Present, Is Present (2024)

Astonishing -maybe in another space and time !!!

I think a recreation of this drama in another space and time would be amazing and that c-censor board is the reason for most of things that went downhill !
That being said ...it was surely an interesting watch a lot of cliche's served but also carefully garnished by time and space twists this wasn't a drama I was anticipating to be this enjoyable !

I love space and time interventions and time travel stories and I have had a fair share of them this year -- this drama is nothing fresh out of the oven pie -- but it's surely delicious !

→ STORY -- The lead ziqi crosses path with a girl at his lowest point and every day is a story of keeping her safe and revealing the secrets wrapped around his father's death with carefully entangled past and present the narrative is a space and time mystery of survival among the forces who's greed knows no bounds!

The leads have amazing chemistry and screen presence and tho initially unlikable they have a way to grab you in ...the second couple do not bother you with their not required screen time and the cliche's keep you giggling!

Every episode ends on a high note to make sure you stick around for the next one at the edge of your seats -- and best of it all ..people here know about "communication" !!! they actually tell each other things.

Tho a lot of things come across as brainless --in the spoilers-- but they are needed for the story to progress and your blood pressure to fluctuate -- i mean that's the thing you need to be pissed at times with the characters too lol !

the villains tho disappointingly handled but don't get to a point you start questioning why you even bothered to watch it and least have valid motives for doing things !

For a short drama in the world of cdramas with 20+ hrs of run time ...this 8hr storytelling is pretty much what I needed and absolutely loved.
→The actors did such a great job and the FL wasn't some pathetic loser and did figure out a lot of things on her own with a pinch of damsel in distress but don't we all need her to faint in ml's arms atleast 1000 times lol !

→I hope more people watch it ...and i really look forward to any adaptations of it bec -- c-sensor board I AM ACTUALLY QUITE PISSED with the last ep !!!

---- spoilers ahead---

So anyone who want's to know if it was a dream -- yes bec c-sensor board wouldn't have approved otherwise !
I myself am confused about the end but what i think it was he handled everything by himself (i hate it tho and imma pretend I never saw the last ep) and then they get together and all of the side characters have their memories erased ...whereas FL vaguely remembers ML and then falls for him again --THE WORST WAY TO END !

but we know for the plot to progress we need people dying and more specifically FL dying
what i don't get is why the ML even after knowing he's in danger doesn't keep precautions like man if you are going to some xyz building that has people full of villain's gang then get a grip and take few men with you ...or buy his men ...i don't think you are short on cash

or if in the wedding you are to be stabbed most probably ...then wear something to prevent the damage ...get one for your girl as well ...all of that to collect evidence right so you do not have to necessarily shed blood for it ...call the cops or something !!
---------

My fav lines --

"If I am no longer around please find the courage to move on , don't live in the past for me !
The past was wonderful but we should leave it as that -- i always believe what you remember will surely return - we might meet again in another space and time "

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A mediocre attempt at time travel

This drama took me by surprise when I initially watched the first five episodes. For the first time in a long while, I felt we had a refreshing story with minimal tropes and interesting characters. However, as the drama progresses, it loses its grip on the time travel plot, and what we get in the end is a mixed bag.

The Good

- The acting is solid across the board. While not the best I've seen, the actors did a commendable job given the depth of their characters.
- The chemistry between the leads is excellent, which is one of the main reasons I stuck with the drama. Both characters are mature, responsible, and well-spoken, traits that are rare in other dramas.
- This drama avoids many clichés and misunderstandings. It might seem otherwise at the beginning, but have patience and keep watching.

The Bad

- The plot is poorly written, with numerous flaws, plot holes, and unanswered questions.
- The drama needed more time or episodes, as the ending felt very rushed. While I liked the second leads, their screen time could have been reduced as it didn't significantly add value to the story and felt completely unnecessary in the end.

Personally, a time travel drama should be cleverly written with clear explanations, but this drama made an average attempt at best. The ending was influenced by China's censorship, but they cleverly hid the real ending behind that, so kudos for that.

The drama is not the best, but it's quite enjoyable and short enough to be easily binge-watched. I hope to see more attempts like this in the future, offering a variety of different dramas from what we usually know in C-dramas.

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