Jenny Han’s To All the Boys franchise continues to expand and dominate with spin-off series XO, Kitty. This teen rom-com follows the adventures of Lara Jean’s younger sister Kitty (Anna Cathcart), as she moves to Korea to pursue love and adventure. This Netflix original contains multiple storylines and interconnected romances throughout its ten-episode run. To make it easier for you folks, I’ve put together a full recap and breakdown of season 1.
Episode 1 – “XO”
XO, Kitty season 1, episode 1 (Credit – Netflix)
Kitty gains a scholarship to a school in Seoul so that she can be with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae. She travels to Korea to be with her boyfriend and to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
While lost in Seoul, Kitty bumps into student Yuri, who takes her to the campus. Yuri is the daughter of a wealthy businessman, President Han, and the school’s Principal, Jina Lim.
Jina questions Yuri about an altercation with a student called Juliana. The housekeeper caught these two girls kissing. Yuri denies it and says she actually has a secret boyfriend. Kitty is then shocked to discover that Yuri is dating Dae.
Episode 2 – “WTF”
It is revealed that Dae and Yuri’s relationship is fake. Yuri doesn’t want anyone to know that she is gay or that she is dating Juliana in secret. Of course, Kitty doesn’t know any of this either. Juliana has been moved away, and her number has been blocked. Dae wants to end this fake relationship, but Yuri pays for his tuition fee, which he now owes her.
Kitty then discovers that her roommates are Dae and his best friends, Q and Min Ho. She’s accidentally been assigned to an all-male dorm, so she orders a plane ticket home.
The following day, President Han forces Dae into a press conference and invites him to join his new internship program. Kitty watches this live and realizes that Dae and Yuri are faking it.
Episode 3 – “KISS”
XO, Kitty season 1, episode 3 (Credit – Netflix)
It’s the first day of school. Dae signs an NDA; he is now tied up in the con. Yuri confesses to him about Juliana, making Dae feel sorry for her. Kitty is bullied by the students, who think she is a psycho stalker.
Kitty’s grades aren’t good enough, and she is assigned a tutor, who happens to be Dae. Kitty befriends Q and plans to set him up with Florian. Yuri is caught cheating, and Jina takes away her credit card.
Kitty is bullied by Min Ho and reveals one of his secrets in retaliation. Dae is upset that she would reveal a secret he had told her. He breaks up with Kitty. Q finds a baby bracelet in Kitty’s belongings. It looks like Kitty’s mother had a secret baby in 1993.
Episode 4 – “TGIF”
Kitty is given a roommate from hell and struggles to sleep or study because of them. She plays matchmaker again, setting Q and Florian up at a TV show binge party.
Q organizes a hiking trip. Kitty hopes to spend some time alone with Dae, but Yuri tags along. Yuri and Kitty argue and challenge each other to a race. At the top of the hill, Kitty finds the hospital where her mother gave birth.
Kitty breaks into the records room at the hospital and finds out that her mother gave the baby up for adoption in Australia. She thinks the half-brother is Alex.
Episode 5 – “TBH”
The students head home for Chuseok, the Korean holiday. Kitty decides to throw a meal for all the people with no family to go home to and as a chance to talk privately with Alex about the adoption.
Min Ho helps Kitty cook the meal. Yuri’s parents argue, so Yuri spends the day with Dae. That night, she intercepts a delivery from Kitty and takes it to Dae. Inside is a private letter and her precious necklace for Dae.
Principal Jina burns a photograph of her with Kitty’s mother, Eve. Kitty tells Alex about her discovery, but Alex has his own revelation. He thinks Professor Lee is his dad.
XO, Kitty season 1 (Credit – Netflix)
Episode 6 – “BYOB”
The students attend Min Ho’s party, where they participate in underage drinking. Kitty decides to find a new boyfriend and eyes up potential partners.
Drunk, Kitty phones Alex, giving away the nature of the party. Then she accidentally messages Lee, who soon arrives to cancel the party with Jina.
Yuri performs a DJ set, and Kitty starts to fall for her. Dae realizes that Kitty is mad at him because he didn’t thank her for the necklace but never received it. He goes to confront Yuri, but the adults end the party early.
Episode 7 – “TIL”
Because of underage drinking, many of the students are thrown into an 8-hour Saturday detention. In the library, Yuri sparks an argument, wearing Kitty’s necklace. Professor Lee and Principal Jina act suspiciously.
While Lee is distracted, Yuri and Kitty investigate, hunting for the 1993 yearbook to prove their mother’s friendship. Yuri’s mom, Jina, looks a little chubby in the photograph. Kitty thinks Jina was pregnant, not her own mom.
During their hunt, Yuri discovers that Jina had Juliana removed from the school. Kitty informs Alex of her discovery. As payback for having Jina expelled, Yuri dumps Dae. He kisses Kitty immediately.
XO, Kitty season 1, episode 7 (Credit – Netflix)
Episode 8 – “LFG”
The students take a camping trip. Kitty is now back with Dae, Min Ho is dating Madison, and Q and Florian are officially together. Yuri tells Kitty the whole story behind her fake relationship with Dae.
Kitty still doesn’t trust Dae, though. He tries to win her back with a romantic date. Min Ho does the same for Madison. Kitty and Dae’s date is perfect, ending with the couple kissing. Min Ho’s isn’t as successful. Madison confirms that they aren’t serious.
Back at the tents, Kitty helps Yuri contact Juliana. While those two lovebirds chat, Kitty grows jealous. She clearly has strong feelings for Yuri.
Episode 9 – “SNAFU”
It’s nearing finals, and Kitty asks her roommates to help her study. Alex meets with Jina, telling her that he is her son. Jina confesses to her husband about the secret child. Yuri overhears the conversation. Yuri confronts her mom, telling her that she is gay and loves Juliana. She decides to leave home and bunk with Kitty and the boys.
At the talent show, Jina lets slip that Kitty knew about Alex. Yuri and Kitty argue on stage. Kitty accidentally sets off some fireworks, and her outfit catches fire. Min Ho saves her. Kitty admits that she has feelings for someone else. Dae assumes it is Min Ho.
XO, Kitty season 1 (Credit – Netflix)
Episode 10 – “OTP”
Dae fights with Min Ho. Kitty admits that she has feelings for Yuri. Dae storms off. Jina tells Professor Lee the truth, informing him that Alex is his son. Jina wants to make things right. She promises to spend more time with Alex and invites Juliana back to Seoul.
That morning, the finals results are published. Florian cheats and finishes top, beating Dae. Kitty passes, meaning she can stay. This celebration is short-lived, though. Jina discovers that Kitty has been sleeping in the male dorms and expels her.
Kitty says her goodbyes. Jina hands Kitty an old letter from her mom. Inside, it talks of a man called Simon, whom Kitty thinks was Eve’s first love. Dae chases after Kitty to the airport. Kitty splits up with Dae. Yuri is reunited with Juliana. On the plane, Kitty finds herself seated next to Min Ho. He tells Kitty that he is in love with her.
And that completes my recap of XO, Kitty Season 1 (Episodes 1-10). What are your thoughts on the story? Comment and join the discussion below.
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