shan Shan has come ! I’ll write a brief review of my impression on the first 3 episodes which I was fortunate to watch live on tv. However, I notice that some scenes have been cut compared to the version uploaded on youtube. If you cannot wait like me and want to watch it live, you can try this  or thisthen click on Jiangsu TV ( 江苏卫视) which is in the middle of the second row. It is on at 7.30pm until 10.00pm China time zone. But I better warn you that the streaming is slow and it is difficult to load when the drama is broadcasting because too many people are accessing it. Hence it is better that you wait for a while until they are uploaded in which has the full version. If you cannot wait, then go to Chinese’s  or the western’s  which have the same live version? Click here for lidge’s !

In a nutsh.e.l.l, I am giving it my seal of approval. Remember, where in the novel, I stolel that line from LOL? The drama is cute, funny, fluffy and sweet. I feel the adaptation has done the book justice and certain scenes are even more funny than purely reading the book. Some changes are needed to make the drama more entertaining and differentiate itself from the novel. Hence, I recommend you to watch it even if you can’t understand Mandarin. It follows the book fairly closely with some additions but by using our as the basis, you should be able to guess most of the plot. In view that the drama turned out to be much better than I antic.i.p.ated, I may do live blogging so check back often.

Are you watching it? Are you enjoying it as much as us? Thanks to bongsd for helping me with the screen capture as I had a hard time doing it since it is my first time.

Like the , the drama started with Shan Shan being called upon to stand-by to donate . Why they didn’t show her donating the blood reluctantly? One of my where she lamented while looking at the moon, the inhumanity of capitalist is not shown. I hope it’ll be added in the later part of the drama. An extra bit is Shan Shan giving a medical ID tag  to Yan Qing for Feng Yue which left an impression on Feng Teng while he a.n.a.lyses it. By the way, did anyone hear Feng Teng mis-p.r.o.nouncing RH as HR?

Then we’ve the office scene. Wow, it is very modern and impressive highlighting Feng Group’s wealth and prestige. Who wouldn’t want to work there??? You can also see the company is a devoted Apple fan when they are everywhere even the blind can see, haha…  I wonder if it is a product placement.

We get to see Shan Shan’s parents working hard at tailoring clothes early in the drama compared to the novel. Indeed they look very ordinary. Then the country b.u.mpkin Shan Shan gives grandpa a hug and gets sent off in a big fanfare by the whole village. Liu Liu, the cousin adopted by her elder aunt  looks on enviously also makes an early appearance in the drama. Later, she will go to Shanghai and stays with Shan Shan. Much later, her pompous boyfriend will come and drive her away. OMG, he is ugly but has the nerve to ignore Shan Shan, lol.  The annoying elder aunt will also show up a few mins later when Shan Shan is talking to her mum on the phone.

Another character making an early appearance is Shan Shan’s best friend Lu Shuang Yi.  In the drama, she is staying with Shan Shan and is complaining why Shan Shan is always sleeping. In turn, Shan Shan complains that her apartment looks like a pig sty. That reminds me of lidge’s room, lol.

Why does Zheng Qi has to choose a basketball court near where Shan Shan’s lives? Was it mentioned why Feng Teng doesn’t want people to know he plays basketball there? I didn’t pay attention because lidge was pestering me for live drama link as she is jealous that I can watch it faster than her, heehee….Okay, I found out that because he is not dressed up so he doesn’t want people to recognise him. Feng Teng, you are so vain, worse than a girl:P

Shan Shan is having a crush on Zheng Qi, the second male lead who is an additional character. Actually he is sort of like senior a.s.sistant Fang in the novel but with an expanded role. So far, I do like him and even contemplate s.h.i.+pping him and Shan Shan because they are so cute together compared to that sulky Feng Teng. My my, he is such a ladies’ man and it is good to have him in the drama to give Feng Teng a run for his money. He is popularly known as Qi Shuai because he is so handsome, lol.

Due to her perceived close relations.h.i.+p with Zheng Qi, poor Shan Shan is pushed by the colleagues and supervisor to go and find him to notify him of the extra 0 in the agreement.  Hence, she has to get the access pa.s.ses from her other colleagues in order to go all the way up but ends up meeting Feng Teng instead.  Luckily, Feng Teng is a smartie to have noticed the error already, beside being a sulkie, so all is well:) I don’t understand why Shan Shan needs to take the blame and apologise when she has been helping to do the agreement only. She is still a newbie in the firm. Zheng Qi comforts her that she’ll not be fired.

It is so clever of them to include some adorable cartoons every now and then in the drama. They made the drama so cartoonish and animated. Haha, Feng Teng with his trademark, red coat and Shan Shan with her hair bun. Sob sob, Shan Shan found out that she was hired not because of merit but her blood type. She feels very dejected like she is selling blood:(

When she is feeling sad on the top floor balcony, it is snowing and Feng Teng with a sour face sweetly wraps a coat around her. She is touched before Feng Teng complains that she is not supposed to go there which is reserved only for the boss, spoilsport. She questions him why she was hired but he brushes her off by saying don’t ask me, ask your supervisor. Later, Feng Teng confirms with Zheng Qi that she was really hired because of her blood type. “She is nothing but blood to us.” Oh Feng Teng, how can you be so cold? Shuang Yi and Liu Liu console her that she should be grateful for her special blood and did not get the job through nepotism. If she works hard, she’ll also succeed.

In episode 2, Shan Shan starts to get her causing many gossips among her colleagues. They try to suck up to her thinking that she must have some special relations.h.i.+p with the management of the company. Oh, I am taking such a long time to write my brief review so I am going to fast forward to my favourite part. Both of them having lunch together yet she doesn’t know he is there. Separated by a thin one-way gla.s.s window, so near, yet so far, so sweet:) For once, we see the serious Feng Teng smiles nicely.

The fun part in episode 3 is the conversation between Zheng Qi and Shan Shan while Feng Teng is eavesdropping outside. Zheng Qi tells her not to tell anyone that he plays basketball with Feng Teng at the court near her house. Innocent her thinks that is because Feng Teng is afraid someone will kidnap him. From there, Feng Teng gets an insight into how simple-minded and naive Shan Shan is.

The highlight in this episode is the baby full month banquet which is one of my favorite and is pretty similar to the. Shan Shan thought that she’ll be going to the banquet with Zheng Qi but……..

Shan Shan thinks: Oh, who can tell me, why is Big Boss sitting behind ……Zheng Qi, it is fine that you don’t like me but you don’t need to prank me.

Zheng Qi: Aren’t you cold? Get into the car.

Shan Shan: Big Boss, how are you?

Flashback:

Feng Teng: I’ve read through your proposal and I want to discuss further with you.

Zheng Qi: Now? I am on my way to pick up Shan Shan.

Feng Teng: I am going to arrive at your doorstep. Well, I might as well give both of you a lift.

Zheng Qi: Okay.

End of flashback.

Feng Teng: What is this?

Shan Shan: This is a present for the baby.

Zheng Qi: Shan Shan, you chose the present personally?

Shan Shan: Yes.

Zheng Qi: Let me see.

Shan Shan: Look!

Zheng Qi: Little ducklings, such a special present.  Little kid will definitely like it.

Shan Shan:  Really? I also think these are especially cute.

Feng Teng:  These are merely ducklings, what is so special? Feng Teng pays you a low salary?

Shan Shan thinks: Could it be that Boss think my present is too cheap?

Shan Shan: Boss, although these toy ducks look ordinary, in fact……..

Shan Shan thinks: In fact these ducklings can sing and swim. Most importantly, the toy ducks have brand name! Brand name, do you understand? Very expensive!  Even more expensive than ducks that can be eaten!

Feng Teng: In fact what?

Shan Shan: In fact …… these toy ducks are ordinary.

Zheng Qi: Apparently the ducklings can also sing.

Shan Shan: Yes ah, I even gave them a name – Duckling Choir.

Zheng Qi:  When they sing, they’ll sound awful, just like quacking.

Shan Shan: What do you mean?

Feng Teng:  What do you mean? Means sound awful.

Zheng Qi: Shan Shan, let me introduce Miss. Feng to you.

Shan Shan: Okay.

Haha, this part is really fun when Feng Teng complains about her thoughtful and expensive gift, the duckling starts singing to give him a shock, ROTF. The gift is so nice and adorable, even the paper bag is nice.

Shan Shan looks very sweet and radiant holding her ducklings and chatting with Feng Yue like in the . I’ve to give Zhao Li Ying high distinction for being able to portray Shan Shan so well, near perfection just like the character in the book. Each and everyone of her expressions are so spot on and appropriate. She also looks very pretty for the banquet.

Feng Yue: Miss Xue, do you like the food?

Shan Shan: Huh?

Feng Yue: I told the cook to make your lunch and my brother’s lunch together, did you not eat the food?

Shan Shan: I ate, I ate.

Shan Shan thinks: Oh, it is Miss Feng’s order. I knew it, Big Boss isn’t someone who is warm.

Feng Yue: Then, do you like the food?

Shan Shan: It is delicious, it is delicious but it is too much trouble for you.

Feng Yue: It’s no trouble! You know, my brother is very picky about his food.  Every day, our cook has to make lunch to bring to him so making another lunch for you is easy.  I know people who work for Feng Teng are hardworking to the point that they eat bread for lunch.  You can’t be like this as you need to take good care of yourself.

Shan Shan thinks: Miss Feng is so considerate.

Feng Yue:  Is this gift is for the baby?

Shan Shan: Yes, I picked them myself. See, if you like it? Ducklings which can swim and sing. Quack! Quack! Cute or not?

Feng Yue: Oh, can  make sound?

Shan Shan: Each different color will give different sound.

Feng Yue: Oh, really. Come and listen.

Everybody: Oh, so cute! Miss Xue, you are so thoughtful, so nice.

Feng Yue: Shan Shan, you are too thoughtful. Thank you for being so considerate. I dislike people who gives me money. That’s meaningless, not putting in any effort.  Did you know that at first when I asked my brother how to thank you, He said to write you a check but I think that’s insulting so I rejected it right away.

Shan Shan thinks: Elite lady, why did you not let Big Boss insult me!  I want to be insulted ……Check or pork liver …… what a big difference, such an easy choice.  Talking about pork liver………

Shan Shan: Miss Feng, it is too troublesome, so don’t send lunch to me anymore.

Feng Yue: All right, you work in an office so it doesn’t look good if you receive special treatment.

Shan Shan: Yes.

Shan Shan thinks: Since I had gone into debt, I must eat enough in the banquet to store up for N days in the future.

Feng Yue introduces her friends to be Feng Teng’s  partner but he is not interested. Instead, he chooses Shan Shan to be his partner.

They are so childish when the two big boys flash the ‘V sign’ at each other. Gentlemen, let the compet.i.tion to eat Shan Shan begins:P……..The guys are not acting as well as Shan Shan but still tolerable. I like Zheng Qi slightly more because he is so cheeky and jolly whereas Feng Teng only pouts and sulks. However he is slowing thawing and isn’t as bad as I first feared so I shall wait and see further episodes before giving my verdict.