“Exploring the Charm and Complexity of Netflix’s Teen Drama, XO, Kitty”

XO, Kitty Review: Charming but Convoluted

The latest addition to Netflix’s young adult portfolio is the 10-part spin-off series of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, XO, Kitty, created by Jenny Han. The new rom-com revolves around 16-year-old Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart), who enrolls at the Korean Independent School of Seoul, her late mother’s alma mater. Although the series’ storyline runs in a convoluted and chaotic manner, it still manages to keep viewers’ attention throughout.

The Plot

The series begins with Kitty’s unannounced enrollment at Kiss, where her boyfriend, Dae, is also studying. Kitty’s romantic gesture ends in disaster when she discovers that Yuri, a hotel heiress, has been paying Dae to pretend to be her boyfriend, to cover up her love for Juliana, another girl. Yuri’s mother, Jin, the principal of Kiss, lies to Kitty about her mother being her friend, despite photographic evidence depicting the two women together.

The series’ plot is full of Scooby-Doo style mysteries, with characters stating the solution almost immediately at the slightest clue. Despite its shortcomings, the series delivers wholesome entertainment and teenage misadventures, with each of the action-packed episodes having a runtime of roughly 30 minutes.

Cast and Culture

XO, Kitty presents an introductory ode to Korean culture depicted through Kitty’s eyes. The series beautifully interweaves various cultural traditions and events like Chuseok, a holiday celebrating family gatherings akin to Thanksgiving. The cast predominantly speaks Korean and English alternately, a pleasant surprise from Netflix, which is known for its inclination towards the English language in non-English language productions such as Emily in Paris.

The young ensemble cast is charming and fills the show with life. Min Ho, portrayed by Sang Heon Lee, starts out as Kitty’s antagonist, but his journey is an extraordinary one, offering unexpected change of heart. Similarly, Michael K Lee’s Prof Lee is a well-portrayed curmudgeon whose gruff exterior hides a warm and friendly interior. The series also touches upon issues of racism and underrepresentation faced by minority groups, including Kitty, a biracial Korean-American.

Is XO, Kitty Worth Watching?

XO, Kitty may not fall under the category of prestige TV, but it is undoubtedly a feel-good series complete with a delightful cast, wholesome humor, and relatable content. While the storyline may seem chaotic and complicated, the show’s charm lies in its ability to sustain wholesome hijinks and teenage misadventures. If you enjoyed To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, you’ll appreciate this spin-off series. XO, Kitty is now streaming on Netflix.