Netflix’s Romance Spin-off Is Still Making the Same Mistakes

When XO, Kitty first released, fans were excited to watch one of the most bubbly and chaotic characters from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before set off on her own romantic journey halfway across the world. But the spin-off was plagued with issues and disappointment, dulling the charm of Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart), to no fault of Cathcart herself. Season 2, however, subtly branched away from contrived storylines and romantic tropes, fleshing out its characters and tone so much that it seemed to finally be paving its own identity. Season 3, however, has fallen right back into all the show’s old traps.

Kitty is embarking on her final adventure at KISS: senior year. She’s dealt with the heartache of losing her first love (over miscommunication, no less), navigated the nuances of her sexuality, fallen for the cold, rich, secretly-sweet boy, and has reconnected with her heritage in the most heartwarming ways. In Season 3, the show’s focus shifts to the future, where Kitty is adamant about savoring senior year but is forced to think about college plans or whether she and Min-ho (Sang Heon Lee) could become a real couple. But with Kitty, nothing is straightforward.

‘XO, Kitty’ Season 3’s Central Romance Hits the Same Old Roadblocks

Gone are the days of love triangles (for Kitty, at least), as this season’s central romance is between her and Min-ho, giving the show plenty of space and potential to do something exciting, sweet, or complex with the arc. However, XO, Kitty can’t seem to let go of the poorly-used miscommunication trope, where any of the pair’s problems could be cleared up with a single conversation, one that is constantly delayed by phone calls or interruptions. It makes the first half of the season drag along at a dull pace, and the finale feels far less satisfying than it could’ve been. There are a couple of episodes in the middle of the season that capture interest, but that’s because they focus less on the problems between Kitty and Min-ho, and more on their individual insecurities.

Apart from the fact that XO, Kitty is supposed to be a romance show, the real crime in failing the central couple is how Min-ho is written. The show gives him the same treatment as Dae (Choi Min-yeong) in Season 1, where, in shaping the perfect love interest, any character flaws that made Min-ho interesting and beloved are smoothed out into a blank slate. Where Dae was passive, Min-ho is now a mannequin. This is no slight to Lee’s performance, who does what he can under the constraints of the newly bland character, but Min-ho goes from a scene-stealer in Season 1 to a mere accessory in Season 3.

‘XO, Kitty’ Season 3 Is Strongest as a Coming-of-Age Tale

Where XO, Kitty Season 3 finds its wins are on the sidelines, among the supporting cast who tend to have storylines that outshine the central character. In particular, Yuri (Gia Kim) is navigating the fallout from the lawsuit against her family, and Kim portrays the complexity of finding one’s new identity without the crutch of wealth in a wonderfully compelling way. Meanwhile, Q (Anthony Keyvan) is wrapped up in his own messy situation that becomes the beacon in the first half of the season, the reason we stick with the show until the more well-rounded episodes come along. This season also introduces us to Gigi (Christine Heesun Hwang), a character who adds some much-needed spark to the show.

Although the chemistry between Kitty and Min-ho is diminished this season, by the halfway mark, their individual stories actually garner some interest. One thing we can applaud XO, Kitty for is how Cathcart represents turning points in Kitty’s character development. There are scenes after Episode 4 that quickly elicit sympathy thanks to Cathcart’s performance, as Kitty is always ready to admit mistakes on her part and welcomes growth. On the other hand, Min-ho has a handful of scenes of interest when he is worried about his relationship with his father. Hints of his former self emerge here, but in a more vulnerable form that rounds off his personal character arc.

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Actually relatable.

As a coming-of-age tale between friends, XO, Kitty is a feel-good show, even if the romance is contrived, and the storylines are repetitive and nonsensical at times. Teenagers are supposed to be messy, dramatic, and have room to grow, which is where the show succeeds — there just needs to be an internal logic to the chaos. It’s also a pity that Season 3 didn’t involve more of the adults who delivered some of the stronger storylines in Season 2. There was only one of substance this season that involved Kitty’s cousin Jiwon (Hojo Shin), which develops into something beautifully moving in the later episodes.

‘XO, Kitty’ Season 3 Once Again Relies Heavily on ‘To All the Boys’ Nostalgia

Image via Netflix

Like always, XO, Kitty never quite lets go of its roots to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and heavily relies on nostalgia at times. Last season, Peter (Noah Centineo) made a special appearance, and this time, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) returns to the story. On the surface, inviting Condor to the show seems like an easy way to play on fans’ nostalgia, but it arguably works better this season than it did before. Family and sisterhood have always been an endearing undercurrent in the franchise, and XO, Kitty Season 3 is no exception. That being said, these scenes make it a tad more glaring that the aspects of the show without nostalgia are losing the identity it managed to form in Season 2.

It’s a shame that XO, Kitty didn’t manage to maintain the momentum created in Season 2, and instead returns to the formulaic, forced nature of Season 1. The comparatively strongest parts of the show are rarely the romances or the chemistry, and instead live between the friendships and the personal growth of the supporting cast. As Kitty finishes off her senior year at KISS, it’s a bittersweet moment that leaves us longing for a more memorable final year in Seoul.

XO, Kitty Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.

Release Date

May 18, 2023

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Jenny Han

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  Anna Cathcart

  Katherine ‘Kitty’ Song Covey

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Pros & Cons

• The supporting cast have storylines to fuel interest throughout Season 3.

• The central romance loses its charm along with Min-ho’s vitality.
• Season 3 doesn’t pick up until the second half, then loses momentum at the end.
• The storylines remain nonsensical and are difficult to invest in.