Close to You – Series Review & Episode Guide

I wish Close to You weren't an anthology. In this series, there are four separate romances. Each is given only two short episodes, limiting the time it has to develop the plot or characters. The storyteller must condense the content and rush from scene to scene, while the viewers lack a deep connection to any arc. Everyone loses. If you have multiple ideas for a story, pick your best one. Close to You should have focused on a single plot instead of splitting its attention across four half-baked BL dramas.

The first story has a juicy start by teasing the sexual tension between two friends. They act like platonic besties, yet their behaviour feels intimate and borderline romantic. I gasped when Do Won put his head on Jae Yul's crotch, squealed when they huddled under a blanket, and nearly fainted as they cuddled in bed. OMG, why are they so affectionate!? I was giddy over their flirtation disguised as friendship. However, the next episode is less exciting and focuses on mushy emotions. It may work as pleasant filler in a longer drama, but not when we're on a tight deadline. My enthusiasm for this romance fades quickly.

Instead of developing Do Won and Jae Yul's relationship, the series moves to a new pairing. Next up, we have a short story about a time loop. It has the most creative concept in the anthology. I love the idea of changing history to redo a love confession. Also, Si Hwan's actor (Kim Jeong Seok) is super lively and delivers an energetic performance. However, there simply isn't enough material. What else is there besides the time loop? We learn very little about the characters or their lives. Despite an interesting premise, a good romance needs more than just a gimmick.

My least favourite is the third story, which feels rushed from start to finish. The couple's feelings develop too fast when they haven't interacted that deeply. I don't believe they share a strong bond. Plus, I hate how there's a random tragedy at the end. All the other stories have happy conclusions, yet this one finishes with an overused angsty trope. The trauma arrives without buildup, so it feels like a lazy plot device meant to tug at the audience's heartstrings. I sit with my arms crossed, stone-faced and lips pursed. The forced poignant ending won't work on me. 😑

As for the fourth and final story, it's painfully forgettable. The plot suffers from the same issues as the earlier dramas. It lacks content, so we don't learn much about the leads. Why should we care about two unfamiliar characters or their sudden reunion? It's also too rushed, so the short length limits the impact of the emotional arc. The couple's reconciliation doesn't seem satisfying since we spend so little time with them. Every story in the anthology has this problem. I finish each one feeling disappointed because none of the plots have been fully explored or developed.

Across all four dramas, the acting seems decent from everyone. However, the material isn't challenging, and nobody is pushed far out of their comfort zone. Each couple has some chemistry, so the romances aren't complete flops. Expect plenty of flirting, canoodling, and even a bit of kissing. And remember the pair from the first story? They get their own spin-off series! With that said, I'm only mildly interested in them or anyone from Close to You. The anthology format waters down my feelings toward the series, and I don't feel particularly close to these romances.