Season one of “XO, Kitty” left fans on the edge of their seats with multiple cliffhangers: Minho confessed his feelings to Kitty on the plane, Kitty realized she was bisexual and had feelings for Yuri and, to top it all off, she was suspended from the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS) for living in the boys’ dormitory, which is strictly against the rules. Since May 2023, fans have eagerly awaited to find out what happens next. Jenny Han, the producer and creator of the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” universe, did not disappoint with season two, which premiered on Netflix on Jan. 16. Packed with old drama, new characters and even a surprise appearance by beloved character Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), this season delivered everything we hoped for and more — except for the much-anticipated Kitty and Minho kiss (spoiler alert).

For those unfamiliar with “XO, Kitty,” it is a Netflix spin-off of the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” movies. The first season follows the youngest Covey sister, Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart), as she applies for and receives the same heritage scholarship her mom had at KISS. This allows her to move to South Korea during her junior year of high school to reunite with her long-distance boyfriend Dae (Choi Min-Yeong), who attends the same school. However, when she arrives in Seoul, she discovers that Dae has a new girlfriend, Yuri (Gia Kim), the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in the city. Kitty must find a way to win Dae back, adjust to life in a new country and learn more about her mother. Ultimately, the show is about self-discovery, friendship and unexpected love triangles.

Season two picks up exactly where season one left off, with Kitty returning to KISS determined to improve her academics, get over her feelings for Yuri and uncover more about the mysterious Simon her mom followed to Korea — who she later discovers to be her mother’s cousin. From the very first moments, the drama kicks in as Kitty is assigned to a room with Yuri, whose girlfriend Juliana is still not over her. Meanwhile, Minho (Sang Heon Lee) continues to avoid Kitty after she rejects him on the plane.

This season introduces new characters such as Stella (Audrey Huynhn), who becomes a significant figure. From the beginning, she acts mysterious, as if she is hiding a secret. She starts a relationship with Minho, which we later learn was part of her plan to get revenge on his father, a popular figure in the Korean pop industry, for rejecting and humiliating her on a reality show in the past. This leads to her blackmailing Minho’s family and ultimately helping to mend Minho and Kitty’s relationship, as Kitty finds a way to help his family during their crisis. I really enjoyed this storyline; it was fresh, added depth to Minho’s character and provided an engaging mystery for viewers to follow throughout the season.

Additionally, this season featured several clever parallel scenes to “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” including the nostalgic return of Peter Kavinsky, who visits Seoul for a lacrosse tournament. This cameo was a strategic move by Netflix, coinciding with the season two release of Noah Centineo’s show “The Recruit.” It renewed interest in the franchise, prompting many fans to rewatch the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” films or tune into “XO, Kitty” just to see his scenes, generating buzz around the show. I also loved the cameo, as it was able to showcase how much Kitty’s and Peter’s relationship has grown since the last movie.

I can’t end this review without mentioning my favorite scene from season two: the moment when Minho helps Kitty win over her grandmother’s sister. This scene stood out to me for two reasons. First, it showcased Minho’s character growth, proving that even if he was upset with Kitty, he wouldn’t let her face challenges alone. Second, it beautifully highlighted Korean traditions and language. Sometimes, I genuinely forget that Sang Heon Lee is Korean because his British accent is flawless.

However, there were aspects of this season I didn’t enjoy, particularly the storyline surrounding Kitty’s relationship with Yuri. It felt rushed and unresolved, as if the creators were eager to shift the focus to Kitty and Minho’s romance, knowing that’s what the fanbase prefers. As a result, Yuri’s character arc revolved almost entirely around saving her relationship with Juliana, making that her entire personality this season.

To sum up, “XO, Kitty” is a spin-off of the most popular romantic movie franchises, but it stands strong on its own. The show contains a unique blend of American and Korean culture, featuring Korean language, actors and traditions while containing aspects of a usual American teen series. It’s a charming, dramatic show that will make you laugh but also touch your heart at times. As we look forward to a potential season three, more drama is undoubtedly on the horizon, with Kitty returning for another year at KISS. If you haven’t seen the new season, it’s definitely worth a watch before her plane lands back at Seoul National Airport!