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XO, Kitty 2023 Movie Cast, OTT, Budget, Box Office, And More

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XO, Kitty: The Matchmaker’s Big Move to Seoul

When Netflix’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy concluded, fans of the beloved romantic comedy universe created by author Jenny Han were left with a Lara Jean and Peter-sized hole in their hearts. Enter 2023’s most anticipated young adult spin-off: XO, Kitty. This new series shifted the spotlight onto the youngest and most outspoken of the Covey sisters, Kitty Song Covey, sending her on her own quest for love and self-discovery halfway across the world.

Premiering on Netflix on May 18, 2023, the show instantly captured the hearts of a new generation of rom-com enthusiasts and became a global phenomenon, proving that the Covey family’s knack for messy, heartfelt romance was far from over.

A Matchmaker’s Grand Adventure to Korea

The series, created by Jenny Han, is not an adaptation of one of her novels but an original story built on a beloved character. XO, Kitty begins four years after the events of To All the Boys: Always and Forever, with Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) now a confident, well-meaning, but slightly naive 16-year-old.

Believing she has mastered the art of romance after successfully setting up her older sister Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky, Kitty decides it’s time to pursue her own long-distance relationship. She takes a massive leap, convincing her father and stepmother to allow her to move from Portland, Oregon, to Seoul, South Korea, to attend the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS).

The decision to go to KISS is twofold:

• For Love: It’s the school of her long-distance boyfriend, Dae-heon Kim (Choi Min-young).
• For Family: It is also the very same elite boarding school her late mother attended as a teenager, providing a deep emotional connection to her past.

Kitty’s expectations of a perfect, fairy-tale reunion with Dae are quickly—and disastrously—shattered on her first day. She discovers Dae is in a complicated, public, and seemingly very real relationship with a wealthy and popular student named Yuri Han (Gia Kim). To complicate matters further, a housing mix-up lands Kitty in the boy’s dorm, where she is forced to live with Dae and his two friends: the charismatic, arrogant Min-ho Moon (Sang Heon Lee) and the friendly, grounded Quincy “Q” Shabazian (Anthony Keyvan).

The New Love Square and Bi-Sexual Awakening

While the premise sets up a classic love triangle, XO, Kitty quickly spirals into a complex and refreshing “love square” that became one of the show’s biggest draws.

The central conflict and drama revolve around:

• Dae’s Secret: Dae’s relationship with Yuri is revealed to be a fake one, orchestrated to hide Yuri’s true identity and secure financial aid for his family.
• The Shocking Twist: As Kitty tries to navigate her tumultuous feelings for Dae and her complicated new life, she develops an unexpected, undeniable attraction to Yuri. This development was hailed by many as an honest and sincere portrayal of a main character experiencing a bisexual awakening in real-time.
• The Cliffhanger: The first season concludes with Kitty, having broken up with Dae, professing her new feelings for Yuri. Moments later, on a flight back to Portland, she finds herself seated next to Min-ho, who confesses that he has developed romantic feelings for her, leaving fans with an intense cliffhanger and a truly multi-directional love story.

K-Drama Tropes Meet American Teen Comedy

XO, Kitty brilliantly blends the familiar tropes of a K-drama—childhood first loves, contract relationships, forced cohabitation, and a chaebol (rich heir) cast—with the fast-paced, earnest energy of an American teen comedy.

The show was praised for its production quality, showcasing the beautiful, vibrant landscape of Seoul and featuring a cast that effortlessly switched between speaking Korean and English, a rarity for Netflix original programming. Critics and fans appreciated how the series tackled serious topics like LGBTQ+ acceptance and the grief of losing a parent, all without losing its lighthearted, chaotic fun. The spin-off truly managed to carve out its own identity, distinguishing itself from its predecessor by delivering a unique, Gen Z-focused narrative that embraced unpredictability.

Critical Buzz and The Future Beyond 2023

The popularity of XO, Kitty upon its May 2023 release was undeniable. The show quickly earned a renewal for a second season, a testament to its strong viewership and positive fan reaction globally. While some viewers found Kitty’s “loud American” persona and her lack of cultural immersion in Korea to be a point of friction, many more found the show to be an addictive “guilty pleasure” and a refreshing step forward for the young adult rom-com genre.

The introduction of diverse characters and the exploration of Kitty’s sexuality were particularly lauded, with the show remaining fun and carefree despite navigating complex emotional territory.

The success of the 2023 debut led directly to the highly anticipated second season, which premiered on Netflix in January 2025, continuing Kitty’s tumultuous journey as she returns to KISS newly single and determined to have a “drama-free” semester. For fans, the enduring appeal of XO, Kitty lies in its ability to deliver the unexpected—a chaotic, sweet, and engaging exploration of first love, friendship, and family in a dazzling new setting.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

1. What is XO, Kitty and is it connected to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before?

XO, Kitty is a romantic comedy-drama series created by Jenny Han, which premiered on Netflix on May 18, 2023. It is a direct spin-off of the hit To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before film trilogy, following the love life and adventures of Lara Jean’s younger sister, Kitty Song Covey.

2. Who plays Kitty in XO, Kitty?

Kitty Song Covey is played by Canadian actress Anna Cathcart, who reprises her fan-favorite role from all three To All the Boys films.

3. What is the main plot of XO, Kitty Season 1?

The main plot of the first season follows 16-year-old Kitty as she moves to Seoul, South Korea, to attend the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS) to be closer to her long-distance boyfriend, Dae, and to learn more about her late mother’s high school experience. Her romantic plans fall apart as she discovers Dae is in a fake relationship and she starts developing feelings for one of her new classmates, Yuri.

4. Is XO, Kitty a K-drama?

XO, Kitty is a romantic comedy-drama series that heavily incorporates classic K-drama tropes, such as love triangles, contract relationships, and forced cohabitation, within a Western young adult storytelling framework. It is filmed and set in Seoul, South Korea, making it a unique blend of American and Korean influences.

5. Was XO, Kitty renewed for a second season?

Yes, XO, Kitty was successfully renewed for a second season shortly after its 2023 debut on Netflix. Season 2 premiered on Netflix in January 2025.