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Image: Netflix, YouTube
First things first: A DETERRENT WARNING: Nothing makes sense in XO, Kitty season 2! This is the time of year when you set reason aside and binge-watch a lighthearted, mindless teen drama in which you find yourself judging everything but unable to put it down. Do you know how people sometimes compare cheesy TV shows to an unavoidable bad car accident? Kitty is exactly that, XO! Following a tumultuous first year at the Korean Independent School of Seoul, also known as K.I.S.S., Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) is eager to cause mayhem once more.
Kitty, the matchmaking younger sister of original lead Laura Jean (Lana Condor), was the focus of Netflix's XO, Kitty. The show started out as a corny spin-off of the well-liked To All the Boys I've Loved Before franchise. While somewhat insubstantial, its first season was vibrant and enjoyable, enjoying the use of well-known romance and K-dramatic tropes. However, as it enters its second semester, the show has matured somewhat, much like its heroine.
Plot of the series
Min-Ho (Lee Sang-Heon) makes a big love confession to her on the plane at the end of season 1, and season 2 begins with her turning down his proposal. Things between the two have been awkward ever since. Five minutes after their breakup, poor Dae (Choi Min-Young) is unaware that his best friend has confessed his love to his ex-girlfriend. Because she still harbours feelings for Yu-Ri (Gia Kim), Kitty rejects Min-Ho. Juliana (Regan Aaliyah) remains the object of Yu-Ri's intense affection. Juliana, however, is envious of Yu-Ri's intimacy with Kitty. Praveena (Sasha Bhasin) is Kitty's new love interest Speaking of potential romantic partners, Quincy (Anthony Keyvan) has his rivals in addition to his new roommate, Stella (Audrey Hunhy), who asks Min-Ho out. Arc, and Eunice (Ryu Han-Bi) become Dae's companions.
Should I create a periodic table or is someone else keeping track?
At one point in the show, everyone is upset with one another and has a crush on someone they shouldn't be. Even though it's obvious from the first episode that we're going to be dealing with a group of confused teenagers, we find ourselves unable to stop watching despite our harsh judgment. They can quarrel all they want, but the group does help out when someone is in need. Additionally, popular K-pop songs are adding a lot of personality, just like in the previous season and this time, too. From Jungkook's Seven to New Jeans' Hype Boy, the creators are skilled at winning over Hallyu Wave fans!
The refreshing and realistic portrayal of young adult life
It's difficult to grow up, which is likely why there are so many TV series that focus on the unique emotional highs and lows of adolescence. The best of them, however, develop alongside their characters, evolving as they do and mirroring their evolving sense of self. To focus more on the series' ensemble feel and explore the relationships between its characters in novel and intriguing ways, Season 2 abandons some of the more juvenile aspects (the frequent slapstick humour) that marred its first season.
The size of Kitty's friend group grows, supporting characters are given more opportunities to shine, and the show emphasizes that relationships, romantic and otherwise, can take many forms. For a teen drama, it takes a surprisingly realistic stance: Not all crushes end happily, and not all romances are meant to last.
However, these encounters are essential components of this developmental stage of young adulthood, when you're not only determining your identity but also the type of person you wish to be. Due to Min Ho's wealth, numerous significant issues have been resolved. For better or worse, Kitty's love life—or lack thereof—continues to play a significant role in the narrative.
The show is incredibly thoughtful in how it depicts and prioritizes the various relationships between and among Kitty and her friend group, even though you might occasionally find yourself rolling your eyes at her ability to get in her way and/or unintentionally cause drama. Indeed, these children frequently act in a self-centred manner, tell lies, or conceal information when they ought to speak the truth.
However, they also listen to each other when they have hurt someone, express regret for errors and inappropriate conduct, and show up when it counts most, even though some of them might not be conversing with each other at that moment. Although the eight episodes of Season 2 feature more romances than ever before (all of which were available for critics to view), Kitty is resolutely honest about the fact that the friendships at the core of the show are always the most significant relationships.
The Seamless Blend of Korean and American Lives- Peter Kavinsky Cameo
Season 2 begins around a month after the tumultuous events of the first season finale. Kitty has returned to KISS for her second semester to start over. Instead, she plans to spend time with her best friend Q (Sasha Bhasin), focus on her studies, connect with her Korean heritage, and learn more about her mother, who passed away before Kitty was old enough to remember her. The discovery of a school time capsule from the year Eve Song attended and a letter that promises to permanently alter her perception of her family certainly set the stage for a promising start in that respect.
This season of XO, Kitty, we don't get a Lara Jean cameo as rumoured, but we do get the next best thing: Noah Centineo, who was dropped by Peter Kavinsky. This is one of those infrequent occasions when giving the people what they want also advances the plot. Both the protagonist and the audience experience a moment of relief and perspective when Peter reaches the climax of Kitty's drama. His role in the episode is to ask the quiet parts aloud for our tumultuous people-pleaser, but Kitty's not-yet-brother-in-law (they're only 22!) is in town for some shoehorned sports-related reason. That guy is clearly in love with you; who is he? How is the situation with your roommate going for you? Even though everyone is upset with you, would you like a hug? The series benefits from this welcome and familiar check-in.
The swoon-worthy romance between MinHo and Kitty- Leaving us yearning for more
This season, Min-Ho was my favourite character. The sassy conversations continue, but the second chapter reveals a much more mature and emotional side of him. The scene where Kitty speaks to him in Korean and he responds, "I can't believe you just assaulted my ears with that," was one of the ones that made me laugh aloud.
This season also features Min-Ho's father, who gives you insight into why he is the way he is, why he yearns for love, why he wants to please his father, and why he uses sarcasm to hide his inner feelings. You just take whatever you can find this season because there are so many mismatched couples looking for Min-Ho and Kitty crumbs! The tension between You will be captivated until the very end by the tension between them. In season 2, Min-Ho and Kitty are experimenting with various romantic interests, but they know in their hearts that they are the endgame!
Peter, we also recognize the similarities between XO, Kitty and To All The Boys I've Ever Loved. Numerous scenes bring back memories of Lara and Peter's initial romance. The scene where Kitty pretends to faint on the track and Min-Ho rushes to her, as well as the two having their hot tub moment, will transport you back to the original film's premiere five years ago. If that wasn't the height of romance, I don't know what is! Min-Ho and Kitty also get soaked in the rain, which gives them a strong Bollywood Peak Romance vibe.
The season's subplots aren't all that strong, to be fair. Anything that has to do with Min Ho's father supposedly "teaching" the art classes is pretty absurd, as is the contest he eventually holds for students in his voice class. A major mystery that is entertaining to watch develops in a very quick and wildly convenient way.
Even though you might occasionally find yourself rolling your eyes, XO, Kitty's second season is an insane ride. A lot happens with these teenagers, including relationship changes, finding a mole in the new gang, dealing with parental issues, and more. This is the ideal combination of superficial clichés and endearing romance to make for a guilty pleasure watch as the year strides in its onset.
Views expressed by the author are their own.