Following titular character Katherine “Kitty” Song-Covey, “XO, Kitty” is Netflix’s swoonworthy spinoff to the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” franchise, blending the western highschool experience with elements of Korean dramas. Despite its unassuming premise, “XO, Kitty” surprised audiences with its relatable characters and engaging plotlines that made it as good, or perhaps even better, than its parent films. In season one, we followed Kitty’s first semester at the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS), the same school that her long-distance boyfriend and late mother attended. As Kitty uncovers aspects of her mother’s life, she also rediscovers her identity and builds close friendships with many KISS students. The primary cast consists of Dae (Choi Min-young), Kitty’s former long-distance boyfriend turned close friend; Quincy (Anthony Keyvan), the gay best friend; Yuri (Gia Kim), Kitty’s first love interest, and Min-ho (Sang Heon Lee), the arguably better love interest. At the end of the season, Kitty is pulled between her feelings for Yuri and Min-ho while her scholarship to KISS hangs in the balance. After two years away, we are taken into Kitty’s second semester, which introduces even more romantic entanglements and family secrets.
Despite its cliché coming-of-age plotline, season one was able to rise above mediocrity by curating a charming cast of characters and a story with heart. My favorite plotline has been Kitty’s love triangle with Min-ho and Yuri. In season one, we were left questioning Kitty’s choice, as her feelings for Yuri surfaced just as Min-ho confessed his own. Season two starts right where we left off: with Kitty’s scholarship reinstated and the introduction of a new suitor, Praveena (Sasha Bhasin), whose playful spirit makes her an obvious match for Kitty. At the same time, we get to learn more about Kitty’s mother and a secret cousin “Simon” who becomes the key to another chamber of family secrets.
One of my favorite parts of this show has been its focus on friendship. No matter how mundane the scene or absurd the adventure, Kitty is joined by one or more of her friends as they uplift and support one another through the ups and downs of teenage life. From Kitty’s burgeoning friendship with Min-ho to a new friendship/relationship with Praveena, the show always leans into its emotional anchor, reminding viewers about the power of connection. This season also welcomed back some old faces, namely Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), the lead in the “To All the Boys” franchise. While I am skeptical that this cameo was just Netflix’s attempt to generate buzz, it was nice to watch Kitty and Peter’s sibling-like banter on screen.
My main gripe with this season is its increasingly poor storytelling. Some have criticized the show for being overly direct with its narration, and I couldn’t agree more. With a short run-time, the show forgoes nearly all exposition, forcing the audience to hear many aspects of the story without showing them in real time. Between Kitty’s miraculous return to KISS and her secret love letter to Yuri, there are many moments wherein the storyline is cut short and replaced with direct dialogue that leaves little room for speculation. While I have enjoyed many of the new characters, the show is unable to do them justice given the time constraints. Juliana (Regan Aliyah), Madison (Jocelyn Shelfo) and Praveena are all entertaining to watch, and yet they did not significantly contribute to the season’s plot. The same could be said for Q’s love interest, Jin (Joshua Hyunho Lee), who was the perfect candidate for a redemption arc but received so little screen time his personality appeared one-dimensional. Similarly, Stella’s (Audrey Huyhn) feud with Min-ho’s father came out of left field and only detracted from the more heartfelt moments of the season.
Despite a great first venture, “XO, Kitty” season two struggles to balance its growing cast with the need for a cohesive and well-paced narrative. While the friendship dynamics and nostalgic callbacks to the original “To All the Boys” films continue to maintain the emotional core of the series, the rushed storytelling leaves much to be desired. I am hopeful that season three will overcome some of these narrative flaws, providing audiences with the authentic stories and relationships that made this show special in the first place.
