XO, Kitty Season 3, featuring Katherine Song Covey, premiered all eight episodes on Thursday, April 2nd. As a continuation of the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before universe, the season follows Kitty as she approaches her senior year at the Korea International School (KISS) after a summer in New York.

The Heart of XO, Kitty: Family and Connection

The strongest elements of XO, Kitty have always centered on the relationships Kitty builds in Seoul. Whether with her friends at KISS or newly discovered relatives, the show excels at portraying Kitty’s journey of connecting with her roots while forging a life outside of Portland.

A Season Overloaded with Storylines

However, Season 3 often feels weighed down by storylines that don’t fully coalesce. While the relationships within and around KISS remain a highlight, the season’s romances struggle to reach satisfying conclusions. Resolutions to key questions regarding Kitty and Min Ho are present, but feel somewhat strained.

Strong Ensemble Cast Shines

Despite the narrative challenges, the cast of XO, Kitty delivers a compelling performance. The dynamics between characters remain a strong point, with the actors bringing a fun and supportive energy to their scenes. The core group – Kitty, Yuri, Min Ho, Dae, and Q – particularly shine as they experience senior year milestones.

Too Much Drama, Not Enough Payoff

XO, Kitty Season 3 attempts to emulate the intensity of k-dramas, but often feels overstuffed with drama. The season jumps between timelines, focusing on specific events rather than a consistent narrative flow. This results in viewers being dropped into new situations without sufficient context, relying more on being told the story than shown it.

Unlike previous seasons, which featured a clear antagonist like Jina Lim or Stella Choi, Season 3 spreads the “villainous” role across multiple storylines, creating ambiguity and making it difficult to form clear allegiances.

Callbacks to *To All The Boys*

Season 3 includes numerous references to the To All The Boys films. While seeing Lara Jean again was a welcome surprise for some, many of these Easter eggs felt forced and detracted from Kitty’s individual journey. The callbacks sometimes made Kitty feel more like Lara Jean than her own person.

A Potential Finale

Although Netflix hasn’t confirmed it, XO, Kitty Season 3 feels like a potential series finale. Despite its flaws, the season remains an enjoyable ride, emphasizing the importance of the family Kitty has built throughout her journey. The season receives a 6/10 rating.