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| Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao deliver sparks in “Love in the Clouds”, fans call it the “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” of ancient fantasy |
The brand-new Youku fantasy drama Love in the Clouds, starring Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao, finally landed on 8 October 2025, and viewers are already obsessed.
Within hours of the premiere, Chinese audiences cheekily labelled it the “Mr. and Mrs. Smith of xianxia” — and honestly, the comparison fits perfectly.
Like the Hollywood spy couple who hide their secret missions from each other, the leads in Love in the Clouds are caught in their own ancient-era web of deceit and attraction.
The show mixes martial fantasy, slow-burn romance and hidden identities into one beautifully shot adventure — and it’s already trending all over Weibo.
The story follows Ming Yi (Lu Yuxiao), a legendary war goddess from Mount Yao Guang who’s spent seven years reigning undefeated.
Been waiting to see this scene since the reuters came and it didn't disappoint. It's so beautifully shot and they both look so prettyyyy🥹❤️#LoveInTheClouds #LuYuxiao #HouMinghao pic.twitter.com/qy9OU5c5d3
— ✨ (@kdramas__) October 10, 2025
Her glory shatters when she loses to Ji Bozai (Hou Minghao), a mysterious fighter from Jixing Gorge with a criminal past.
The twist? Ming Yi’s defeat comes after being poisoned — and she’s convinced Ji Bozai holds the secret behind it.
To uncover the truth, she ditches her celestial armour, disguises herself as a dancer, and sneaks into Jixing Yuan.
From there, things get delightfully messy.
Every shared glance, every sword clash and every whisper between the two is loaded with suspicion and unspoken emotion.
Fans have called it “a duel of hearts in disguise”, and that’s honestly spot-on.
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This drama also marks a noticeable evolution for Lu Yuxiao.
Critics and fans alike have pointed out her grace and composure, especially in the costume design that plays up her delicate neckline and elegant silhouette.
Her use of her own voice this time around has sparked some mixed chatter — a few think her diction could be sharper — but most agree her emotional delivery is leagues ahead of her earlier work.
She embodies Ming Yi’s steel-wrapped-in-silk energy perfectly: commanding in battle, yet heartbreakingly fragile when the mask slips.
World Journal even noted how she’s “a heavenly fit for the ancient fantasy realm”.
หลูอวี้เสี่ยวสวยอะไรขนาดนั้นอะ คือมองเพลินมาก หน้าอ้อนแต่ตุวดื้อที่สุด#LoveInTheClouds #สู่ห้วงเมฆา pic.twitter.com/CU8VEIOZTv
— h-h-hi it’s me again i'm back (@yesiamhibo) October 9, 2025
Behind the camera, director Zhi Zhu once again proves why he’s one of the most visually refined names in the industry.
His fondness for Chinese aesthetic minimalism gives the series a cinematic texture rarely seen in web dramas.
Through meticulous costume palettes, balanced lighting, and a delicate play of shadow and flame, Love in the Clouds turns every confrontation into a painting in motion.
In several key scenes, Ming Yi and Ji Bozai’s emotions are conveyed not through dialogue but through the glimmer of torchlight or the fall of dust in battle — a subtle yet powerful hallmark of Zhi Zhu’s craft.
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The chemistry between Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao has become the drama’s biggest talking point.
Their push-and-pull dynamic — one moment threatening, the next tender — is keeping viewers hooked.
Many are betting that as more secrets unravel, Love in the Clouds could soar to become one of Youku’s standout titles of the year.
If the first few episodes are anything to go by, this isn’t just another xianxia drama — it’s a full-blown duel of desire, deception, and destiny dressed in stunning cinematography.