'XO, Kitty', a spinoff from the 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' film series, is the first-ever Netflix original series derived from a Netflix original movie. Produced by Jenny Han, and starring Anna Cathcart, Choi Min-young, Kim Ji-ah, Lee Sang-Hyun, and Anthony Kevin, it's a Korean-American fusion of a campus rom-com, a must-watch for fans of Korean and American dramas alike! Season one launched on Netflix on May 18, 2023. Let's delve into the nine irresistible reasons to love this show!
—- Spoilers Ahead —-
—- Spoilers Ahead —-
Emily heads to Korea!
For the fans of 'Emily in Paris', this time, it's like, the setting has shifted to a Korean campus!
In the series, Kitty (played by Anna Cathcart) decides to relocate to Seoul, Korea, to pursue her mother's past and continue her relationship with her pen pal, Dae (played by Choi Min-young). She embarks on this exciting new journey with dreams of romance and adventure in a foreign land. However, upon arrival, she finds reality differs from her dreams. Her boyfriend now has a new girlfriend (played by Kim Ji-ah), a rich heiress. In her moments of despair, Kitty still strives to uncover her late mother's past at 'KISS High School'.
Cross-cultural Collisions in 'XO, Kitty'
Approximately half of the dialogue in the series is in Korean, and the other half is in English. Conversations within Korean families mostly occur in Korean, while English dominates communications within the international school setting.
The series also explores many cultural differences between Korea and the US. For instance, Korean classrooms tend to emphasize exams and decorum, pushing Kitty, who was brimming with ideas and never scored below an A- in the American education system, to the brink of expulsion.
Moreover, Koreans under the age of 21 are prohibited from drinking alcohol, and school administrators show up at parties to enforce this ban, dishing out extra punishment to those in attendance.
A K-pop Soundtrack Galore
You'd be pleasantly surprised to hear Blackpink's 'Pink Venom' and a multitude of other tracks from BTS, Seventeen, Twice, Somi, among others in this show. With a star-studded lineup of 70 soundtracks, expect plenty of surprises as you tune into the series. The original scores are equally captivating.
Wondering which episode features which soundtrack? Check out What’s on Netflix：Link
Spin-off from Netflix's 'To All the Boys'
Netflix's new series, 'XO, Kitty', is a 10-episode spin-off from the popular trilogy 'To All the Boys' that aired from 2018 to 2021. The new series features Kitty, the younger sister from the movies, portrayed by Anna Cathcart, leading us into her adventures in Korea. However, not having watched the movies is no barrier to enjoying this series.
While the protagonist of the movies, Lara Jean (portrayed by Lana Condor), doesn't make an appearance in the series, the close connection between Kitty and her sister Lara Jean is intermittently presented in the series, which undoubtedly satiates the fans of 'To All the Boys' who miss the original characters.
Matchmaker Kitty! Anna Cathcart
Kitty Song-Covey, portrayed by Anna Cathcart, is a dynamic, quick-witted, and outspoken young girl who often exhibits care and concern for her two sisters. In the movies, she played a key role in mailing her sister Lara Jean's secret love letters.
Anna Cathcart (born June 16, 2003) is a Canadian actress of Chinese and Irish descent. She started her acting career with her role as Olympia in the PBS Kids/TVOKids series 'Odd Squad' (2016-2019), which earned her a Canadian Screen Award. She then played Dizzy Tremaine in Disney Channel's movies 'Descendants 2' (2017) and 'Descendants 3' (2019), Kitty Song-Covey in Netflix's 'To All the Boys' series (2018-2021), and the title role in the Brat web series 'Zoe Valentine.'
Min Ho, by Sang-Heon Lee! Sees Rising Popularity
Playing the somewhat arrogant and impolite Min Ho in the series, Sang-Heon Lee saw a significant rise in popularity following the show's release. His Instagram followers skyrocketed from 70k to 3 million, making him one of the most popular characters in the show. The 27-year-old Lee Sang-Heon, who was a model previously, makes his acting debut with 'XO, Kitty'!"
Having spent his childhood and adolescent years mainly in Hong Kong, Lee Sang-Heon boasts a multicultural and diverse background. His international school education in Hong Kong sparked his interest in drama, leading him to major in the subject at the University of Northampton in the UK. After completing his studies and mandatory military service in Korea, he ventured into the acting industry, where he gradually began to stand out. As a result, his English carries a touch of a British accent.
He's also set to feature in the upcoming 2023 sports drama, 'Gran Turismo.'
Dae – Our Male Lead Choi Min-yeong
The character 'Dae' might seem familiar to many viewers. In fact, Choi Min-yeong, the 21-year-old rising actor, has already delivered outstanding performances in several well-known productions despite his young age. His solid acting as Nam Joo-hyuk's younger brother Baek Yi-hyun in 'Twenty-Five Twenty-One' (2022) left a strong impression.
In 'XO, Kitty', Choi Min-yeong not only tackles more romantic scenes but also showcases his multilingual charm with fluent English.
The male lead 'Dae' (portrayed by Choi Min-yeong) is Kitty's online friend of four years. While they consider each other lovers, they've never met in person. When Kitty decides to fly all the way from the US to surprise him, she finds out that he has another girlfriend... For reasons he can't express, he ends up hurting Kitty.
Yuri! Gia Kim and the Struggles of Being Gay
The character 'Yuri' is portrayed by the up-and-coming actress Gia Kim, who appears as the headmaster's daughter and a privileged young lady.
Yuri lives under the strict surveillance of her parents, her actions severely restricted due to her family's status. Her homosexuality is hidden under the pretense of being Dae's girlfriend, due to her parents' disapproval.
When Yuri confronts her mother, saying, 'You care about your reputation more than accepting your daughter's homosexuality. Has anyone in our family been happy?' she reveals the societal misunderstanding and discrimination against homosexuality. The show's depiction of coming to terms with and bravely pursuing one's sexual orientation is remarkably accurate.
Surprise Cameo! Yuzo Kan
To the audience's delight, Yuzo Kan also makes a cameo appearance! He plays a super-famous star in the series, causing an uproar whenever he steps out of his car. Although he doesn't have much screen time, his presence is quite significant.
The preparation for the second season has officially been announced, but no specific release date has been confirmed yet, leaving many viewers eagerly waiting. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the sparks that fly among Yuri, Min Ho, and Kitty in the next season!
XO, Kitty | Official Season One Trailer
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