XO Kitty Season 3 review: Romance soars in this messy, lovable and chaotic chapter

DUBAI 22°CGOLD/FOREXPRAYER TIMESNEWSLETTERSLOGIN GOLD/FOREXDUBAI 22°CPRAYER TIMES ENTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENTHOLLYWOODBOLLYWOODSOUTH INDIANMUSICOTT XO Kitty Season 3 review: Romance soars in this messy, lovable and chaotic chapter XO Kitty returns for Round 3, and is messier than ever, and just as endearing Well, well, and well. That was a year-long wait. Netflix’s American-Korean comfort teen drama returned today, a year after a cliffhanger that had fans churning out edits, conspiracy theories and entering into shipping wars. And then, there was finally the countdown, which ‘ship’ will win? Well to be honest, the promos and trailers were quite clear that Anna Cathcart and Sangheon Lee’s chemistry was such a surefire hit, that you won’t doubt ever who the ‘endgame’ is.  But enough chitchat. Xo Kitty Season 3 picks up exactly after we left off, with Kitty (Cathcart) and Minho (Lee) sharing a significant moment. Kitty had finally realised her feelings for Minho, and was on the verge of confessing to him, but instead decided to ask whether she could go on a world tour with him. Nervousness strikes, and she decides to only join him for a night in Busan, where he is going manage Eunice, a rising K-Pop star, and the winner of his father’s talent contest, last semester. Minho is gathering a few clues that at long last, his feelings might just be reciprocated, but is rather unsure, because our heroine is a little all over the place. Cathcart shines in these aspects, and her comedic timing is even better than ever, especially when it comes to displaying Kitty's internal monologues. But yes, in a gloriously romantic setting, all is confirmed, and so senior year kicks off with the two happy, and completely in love. Minho abandons his snarky diva personality, though we occasionally see welcome glimpses of it; he is now the perfect boyfriend, and oh don't make me say it...what the Gen Z. lingo would call 'green flag'. This is one of the most endearing part of the series, because it captures the idyllic ‘honeymoon’ phase of a relationship, when everything seems too bright and sparkly. Yet, apart from a snarky roommate to contend with, Kitty’s insecurities burst forth like a dam over a very contrived plot device (no spoilers), that felt written in just to drive our new lovers apart.  Yet on the good side, the cascade of miscommunications and cold wars also revealed: Kitty isn’t the one who has to work on her issues, even if she made a wild miscalculation, that granted, can't be immediately forgotten. Minho has grown up never feeling like he’s enough for anyone, and he, had put all his hopes on Kitty, believing that she would never let him down. Her error in judgment breaks something in him, only for him to realise that she too, is human and can be forgiven for jumping to conclusions. Nevertheless, it takes a while for them to reach that point, and it involves much yearning, angst, and teary, quiet breakups, with both actors breaking the viewers hearts in the process.  Truly, Lee and Cathcart did a strong job in one of the messiest episodes of the season. Minho’s broken expression when he realises that someone he loves, truly believed the worst of him, is one for the books.  There’s a welcome presence of Lara Jean, Kitty’s older sister, who runs to cheer her up, when things get rough. Yet, in one of the subtly empowering scenes where Lara Jean meets Minho, she doesn’t tell him that Kitty has been a mess. Quite the contrary, she makes it clear, that her sister, is doing well, and is the best person to have around in your corner.  And that’s where the show shines. Kitty doesn’t spend too much time moping, though there are glimpses of yearning and sadness quite often. She’s got other things to do. That’s our chaos queen!  But thankfully, all is well, and ‘endgames’ are secured in the most cinematic way possible. However, XO Kitty doesn’t just focus on the heart-stopping romances; it also celebrates warm, well-knit friendships—most notably between Yuri (Gia Kim) and Kitty. Yuri is rebuilding her life from scratch and finally stepping beyond her romantic storylines. She discovers her passion for fashion, and the whole squad rallies to support her, just as they did for Dae in the previous season. That said, some storylines feel underdeveloped, like cousin Jiwon and Alex’s relationship, which deserved more depth and attention. We have time for more romances, now don't we? And what about Q and Kitty, the golden friendship of the show? They face their difficult moments too and realise that they really need each other for advice, because one makes questionable choices without a good friend. Anthony Keyvan is absolutely brilliant in Episode 5, which rules as the most intense episode of the series, as he too, struggles with his own vulnerabilities of what he really wants in life and well, in his own romantic relationships. He makes mistakes, and has to spend time repenting. It's not easy, forgiveness takes its own course.  Nevertheless, XO Kitty ties together well at the end. Just like its characters, its messy, got its flaws, but has so much heart and love, that it’s hard to not be endeared by it. It’s healing, oddly, and perhaps, just what the doctor ordered for romantics right now. XO, Kitty Season 3 trailer drops XO Kitty Season 3: UAE release time and episode guide Lakshana N PalatAssistant Features EditorLakshana is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience. She covers a wide range of stories—from community and health to mental health and inspiring people features. A passionate K-pop enthusiast, she also enjoys exploring the cultural impact of music and fandoms through her writing.Show MoreGet Updates on Topics You ChooseDaily UpdatesFinanceBusinessWeekendSportAsk Gulf NewsLuxury TravelEditor's MessageBy signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.GET UPDATESUp Next Related Stories What to expect from XO Kitty Season 3 Before XO Kitty: Revisiting Secret Ingredient XO, Kitty Season 3 trailer drops XO, Kitty Season 3: Lana Condor returns as Lara Jean