XO, Kitty: Surprising Magic and Ultimate Teen Romance

Overview Of XO, Kitty

If you’d told me a few years ago that a spin-off from a Netflix rom-com would end up in my personal top ten for teen drama, I’d have laughed you out of the room. Yet XO, Kitty — released in May 2023 — managed to do just that. The series, with Anna Cathcart leading as the lovable but sometimes stubborn Kitty Song Covey, fuses comedy and drama in a way that feels authentic, not forced. You can see why it’s currently sitting at an 8.1/10 rating and trending across global charts. There’s something immediately magnetic about the idea: take a teen matchmaker convinced she has love all figured out, drop her into a whirlwind that is Seoul, and suddenly she’s learning her own heart is a total mystery. What could have been a sugar-sweet cash-in actually finds unexpected layers — and it’s that blend (plus a cast with real chemistry) that makes XO, Kitty buzz on social feeds, not just Netflix’s home page.

My Take on XO, Kitty

I went in expecting background TV. You know, the kind I’d put on while folding laundry. By the end of the first episode, I’d forgotten about my laundry completely. It’s hard not to relate, embarrassingly so, to Kitty’s whirlwind optimism colliding with reality. Watching Choi Min-yeong and Gia Kim steal scenes, especially in those quiet moments when Kitty feels adrift, had me unexpectedly choked up — especially episode 3, when the tone flips from lighthearted to something much more vulnerable. The writing is sharper than you’d guess, and there’s a bravely awkward energy to some of the romantic moments that totally works. I found myself wincing, laughing, and even throwing a pillow once (no, I won’t say why — but you’ll know the scene when you hit it). The opening sequence alone, with Kitty’s chaotic arrival in Seoul, had me hooked. It felt honest in a way that teen shows rarely do.

What XO, Kitty Gets Right (And Wrong)

This show nails the balance between breezy fun and genuine awkwardness. It’s not afraid to let Kitty make a mess — emotionally, socially, sometimes even physically — and that commitment to imperfection is what makes her feel real. The international setting isn’t just set-dressing; it shapes the characters, their conflicts, and offers some jaw-dropping shots of Seoul’s cityscape that put you right there. The ensemble cast (Sang Heon Lee in particular) gives every subplot some spark, and the show’s willingness to slow down for actual conversations, instead of zippy one-liners, is a rare treat for the genre.

Where it stumbles, though, is in pacing. There are stretches, especially early in season two, where storylines meander longer than they should. A couple of supporting arcs feel rushed — I wanted more build-up, more context, especially for Kitty’s new friendships. And sometimes the cultural clashes veer into cliché, rather than nuance. The power dynamics at the school, in particular, get confusing fast, and not every romantic tangle lands with the same punch as the main love triangle. That said, none of these missteps ruin the overall experience, but they do occasionally pull you out of the immersion just when you’re most invested.

Cinematography & Visual Style

Visually, XO, Kitty is anything but generic. The camera work often mimics Kitty’s state of mind — wide, sun-drenched shots for her moments of hope, hand-held close-ups for anxiety. There’s a kinetic energy to the editing, but the show isn’t afraid to linger, either. The use of Seoul as a living, breathing character (think neon backdrops, bustling street markets, quiet rooftop scenes) gives it a sense of place I rarely see outside of K-dramas. One moment that stuck with me was a split-screen sequence that, instead of feeling gimmicky, brought out the emotional chaos of young love. Whoever led the visual direction here, hats off — it never feels cookie-cutter Netflix.

Acting Performances

Anna Cathcart owns every scene she’s in. Her mix of naivete and stubbornness makes Kitty a protagonist you root for, even when she’s making terrible choices. Choi Min-yeong brings a subtle, almost vulnerable energy to his scenes; he’s not just the standard love interest. Gia Kim and Sang Heon Lee deserve their own shout-outs for adding layers to roles that could’ve been one-note. There are a couple of line readings from the supporting cast that feel a bit stiff, but never enough to break the spell. By midseason, you feel like you know these kids — flaws, quirks, and all.

Pacing & Story Structure

Here’s where I found myself both nodding in approval and biting my tongue. The set-up is brisk — Kitty’s leap into Seoul and the tangle of her first days kept me glued. But by the middle of season two, a few storylines start to lose momentum. There’s a recurring temptation to resolve drama with one quick scene, especially in friendship arcs, and it left me wanting more depth. Some character growth feels a bit rushed, which can dull the emotional payoff. Still, when the pacing clicks (especially in the climactic moments of season one and three), it’s downright electric.

Soundtrack & Atmosphere

The soundtrack is a heady mix of K-pop bangers and gentler acoustic moments, always deployed at just the right emotional beat. It’s poppy without being overbearing, and a couple of tracks lodged themselves in my head for days. The music choices help elevate key scenes into something memorable — there’s one party sequence that’s basically a music video in the best possible way. The score is carefully woven in, never drowning out the character moments. I’d argue the atmosphere is one of XO, Kitty’s secret weapons: half comfort, half chaos, and always alive.

Why XO, Kitty Stands Out From Similar TV Shows

Let’s be honest, teen romance shows are a dime a dozen. So what makes XO, Kitty feel genuinely fresh? For starters, unlike To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (which spun this off), XO, Kitty isn’t content to just recycle tropes. It dives into cross-cultural identity with a lot more honesty, and the international setting isn’t just window dressing. While Heartstopper gives us bubblegum queer romance and Never Have I Ever explores diaspora teen angst, XO, Kitty walks a trickier line, balancing genuine emotional stakes with messy, funny, sometimes cringe-worthy moments. What really sets it apart is its willingness to let Kitty be wrong — often, and in ways that hurt. That’s rare vulnerability in a teen lead, and it keeps things unpredictable. In terms of visual style, the Seoul setting and the show’s use of real language barriers put a fresh spin on familiar beats.

Is XO, Kitty a Good Starting Point? (Viewing Guide)

Worried you’ll be lost if you haven’t seen To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before? Don’t be. XO, Kitty stands alone. Yes, you’ll catch a few extra Easter eggs if you know Kitty’s backstory, but you can jump in cold and still get swept up. In fact, I’d recommend giving it three episodes before you decide — that’s when the emotional depth really kicks in. The first episode sets the stakes, but it’s by episode three that this show finds its stride. If you’re in for the long haul, 26 episodes and three seasons won’t feel like a slog; if anything, you might wish there were more.

Is XO, Kitty Worth Watching?

Absolutely — XO, Kitty is a witty, heartfelt coming-of-age series with plenty to offer both new viewers and returning fans. It’s not flawless, but its charm and sincerity more than make up for the occasional stumble.

Who Should Watch (And Who Should Skip)

• Watch if you love: Teen romance, coming-of-age drama, cross-cultural stories, or shows like Never Have I Ever and Heartstopper.
• Fans of: Messy but honest friendships, awkward first loves, or big, bright visual storytelling will feel right at home.
• Skip if you hate: Love triangles, slow-burn character arcs, or any kind of teen drama stakes. If you can’t stand high school settings, this won’t change your mind.
• If you expect nonstop action or high fantasy, you’ll probably get bored.

Final Verdict

XO, Kitty delivers surprising magic — not just through its tangled love lives and Instagram-worthy backdrops, but in its genuine willingness to let characters fail, grow, and find their way. Sure, it’s messy. Sometimes, the pacing goes sideways. But by the time the final credits roll, you’re rooting for Kitty (and maybe for yourself) to find something real. If you’re searching for a coming-of-age story with heart and a few bruises, XO, Kitty is the romance you didn’t know you needed. I’ll be thinking about that closing scene for a while. Streaming comfort food, but with a spicy kick.