The interlinked series, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (TATBILB) and “XO Kitty,” have come together to crossover in plotlines. The author Jenny Han originally wrote TATBILB as a book, published in April 2014. Wanting to continue this franchise, Han made her newest show, “XO Kitty,” based on the younger sister in the original movie.
The hit trilogy, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” came out in 2018, showcasing the relationship between Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky. While trying to maintain the fake lover’s status, love comes between them, ultimately creating an inseparable bond. The main character Lara Jean confesses that she writes love letters to the guys she’s liked from the past, including boys like Peter Kavinsky and Josh Mcclaren. After they were accidentally mailed by her younger sister, Kitty, Lara Jean starts a fake relationship with Kavinsky, in hopes to distract Mcclaren who happens to be her older sister’s first love. With her older sister at college in Scotland, and her mom passing away when she was little, Lara Jean must navigate her problems on her own.
Continuing the storyline, with all her sisters growing up, Kitty is wanting to pursue life in Seol, Korea to learn more about her mother she’s never met. Encountering challenges like moving across the world by herself, having a language barrier, and not knowing anyone, Kitty has a difficult time adjusting to this new life.
Making her way to the Korean Independence School of Seol (KISS), Kitty meets what becomes her close friend, Q. Together, they go through the hardships of academics and love, as they find their way through high school. Being inseparable together, they both are each other’s therapists when it comes to the boy and girl drama. Coming to KISS, Kitty finds out things about her mom’s past as well as herself.
Even though both are popular series, the idea of continuing the storyline was debated. Some felt the addition of “XO Kitty” was unnecessary, while others loved seeing Kitty’s side of life. Others thought that Kitty had changed, but was it for the better or the worse?
“She’s better now, and not as cringy as before,” freshman Emily New said. Liking XO Kitty more, it’s apparent that since the last movie of TALBILB, Kitty has grown into her now, teenage years and has altered her personality since then. In TATBILB Kitty is very confident and assured, however in XO Kitty she is very put back and sort of shy in the second season.
Freshman Sierra Green states, “I think Kitty has changed for the worse, she was much more sweeter in TATBILB.”
Jenny Han strongly links the two stories with love, as both are stuck in a love triangle and ultimately have to come to a decision, however Kitty hasn’t made one yet. Between the characters Dae, Minho, and Yuri, Kitty can’t make up her mind.
“I like Kitty and Minho… the other ones are just toxic,” Green said. Each character has their own unique qualities in which every student judges who is a better fit with Kitty. Coming off as rude in the first season, Minho has turned into a charming, stereotypical “rich boy” throughout the second season. His personality sparks interest in the viewers, as they find him attractive and intriguing.
However, Dae’s character is studious. He spends most of his time studying to maintain his scholarship at KISS. Yuri is known as the “popular girl,” as she was originally once rivals with Kitty, but they ended up becoming friends. Ending the season with Kitty going with Minho, viewers can’t wait to see who she ends up with in future seasons.
Since Jan. 16, “XO Kitty” has taken off, becoming a new hit series all around Steinbrenner. The characters and drama have become a hot topic for people to talk about as well as the comparison between the show and TATBILB.
