Synopsis

Cast & Crew

Episodes

Reviews (6)

HIStory4: Close to You delivers a wildly polarizing double dose of romance that swings from sugary-sweet workplace comedy to dark, taboo-shattering family drama. At a high-end wedding planning company, top sales manager Xiao Li Cheng is a master of business but a total mess in love. He's harbored a childhood crush on fujoshi friend Liu Mei Fang, and in a desperate attempt to win her over, he ropes his easygoing co-worker Teng Mu Ren into a fake dating scheme. What starts as a ridiculous charade soon turns unexpectedly tender as Li Cheng and Mu Ren navigate awkward cohabitation, explosive chemistry, and the gradual realization that real love might be standing right in front of them. Meanwhile, a much heavier story unfolds between Ye Xing Si, a bright and openly gay young man, and his deeply troubled stepbrother Fu Yong Jie. Yong Jie's obsessive, manipulative behavior spirals into a non-consensual act that shatters the family, forcing everyone to confront painful secrets and impossible choices. The series brazenly juxtaposes the fluffy, trope-filled romance of the main couple with the grim, psychological turmoil of the second, creating a viewing experience that is by turns hilarious, heartwarming, uncomfortable, and fiercely debated. With strong performances, a memorable cameo from a beloved HIStory3 couple, and a soundtrack that lingers long after the credits roll, Close to You is a chaotic yet oddly compelling addition to the HIStory franchise — one that dares viewers to decide where they draw the line between fantasy and harmful glorification.

Cast

Nancy Chen

Cast

Andrew Tan

Cast

Shao Hui Ting

Cast

An Jun Peng

Cast

Charles Tu

Cast

Anson Chen

Cast

Lin Chia Wei

Cast

Cindy Chi

Cast

Wang Jian Ming

Cast

Chen Wan Ting

Cast

Liao Yi Ling

Cast

E01

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 1

Season 1 · Mar 14, 2021

~ min

E02

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 2

Season 1 · Mar 14, 2021

~ min

E03

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 3

Season 1 · Mar 21, 2021

~ min

E04

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 4

Season 1 · Mar 21, 2021

~ min

E05

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 5

Season 1 · Mar 28, 2021

~ min

E06

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 6

Season 1 · Mar 28, 2021

~ min

E07

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 7

Season 1 · Apr 04, 2021

~ min

E08

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 8

Season 1 · Apr 04, 2021

~ min

E09

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 9

Season 1 · Apr 11, 2021

~ min

E10

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 10

Season 1 · Apr 11, 2021

~ min

E11

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 11

Season 1 · Apr 18, 2021

~ min

E12

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 12

Season 1 · Apr 18, 2021

~ min

E13

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 13

Season 1 · Apr 25, 2021

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E14

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 14

Season 1 · Apr 25, 2021

~ min

E15

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 15

Season 1 · May 02, 2021

~ min

E16

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 16

Season 1 · May 02, 2021

~ min

E17

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 17

Season 1 · May 09, 2021

~ min

E18

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 18

Season 1 · May 09, 2021

~ min

E19

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 19

Season 1 · May 16, 2021

~ min

E20

HIStory4: Close to You Episode 20

Season 1 · May 16, 2021

~ min

7.3

out of 10

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sweet_tengteng

May 2025

9/10

I came for the TengTeng and LiCheng cuteness and I was NOT disappointed! Their fake dating turned real is my absolute favorite trope, and these two played it perfectly — the awkwardness, the longing glances, the moment they finally kiss? Everything. Mu Ren's oversized sweaters and Li Cheng's flustered reactions are iconic. Yes, the second couple is a mess, but I just skipped their parts and it was a 10/10 BL experience. The cameo from HIStory3 made me sob. If you want pure fluff and steam, watch for the main couple only!

storylogic_ninja

July 2025

5/10

This was a frustrating watch. The main couple had potential but was weighed down by outdated 'gay for you' tropes and that awful fujoshi plot device. Li Cheng pretending to be gay to get a girl? That's not cute, it's deceptive. And the second couple is just indefensible — the rape is framed as romantic and forgiven way too easily. The tone whiplash between fluffy comedy and dark psychological drama is jarring. The father's arc was the only genuinely well-written part. Overall, a disappointing entry in the HIStory franchise that reeks of wasted potential.

rainbowlens

March 2026

7/10

Visually, HIStory4 is a treat. The color grading is warm and inviting, especially in the wedding scenes, and Mu Ren's fashion choices are deliberately eccentric — those oversized silhouettes actually reflect his quirky personality. The cinematography during the tense family confrontations uses tight framing to great effect. The OST is lovely, particularly the piano piece that plays during Li Cheng's realizations. That said, the inconsistent tone and the second couple's uncomfortable narrative choices hurt the overall aesthetic experience. I wish the directors had committed fully to one style.

consent_matters_always

October 2025

2/10

I can't believe this was greenlit. The second couple's storyline is a textbook example of how NOT to handle sexual assault in fiction. Yong Jie rapes his drunk, unconscious stepbrother, films it, shows the video to their father — and is rewarded with a happy relationship? The mother knew and did nothing? This isn't 'problematic' or 'edgy,' it's harmful propaganda that romanticizes abuse. Xing Si should have been allowed to heal, not forced into a relationship with his rapist. Even the main couple's casual biphobia and the fujoshi exploitation left a bad taste. BL can be fun without excusing rape culture. HiStory 4 fails on every ethical level.

dark_romance_addict

January 2026

8/10

Unpopular opinion: I LOVED the stepbrother couple. Yong Jie is a fascinatingly toxic character — his obsession, his cold logic, his eventual vulnerability. Yes, what he did was unforgivable in real life, but this is BL drama, not a documentary. The way the show explores trauma, family secrets, and twisted love is exactly what I want from dark romance. And Xing Si's journey from victim to someone who chooses to understand his brother is compelling. The main couple was cute but forgettable. Give me the messy, dangerous love story any day. That cameo from HIStory3 was the cherry on top.

melody_of_my_heart

September 2025

7/10

Let's talk about the music — the OST for HIStory4 is genuinely beautiful. The main love theme, that soft guitar and piano piece that plays during the tender moments between Li Cheng and Mu Ren, has been stuck in my head for weeks. I also loved the upbeat track during their comedic scenes; it perfectly captured the playful tone. The second couple got a darker, more haunting score that fit their mood. Production-wise, the sound design is top-notch. Unfortunately, the plot couldn't match the quality of the soundtrack. Still, I'll be streaming the OST on repeat!