LayarHijau.com – Hou Minghao’s popularity has surged thanks to his performance in Love in the Clouds (入青雲) alongside Lu Yuxiao. In October, he reportedly gained 660,000 followers on Weibo, 790,000 on Douyin, and 170,000 on Xiaohongshu, earning the title of Weibo Actor Rising Star and solidifying his status as one of the most popular male actors in Chinese dramas today.
Hou Minghao is now set to return with a new costume drama, Glory (玉茗茶骨), rumored to premiere on December 29 on Mango TV. There are also rumors that Cheng Yi’s new costume drama, The Vendetta of An (長安二十四計), may air on December 17, which has led fans to speculate about a possible ratings rivalry. Notably, Guli Nazha and Cheng Yi previously co-starred in The Journey of Legend (赴山海) as siblings, adding extra interest to this rumored face-off.
In Glory, Hou Minghao plays Lu Jianglai, the top scholar of the imperial examination (狀元郎), appointed as the magistrate of Chun’an County. Lu Jianglai is intelligent and frequently solves various mysterious cases in his jurisdiction. However, his life takes a turn when he becomes entangled in an old case involving his wife, bringing him to the brink of despair. Luckily, Rong Shanbao (Guli Nazha), the influential daughter of a tea family, rescues him and restores him to a strategic position.
Due to past conflicts with the Rong family and power struggles, Lu Jianglai is temporarily punished to serve as a steward by Rong Shanbao, but he gradually reasserts his influence and authority. Together with Rong Shanbao, he solves the old case, reorganizes the family, and develops the tea business. Amidst their battles of wit and strategy, love blossoms between them, ultimately leading to a happy ending.
Promotional teasers have revealed five romantic kissing scenes that showcase the chemistry between Hou Minghao and Guli Nazha: Hou Minghao kisses her by the bedside showing his toned abs; two passionate kisses in a room; a forehead kiss; Hou Minghao carrying a drunken Rong Shanbao; and a side kiss when Rong Shanbao grabs his collar. These scenes underline the intensity of their on-screen relationship.
With the rumored air dates, leaked romantic scenes, and a plot full of mysterious cases, Glory is poised to be one of the most anticipated dramas of the year, drawing attention both for its story and the captivating chemistry between the lead characters.
