Korean dramas have a different kind of romance than American teen dramas. K-dramas are characterized by their slow-burn storytelling, emotional depth, suspense, and layered character development, while American teen series tend to be faster-paced with more straightforward and mature themes.
Netflix tries to marry these two approaches with XO, Kitty, a 10-episode teen romantic comedy that gives the K-drama formula an Americanized twist. This series is set in the same universe as To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and follows the youngest Song-Covey sister, Catherine “Kitty” Song-Covey, and her new adventure in South Korea.
Kitty’s South Korean Adventure
17-year-old Kitty moves to South Korea to attend the same school her late mother once did, in hopes of feeling closer to her and learning more about her past. The relocation also gives her an opportunity to reunite with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae, who goes to the Korean Independent School of Seoul.
What starts as a romantic surprise soon descends into emotional chaos when Kitty discovers that Dae appears to be dating Yuri, one of the richest and most powerful students at the school.
Rapid fire plotting that feels unreal
XO, Kitty is an easy binge with only 10 short episodes, but it has a very different pacing than traditional K-dramas. The series is fast-paced, and realism is often sacrificed for convenience.
Unlikely coincidences are at the heart of Kitty’s journey from the very first episode. She arrives to South Korea alone for the first time and almost immediately meets Yuri, who happens to be a relative of Dae’s family. These handy plot devices persist throughout the season and often make the story feel contrived.
One of the most out-there storylines is that of Kitty unwittingly being assigned to the boys’ dorm, and somehow managing to stay there for a long period of time without school authorities noticing. Moments like these make the show entertaining, but they also make it hard to get fully invested in the story.
Great Supporting Characters Take Center Stage
The supporting characters are more memorable, but Kitty is still the main character. Min-ho, Dae’s best friend, quickly becomes one of the best characters of the season.
His confidence, sarcasm and larger-than-life personality bring just the kind of humor and energy this series needs. His scenes often feel more natural and entertaining than some of the main romantic conflicts.
There are moments when Kitty feels caught up in the role of the matchmaker, much like her involvement in Lara Jean’s story, instead of fully embracing her own identity as the protagonist.
Music That Seems More Promotional Than Purposeful
Where XO, Kitty succeeds is in its soundtrack. The series has a great collection of songs, a few of them being K-pop tracks which work perfectly for the setting.
But the music, so often used, sometimes feels more like advertising than a story. The soundtrack feels a bit overdone, with plenty of songs showing up in scenes without adding to the emotional depth or helping shape the identity of the series.
Investigation of Identity and Sexuality
One of the more meaningful parts of the series is Kitty’s personal journey of self-discovery. The series examines her changing views on her sexuality and offers various perspectives on acceptance and identity.
The series tackles the challenges of discussing LGBTQ+ issues in more conservative settings using characters such as Yuri and her family and offers a healthier, more accepting perspective through Kitty’s relationship with her father.
There are emotional moments that give the show some of its best and most honest storytelling.
The Bottom Line
XO, Kitty Season 1 is a fun teen drama that mixes American storytelling with K-drama influences, even if it sometimes feels too chaotic and unrealistic in how it executes things.
While it is missing the emotional depth and pacing of traditional K-dramas, the series’ lovable cast, entertaining drama and themes of identity make it a fun one-time watch. With another season on the horizon, it will be interesting to see if the show can find a better balance between its two worlds.