Welcome to Disernatively’s deep dive into the world of XO, Kitty – the Netflix rom-com series that races through its backstory like it’s on fast-forward. Netflix is aiming for another mega-hit by cleverly blending the charm of K-Drama with the much-adored ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ franchise.
Kitty – A New Chapter in Seoul
Let’s unwrap this K-Drama mystery box. XO, Kitty is Netflix’s spinoff where the youngest Covey, Kitty, steps into the limelight. She’s on a mission to craft her love story with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae, while following in her elder sister Lara Jean’s well-worn love tracks.
XO, Kitty, born from the genius mind of Jenny Han, steps into a fragile world that could shatter with a touch. At its core, though, it’s all about Kitty (the ever-charismatic Anna Cathcart) as she transforms from a high school junior to the lead of her love story.
Kitty’s Quest – Love and Loss
It’s not just about teenage love and crushes. Kitty’s quest has a heart-tugging twist – she’s trying to connect with her late mother. She does this by following her mother’s old footsteps at KISS—Korea Independent School of Seoul. This subplot deepens Kitty’s character, giving her a depth that was often overshadowed by her older sisters in the original series.
Meet the Seoul Gang
Kitty might have been a charmer as a supporting character, but the gang she meets in Seoul takes things up a notch! There’s Dae, who’s entangled in a fake relationship with the school’s star, Yuri, and has his own family saga to deal with. Then there are Q and Min Ho, Dae’s partners in crime, who offer much more than just comic relief.
Don’t forget about Yuri. Her scenes add a traditional K-Drama flavour to the series’ fairytale-like elements. Plus, her growing dynamic with Kitty is the cherry on top of this drama sundae!
Fun fact: Gia Kim and Sang Heon Lee, who play Yuri and Min Ho, are siblings in real life!
The Lost in Translation Woes
Despite XO, Kitty’s potential to be a sensational cocktail of Hollywood rom-com and K-Drama, the showrunners stumble on the cringe-worthy miscommunication trope. Who wouldn’t be frustrated when dramatic confessions get cut short or meaningful conversations are mysteriously avoided? Yes, folks, this narrative tripwire hampers the storyline more often than we’d like.
A Show of Ensemble Brilliance
But here’s the silver lining. The show truly shines when the ensemble comes together, like a perfect K-pop group harmony. Plus, the soundtrack is like a K-Pop lover’s treasure chest, featuring big names like BTS, Blackpink, Momoland, and Seventeen.
It seems the world agrees too, with XO, Kitty debuting second only to Top Gun on the Netflix Top 10 and being in the Top 10 in 90 countries! Talk about going global!
Fizzling Romance and the Unexpected Spark
Sadly, the reunion of our main couple feels more like a dud than the expected 4th of July firework display. But the real sizzle is found in the subplot between Dae’s buddy Q and his crush Florian. Their chemistry whips up a romantic storm that makes the main course feel, well… a bit bland.
Conclusion: Despite its flaws, XO, Kitty remains an unpretentious show that’s sweet enough not to drop once you’ve started. And sometimes, that is just what we need in Our lives! A little bit of sweetness amidst the sour.