A Xianxia which is a well-acted, well-directed, chemistry filled and cinematic masterpiece.
Love in the Clouds is a Xianxia that doesn’t drown you in complex politics or endless plot twists, exactly why it works. It’s easy to follow but still layered enough to keep you hooked, and I was, not only because I like both the lead actors and their previous works. Honestly, it’s a great pick for people new to the genre or for seasoned drama watchers who just want something with emotion, chemistry, and gorgeous visuals without the headache.It’s adapted from a novel (with some changes), and though four episodes were reportedly cut, it's hard to notice. The direction and cinematography are that smooth with vibrant scenes, consistent pacing, and apt transitions.
Plot & Characters
The plot is simple, yes, but it’s intentional. Each character has a purpose and a distinct personality.
The male lead isn’t your typical “cold but secretly soft only for the fl after treating her like dust for a long time” archetype. He’s playful, hides behind humour, and comes off like a carefree flirt — but underneath that persona is someone deeply scarred, betrayed, and burning for justice. What makes him stand out is that his charm never feels fake; it’s more like armour, and it's refreshing to see a ml be so quick on the uptake when he found himself slowly liking the fl, even beyond the obstacles their love faced.
The female lead is just as layered. Once a warrior, now living as an innocent fairy, she’s cunning, brave, and a bit ruthless when she needs to be. But she’s also dealing with the weight of being a “fallen hero” — guilt, self-doubt, the feeling of letting people down. That mix of strength and vulnerability makes her really relatable. She's quick, a little misguided about how to do things but very easy to love, a perfect match to the ml's intensity and playful aura, quite like the tamer of the once untamed. Both actors BODIED their characters, and it was easy to immerse into the drama.
Even their spirit animals are written with personality — loyal, fierce, and a surprisingly emotional part of the story. I didn’t expect to get attached to them, but I totally did. 27 and Buxiu were extremely well written and eye-catching with their animal personalities bleeding through to their human personas, which was adorable.
Villains
The villains here are actually good. Like, believable. No one’s evil just for the sake of it — most of them have reasons that make sense, and their arcs feel complete and satisfying. There’s no shortage of handsome faces either. Certain scenes were replayed by me too many times just to see a few villains again and again, the casting was great.
That said, a few of the side villains could’ve gotten a more justified ending. I definitely felt some stories were left hanging. But the final episode made up for it. It’s one of the best finales I’ve seen in a while — not rushed, not crammed into the last five seconds. We actually get to see the leads together, happy and in harmony, for a good chunk of the episode. It’s wholesome, earned, and a perfect wrap-up to their journey.
Overall
Love in the Clouds isn’t trying to reinvent Xianxia, but it doesn’t have to. It’s fun, visually stunning, emotionally grounded, and filled with chemistry that actually builds instead of appearing out of nowhere. The miscommunication trope (which I usually hate) was finally used right — creating real tension and payoff instead of just frustration.
Overall, I’d give it a solid 9+/10. A drama that’s easy to love, hard to pause, and one that leaves you smiling by the end.
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