After season one of “XO, Kitty” left us with a short, sweet and swoon-worthy confession on the plane from Min Ho (Sang Heon Lee, “Secret Ingredient”) to Kitty (Anna Cathcart, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”) I was on the edge of my seat, as were many other viewers I’m sure. Despite my irritation with the show, specifically with the constantly scrambled love triangles, I was still eager for more.
Was I upset that, after four years of a long-distance relationship, Kitty decided to leave Dae (Choi Min-young, “Weak Hero Class 1”) at the end of the first season just because she lost “the spark” in favor of someone she had only known for a semester? Yes. Did I find the ending rushed because it crammed in too many subplots scattered throughout the show? Of course! Did I think the miscommunication errors and love triangles (or squares) were unnecessarily messy? Most definitely.
Even so, I felt excited that Kitty had discovered a crucial part of her identity that was sure to shape the second season. In an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, Jenny Han (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”), the co-showrunner of “XO Kitty,” expressed that she meant to put Kitty in a place where she could grow at the end of season one. Han promised that Kitty’s love story would differentiate itself from her older sister’s “one true love” narrative, and intended to showcase each sister as their own person. While this sounds great in theory, I can’t help but wonder how many more hearts Kitty will break just to prove how different she is from Lara Jean.
Before watching season two of “XO, Kitty,” I was fully preparing myself for the psychological turmoil the first season put me through. Although the show lived up to these expectations, with even more characters to add to the drama, it offered so much more. This season had the emotional tenderness of a K-drama, the romantic chaos of an American teenage romantic comedy and the unique flair of every typical Han character. Did I mention the catchy playlist that blends both American and Korean pop? My exasperation towards Kitty and her annoying antics was expected, but I was pleasantly surprised by how this season balanced its various subplots without losing my interest or leaving me confused by unresolved plot holes. I just wish we got a season finale that tied up more loose ends than it created.
“XO, Kitty” season two extends many of the storylines from the first season: Kitty’s exploration of her bisexuality and what this means for her relationships, her awkward post-breakup friendship with Dae and learning about her mother’s legacy. Many of these storylines were left on cliffhangers from the previous season, and while season two delved into them further, it still left much room for resolution. This season also brings in new characters who create even more stress for our beloved protagonist alongside old characters who are sure to send avid “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” fans running back to 2018 in a fit of nostalgia. That’s right, if you haven’t seen the trailer, Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo, “The Recruit”) makes a cameo to support the youngest Song-Covey sister, introduced by a familiar tune — Lauv’s “I Like Me Better” — playing in the background.
Though it is comforting to know Peter is back in the show, the other new faces we see are not always so friendly. In the first episode, we are introduced to Kitty’s new roommate, Stella (Audrey Huynh, “Wyrm”). She is exuberant on the surface, but with each passing episode, her actions become increasingly more questionable. We also meet Min Ho’s (neglectful and fame-hungry) dad, Young Moon (Philippe Lee, “Pancakes”), who turns out to be funding the fine arts program at the school. As a result, all students must participate in the end-of-term talent show. With a hefty cash prize and an invaluable debut opportunity for the first-place winner, stakes are high for competitors, raising tensions for what’s already expected to be an emotionally strained season.
Between balancing the romantic bumble of Kitty’s decision-making paralysis in choosing who to pursue, resolving a long-standing family feud that goes back a couple of generations and figuring out what Stella is up to before it’s too late, it would seem like “XO, Kitty” bit off more than it could chew. Each storyline comes with its own host of petty squabbles and entangled conflicts, so one would naturally expect this season to end in utter shambles.
Fortunately, the different storylines were all interwoven cohesively. The timeline and pacing seemed appropriate enough, and I was invested in the characters, as irritating as they could be sometimes. Not only were they well fleshed out to the point where I could sympathize with (most of) them, but the dialogue demonstrated the genuine care they had for each other. What really kept me watching, however, was the steady support Q (Anthony Keyvan, “Love, Victor”) offered his friends amid all the drama. Whether it be his witty remarks, practical pieces of advice or big, comforting hugs, Q was there to quell the turbulence and act as the “middle man” for the entirety of the series. “XO, Kitty” is a show that centers on romance, but the presence of supportive and reliable friends provides relief from the drama. Otherwise, how would our main cast stay sane?
The last episode of season two, while containing a compelling storyline, left me with more questions than I came in with. I’m fine with open-ended finales, but “XO, Kitty” left so much in the air that it was practically begging for a season three, though that isn’t guaranteed (yet). How will Kitty navigate her last year of high school, and what are her post-graduation plans? Are Lara Jean and Peter going to get married soon? And most pressing of all, when will our chaos queen finally relinquish her crown and make the final choice?
One thing’s for sure, “XO, Kitty” isn’t ready to sign off just yet, so let’s hope that if and when season three is released, we can put an end to these cliffhanger endings. I watched season two to get closure from season one, which didn’t happen. I’m hoping the third season will provide at least that much for me.
