LayarHijau– The latest xianxia drama Love in the Clouds, starring Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao, officially premiered on October 8, 2025, on the Youku platform. The series has drawn attention for its unique portrayal of the main characters’ relationship. Following its premiere, many viewers in China have dubbed it the “Mr. and Mrs. Smith of xianxia.” This nickname references the famous Hollywood film about a married couple who each secretly hold hidden identities and attempt to expose or thwart each other’s agendas—a dynamic reflected in the drama.
In Love in the Clouds, Ming Yi (played by Lu Yuxiao) is a war goddess from Mount Yao Guang who has dominated the arena for seven years. However, she is unexpectedly defeated in the annual Qingyun contest by Ji Bozai (played by Hou Minghao)—a formidable fighter from Jixing Gorge with a dark past as a former prisoner. Ming Yi’s loss comes after being poisoned, and she believes Ji Bozai holds the key to unraveling the mystery.
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To save herself, Ming Yi conceals her true identity and disguises herself as a dancer to infiltrate Jixing Yuan and get close to Ji Bozai. Her dual purpose is to seek the antidote while uncovering the truth and the mastermind behind her poisoning, which very well might involve Ji Bozai. Their interactions are full of intrigue, as both engage in a “dance of deception” and attraction that tests each other’s limits while pursuing their secret missions, creating a compelling relational dynamic.
A standout aspect is Lu Yuxiao’s use of her own voice in the role. Some viewers have noted that her articulation can occasionally be unclear, affecting the delivery of emotion in certain scenes. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the appreciation of her overall performance, World Journal wrote.
In terms of physical presentation, Lu Yuxiao shows significant growth compared to her previous works. In Love in the Clouds, she appears graceful in costumes highlighting elegant necklines and fluid movements, earning praise as a “heavenly choice of antiquity” in the xianxia genre.
Director Zhi Zhu’s Deep Visual Aesthetic
Director Zhi Zhu, known for his distinctive visual style and classical aesthetic intuition, brings a profound Chinese aesthetic to the series. This approach is reflected not only in the sophisticated costumes and props but also in the rich emotional expressions of the characters.
For example, several emotional moments between Ming Yi and Ji Bozai are captured through the use of a blend of light and shadow, shimmering shadows, and unique actor makeup. This cinematic touch adds finesse to scenes, creating artistic depth that enhances the weight of the main characters’ relationship.
Many viewers are optimistic about the chemistry between Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao, expecting it to elevate the quality and appeal of Love in the Clouds and boost ratings in upcoming episodes.
