LayarHijau– The fantasy period drama Love in the Clouds (入青雲), starring Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao, aired its long-awaited finale on Saturday (October 26). However, the drama’s final stretch faced tough competition from three major titles—Whispers of Fate (水龍吟) starring Luo Yunxi, Sword and Beloved (天地劍心) starring Cheng Yi, and Blood River (暗河傳) starring Gong Jun—which led to declining ad revenue and viewership over its last 13 episodes.
⚠️ Spoiler Alert: This article contains major spoilers for the final episode of Love in the Clouds.
Despite its slow finish, Love in the Clouds started off strong. Thanks to the undeniable chemistry between Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao, the drama once achieved a popularity index surpassing 10,000 on streaming platforms, outperforming several other titles airing at the same time—including Fated Hearts (一笑隨歌) starring Li Qin and Chen Zheyuan, and Yummy Yummy Yummy (宴遇永安) starring Li Yunrui and Wang Yinglu.
However, audiences’ growing fatigue with romance-heavy period dramas may have taken its toll. With three major fantasy action dramas dominating the screen, Love in the Clouds gradually lost momentum. Many netizens commented that its release schedule was “poorly timed” given the crowded drama lineup.
In the finale, Ji Bozai (Hou Minghao) and Ming Yi (Lu Yuxiao) join forces to destroy the deadly “Swallowing Heaven Array” (吞天陣) created by the father of Si Tu Ling (Yu Cheng’en). The formation, which could absorb the world’s energy to control all six realms, could only be broken by someone possessing two rare spiritual powers—“Lihen Heaven” and “Huangliang Dream.”
Ji Bozai, who carried both powers, planned to sacrifice himself to save everyone. But Ming Yi discovered his plan and refused to let him face death alone. Together, they successfully dispelled the formation, their powers breaking through to the highest level—and their bond deepening in the process.
Meanwhile, Si Tu Ling, who had secretly loved Ming Yi from the start, fell into darkness after consuming a demonic pill. Just before dying in battle, he regained his sanity and made a heartbreaking wish to Ming Yi: “I hope I can meet you first in the next life—maybe then we’ll have a chance to love.” The line quickly became one of the most talked-about moments on Weibo, praised for its tragic beauty.
But the highlight of the finale was undoubtedly Ji Bozai and Ming Yi’s emotional reunion. Having once erased their names from the Love Stone to protect her, Ji Bozai drunkenly asked Ming Yi to carve them back again. In his tipsy confession, he blurted out, “I like you. I really like you. I want to be with you forever!”—a line that had fans squealing online. Ming Yi responded by kissing him twice, creating what many called “the sweetest ending scene of the year.”
In a humorous twist, the enchanted Love Stone cheekily congratulated them, saying, “Congratulations to this reunited couple,” earning laughter and applause from fans. Netizens praised the finale for its warmth and charm despite its familiar tropes, noting that Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao’s natural chemistry elevated every romantic scene.
Although Love in the Clouds lost momentum in the second half due to tough competition, audiences agreed that the drama’s emotional payoff—and its lead couple’s heartfelt performances—made the finale worth the wait. Many viewers are already hoping to see Hou and Lu reunite in another project soon.
