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Gracefully Bowing Out
I started this drama on 10th Oct 2025. It's now 5th Jan 2026, and I've only managed to watch a whopping....11 episodes😭. I had 2 main reasons to start this drama1. The obscenely high ratings
2. The utter shamelessness of this couple
5 episodes later, I put the drama on hold as it wasn't pulling me in yet. Then I started watching the currently ongoing drama Glory. I rather like Hou Ming Hao's character in that story - so much so that it revived my interest in this show. I wanted to see him in a different setting.
However, after an extra 6 episodes, I'm throwing in the towel. This time, for good.
My biggest issue with this show is that nothing is holding this story together. I like how shameless they are (for their time period), and they flirt beautifully - but this is largely because they are both beautiful humans.
However, the main plot, the whole thing about the golden millet dream, we've had no progress so far. His revenge..., truthfully, they haven't done enough to make me care for it or be invested. It's a sad backstory, but like.. meh🤷🏾♀️
I find myself bored, and I no longer care to see how the rest of this story will pan out.
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The story is boring, even though this is the series I wanted to watch. I'm disappointed.
Initially, I was really looking forward to this story because there was so much Reuters spreading around. But I'll be objective, xian xia dramas do have a common plot. But I like it.It's just that the story is getting slower and more aimless, and some of the humor feels dry to me. Visually, it's very pleasing to the eye, Neo, you're handsome.
As for Neo's acting, I have no complaints because I've liked him since Back From The Brink, I've watched many of his series.
The CGI and costumes are very beautiful.
The shortcomings lie in the story and some acting that seems forced. As for the female lead, she could learn more, because from what I've noticed in her previous dramas, she still plays expressions monotonously.
The OST is good, but it doesn't quite hit the mark, it lacks extravagance.
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A sort of a different cdrama -BUT
I don't write reviews cause I believe its a very subjective kind of thing,to each their own,but i had to rant about this drama!Obviously spoilers ahead ..!
Now to the main point.This drama started so positively and charming but things went awry after ep.19..Having watched my fair share of dramas in general,I didnt had a lot of good expectations but the first episodes kinda amazed me with the characters introduction and stories,the universe and the story in general.We had also good chemistry between the cast and the first leads were were presented beautifully with quirky dialogues and emotion.I really enjoyed the interactions between the 2 main leads,the presentations and motives of the villains and the first story arcs.Music and visuals very good as expected.The cliches also down to the minimum and not too cringey.We also had a good presentation of the main lead's backgrounds and motives.All good and not boring till ep 19 and specifically after Ming Yi's torture.A disclaimer is needed i believe here about my drama/scene preferences ,I hate with all my guts when the leads are in a haze/confused/drugged/tortured in a scene and the next scene have them to perform an intimate scene to progress the romance so as you can tell,i hated the scene after my girl's torture,where Bozai thought she made a move towards him and tried (and succeded) kissing her and tried to do more.My girl was tortured in all possible ways and according to the writers THAT was the romantic moment.!Anyhow,moving on to the rest of the drama where things went all wrong.The main leads once again started the no talking and miscommunication era,things could have been resolved sooo easily BUT drama had to drag for extra episodes,we had extra revelations to the last 3 episodes,cause why not and a lot of extra stories introduced last minute.Ofc we had an extra villain,a sweet but obsessed with the FL guy that turned out to be bad the last 3 episodes,for story purposes ofc,a father and a family background that came out of nowhere and without some sort of connection beforehand and a revelation about the main leads that threw everything off last episodes.The ML decided once again to ditch the FL even though SHE sacrificed herself soo many times for him(while she was also dying without a cure mind you) and kept her in the dark about his plans to sacrifice himself this time for the greater good.MIscommunication to the maximum this time and lots of silence between them and just looks and close camera shots with no point.Also,we never found out about FL’s original name.She borrowed fairy’s Ming Yi name when she saw the dead parents and Ming Xian is the name the empress gave her,so what name her true parents gave her??This also never cames up,i guess its a plot hole.The best part of these episoded was the return of FM's little beast .
The drama had some quirky and shrewd dialogues,especially in the beginning with ML,a good base story to begin with and good chemistry between the actors but lost a great amount of points with some scenes,ML's total clueleness and lack of wit and sharpness in some points and the last episodes that were too overwhelming.There is no rewatch value for me and i definitely cant recommend it,at least from the middle and on..If you like the ML i believe he was at his best in Fangs of Fortune,great chemistry with the other ML and he was way more clever and sharp there.😝
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Ming Yi and Ji Bozai's fateful battle
The push and pull relationship and deception between the two main lead is very interesting to watch.From enemies fighting each other. Using each other for their own purposes and ending up with mutual understanding and falling in love between the two
ML and FL's chemistry is good. From the beginning, there are many mysteries that have not been revealed. The story progresses slowly, revealing one by one the veil of mystery and connections between the characters. Of course, while enjoying the handsomeness and beauty of both main characters. and sweet intimacy of their relationship. The cinematography is also good. The CGI effects are also good.
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I dropped this drama because of the poor storyline.
When it comes to acting and music, the drama is quite good, but the story—especially in episode 23—feels weak. The betrayal plot involving Ming Yi seems forced, and Ji Bo Zai’s character is portrayed as extremely selfish.Even though Ming Yi initially approached him to obtain medicine, she was clearly different from others who only wanted the medicine without caring about him. She had many chances to take it and leave, yet she didn’t—she repeatedly helped Ji Bo Zai with his problems instead.
At the very least, Ji Bo Zai should have thought about **why** Ming Yi suddenly wanted the medicine, considering she had many previous opportunities to take it without caring about him but chose not to. That alone should have made him realize she was not like the others.
So when Ming Yi finally took the medicine without asking, his violent reaction felt unreasonable. Even if he was disappointed, he should have at least given her the medicine out of gratitude and moral obligation. After all, she had helped him many times.
the male lead, Ji Bo Zai, is poorly written: selfish, ungrateful, and unable to recognize genuine kindness.
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I dislike Ji Bozai
I know most of the ladies are taken in by Neo's great looks but Ji Bozai's charachter is not as good as people claim. For one he was introduced as a relatively intelligent man. But he consistently misses Ming Yi being poisoned. Its a weak arguement to claim he does not know. He went through the same symptoms when he was poisoned in the SAME way. He should know. He also says he trusts Ming Yi despite her past and consistently contradicts that statement. His trust issues are not justified around her as she has shown fierce loyalty. He also does not care about consent he was kissing Ming Yi during a very vulnerable time when she was in that bath as she was still stuck in the dream. He waited to bring "justice" to all those who crossed his master and in doing so got alot people killed and hurt. He should have gone straight for the kill along time ago. Overall hes my least favourite charachter and not even a good person. Ming Yi is actually the much better charachter and would have been even better had they followed the novel. Instead shes stuck giving her life away to this loser.Was this review helpful to you?
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Awesome chemistry
This was my first impression of Hou Ming Hao and his acting made me fall in love with him. He portrayed his character as Ji Bozai very well. This drama doesn’t shy away from the kissing scene, it made me 🥵🥵🔥🔥. I have to say, there are quite a bit of misunderstandings and secrets that Ming Yi keeps which I think could’ve been revealed like halfway through the show. All I have to say is miscommunication final boss. But when they fell in love, they’d do anything to keep each other safe. I do wish we’d get to see more of Ming Yi portraying her abilities because we never saw her at her full potential which was saddening because we rarely get to have a powerful FL. Also I cried my eye out when 27 died but thank god he came back. Overall, this story got me hooked on HMH, and had me stalking his other dramas. The OSTs are fire for the show and I can’t move on 😭. The FL is smart though, so it’s basically she’s trying to gain his trust to get the cure, and he doesn’t trust anyone because of his past. Them being born on the same day and swapped as babies was SUCH the plot twist it made things so much more complicated and juicier. The ANGST was hitting. Also the Suitling guy or whatever pmo don’t get fooled by his charm in the beginning he got OBSESSED.Was this review helpful to you?
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Insane chemistry and face cards
Two of the most prettiest chinese actors starring in one drama. Of course I wouldn't miss seeing this one.The chemistry is insane. Sparks fly every time the leads are together in one frame. I find myself blushing every time. What I love about them is that they don't hold back with the skinship and not just the typical lips barely touching each other. Boy oh boy these two know how to kiss. They are both so hot for this! The acting of the casts is so good, and the dynamic between the leads and the supporting characters is so fun to watch. The costumes and the hair are also so pretty on them. Everything is so pretty.
My only problem is the inconsistency of the plot. Sometimes I have to just turn off my brain in order to get through the episodes. For example, Ming Yi (female lead) is the warrior goddess but her fight scenes are clearly lackluster. It's as if she's been nerfed. The characters are also frustrating sometimes because of their decisions. I hate the misunderstanding trope the most so it's torture for me since the premise of the drama is about a misunderstanding The villains' motives are so shallow that I find myself often scratching my head. I do believe they are so poorly written that I don't feel a single sadness for them when they met their end.
HOWEVER, the drama redeemed itself when they gave a full on happy ending, instead of just an open ending or just merely a 5-minute happy ending scene. I know I know the bar is low. But you have to understand this is extremely rare for a xianxia drama, and I hope and pray to see more chinese dramas with a happy ending.
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Cloudy and perfect
Love in the Clouds truly surprised me. I wasn’t familiar with the lead actor, the storyline intrigued me just enough but I also came with assumptions about how it would go… and wow, what a beautiful journey. I was hooked from beginning to end.What initially seemed like just another battle-driven drama quickly turned into a masterpiece. Every note felt right, to the point that I was genuinely sad when it ended. I have been looking for a drama like this for a while. Perfectly sweet, perfectly heartwrenching, some fantasy and with a believable portrayal.
The two leads had exactly the right tone. Their chemistry was believable and natural, and each of them brought the necessary depth to their characters. Whether together or on their own, they fully did justice to their roles.
Not all the cast was as great and strong but it didn't drag it too mych down.
I especially appreciate shows that can evolve their storyline without losing momentum — and even more so when they add deeper layers without losing focus or compromising their essence. Love in the Clouds achieves that balance.
The story left me satisfied from beginning to end.
The soundtrack didn’t always live up to the overall quality of the show, but it’s certainly not enough to bring it down.
Overall: definitely worth watching. I mean Go for it!
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Love doesn’t mean sacrifice but to go through thick and thin together
LIKEWhenever Bo Zai wants to look into a memory and gets interrupted
The innocent Bu Xiu and Meng Yang Qiu
Good pacing no draggy scenes
Benevolent Mu YuanFeng who thinks of his citizens and the whole world
The animals in this drama always like to sacrifice themselves
Chao Yuan's love for Ming Yi so touching seriously
Flawless this drama my god
DISLIKE
When he got struck by lightning what has she been doing??
Such a useless girl cannot stand up for herself and let Bo Zai protect her instead so selfish
MUSIC - personal fav
爱入青云 Ai Ru Qing Yun - 黄霄雲 Huang Xiao Yun
我愿 Wo Yuan - 龚淑均 Gong Shu Jun
若你的世界没有暖阳 Ruo Ni De Shi Jie Mei You Nuan Yang - 侯明昊 Hou Ming Hao
REWATCH VALUE
Shall re-watch when I have the time someday
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