Remember the whirlwind romance of Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky? As a teenager in the 2010s, I was completely swept away by their story, along with over 80 million other viewers. When news of a spin-off, *XO, Kitty*, surfaced, I approached it with cautious curiosity – a nostalgic glance back at a beloved world.
The series centers on Kitty Song-Covey, Lara Jean’s younger sister, as she embarks on a journey to Seoul. She’s chasing both love and a sense of belonging, attending her late mother’s prestigious school and hoping to reconnect with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae. Initial reactions were mixed, and some criticism felt justified.
Let’s be honest, *XO, Kitty* doesn’t shy away from moments that are delightfully awkward and over-the-top. From Gen Z slang (“I’m swearing off all relationships”) to fantastical dream sequences, the show embraces a certain level of playful absurdity. But surprisingly, this isn’t a flaw.
In a landscape where many shows misrepresent young people, *XO, Kitty* offers a refreshing dose of humor, largely thanks to Anna Cathcart’s unexpectedly sharp comedic timing. It’s easy to laugh *with* the show, not *at* it, a crucial distinction that sets it apart. It’s a charm I didn’t anticipate.
Beneath the surface of teenage drama lies a surprising depth. The series tackles complex themes like grief, unrequited love, the importance of chosen family, and the universal struggle of self-discovery. It’s a story that resonates, even if initially dismissed as frivolous. The impressive 14.2 million viewers who tuned in for the second season’s debut speak to its appeal.
What truly surprised me was the show’s bold embrace of LGBTQ+ representation. It’s not relegated to minor characters; queer storylines are central to the narrative. Seeing Netflix take such a strong stance, especially within a franchise historically geared towards a straight audience, was genuinely unexpected and incredibly welcome.
The original films featured only one prominent gay character as a supporting role. *XO, Kitty* expands on that, offering nuanced and compelling queer relationships. It’s a testament to the show’s willingness to evolve and reflect a more diverse world. It’s imperfect, certainly, but undeniably engaging.
As season three approaches, I find myself invested in Kitty’s fate. Will she and Min Ho finally find their way to each other? Will she uncover the secrets of her past? And can she and Yuri rebuild their fractured friendship? I’m genuinely curious to see where the story goes.
Much like Lara Jean, who will make a cameo in the upcoming season, I feel a strange sense of protectiveness over Kitty. She feels like a younger sister, and I’m rooting for her happiness. This show might not be for everyone, especially those who avoid coming-of-age stories.
But if you were captivated by shows like *Heartstopper* or *The Summer I Turned Pretty*, or if you simply feel nostalgic for the days of *To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before*, *XO, Kitty* might just become your next guilty pleasure. Consider me happily hooked, ready to binge the latest season with a bowl of snacks and absolutely no regrets.
