Netflix’s hit spinoff series XO, Kitty has returned for its highly anticipated third season, inviting fans back into the whirlwind world of Katherine “Kitty” Song Covey and her friends at the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS). Premiering on April 2, 2026, the new season wastes no time in plunging viewers into the drama, laughter, and heartfelt moments that have become the show’s signature, all while its young cast navigates the final year of high school and the challenges that come with growing up.
From the outset, Season 3 signals that big changes are in store for Kitty, played by Anna Cathcart, and her circle. According to Netflix’s official description, Kitty enters her senior year with a clear vision: she’s determined to make lasting memories with friends, deepen her family connections in Korea, and—perhaps most importantly—finally define her relationship with Min Ho (Sang Heon Lee). But as any fan of the series will tell you, life rarely goes according to plan, especially at KISS. As the season unfolds, Kitty’s carefully mapped-out future is upended by surprise revelations and emotional upheavals that force her to embrace the unexpected.
The heart of the season is a pivotal Chuseok feast—a traditional Korean celebration honoring ancestors—which quickly turns from a moment of unity to one of division. In episode five, aptly titled “Off the List,” secrets and simmering tensions erupt at the dinner table, fracturing friendships and relationships alike. As showrunner Valentina Garza told Deadline, “At the end of the Chuseok episode, Kitty and Min Ho break up, and Kitty and Q break up as well. This was really where the kettle boils over in the season. Everything falls apart for Kitty.” It’s a moment that leaves Kitty reeling, prompting her to call in reinforcements in the form of her beloved older sister, Lara Jean (Lana Condor).
Lara Jean’s return is a major treat for fans of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise, from which XO, Kitty spun off. Demonstrating the strength of their sisterly bond, Lara Jean fakes a norovirus diagnosis to fly to Seoul and support Kitty in her time of need. Garza explained, “Lara Jean returns the favor when Kitty gets herself into some trouble in the middle of the season and is really able to take the emotional growth that she has been having in her own life and in her own relationship, and use that to impart her big sisterly wisdom to Kitty and to encourage Kitty to focus on herself and to bet on herself, which is something that she’s learned.”
But even as Lara Jean offers guidance, Kitty’s journey is ultimately her own. She must confront the fallout from her fractured relationships, particularly with her best friend Q (Anthony Keyvan). Garza noted the complexity of their dynamic this season: “Q is not being entirely honest with Kitty or with Jin or with himself this season. I think he is confused, and it’s just the messy and complex part of growing up and trying to have more mature relationships.” Despite the turbulence, the two eventually reconcile, reinforcing the show’s core message about the resilience of friendship.
Romance, of course, remains at the forefront. The will-they-won’t-they tension between Kitty and Min Ho, which left viewers on the edge of their seats at the end of Season 2, is finally resolved—at least for now. Garza told Deadline that the creative team wanted to reward fans’ patience: “We really wanted to reward our fans’ patience waiting for us with taking them on an exciting journey in Busan and continuing to live in that will-they-won’t-they tension, but surprising our fans, hopefully, by getting them to that first kiss much sooner than they probably expected.” Still, nothing is ever simple; the couple’s journey is marked by setbacks and hard-earned growth, mirroring the real-life challenges of young love.
Meanwhile, the season doesn’t shy away from tackling mature themes. A pregnancy scare involving Eunice and a positive test for Jiwon adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, reflecting the characters’ transition from adolescence to adulthood. Garza explained the decision to include these storylines: “As I said, this is a season where all of our characters are on the precipice of adulthood, so we were definitely thinking about having some slightly more adult themes in this season. That’s where that pregnancy scare came from. We thought it was also just a really interesting misdirect.” The plotline also provides opportunities for emotional growth, particularly for Alex and his father, as well as for Kitty, who continues to serve as a unifier among her friends.
Another standout arc belongs to Yuri (Gia Kim), whose journey this season is both personal and sartorial. Having lost her financial safety net, Yuri must rebuild her identity—not just as a student, but as a budding fashion icon and as a queer woman. The fashion show sequence, a highlight of the season, showcases Yuri’s creativity and resilience. Garza praised the costume department’s vision: “She’s creating these new outfits from things that she’s thrifting and learning to creatively build her identity through her fashion. We see in the fashion show the culmination of that with this fashion line that I really think speaks to who she is as a queer woman as well.”
Music plays a key role in Season 3, with original songs adding emotional depth to the narrative. Eunice’s debut single “EUNIQ” and Min Ho’s heartfelt ballad “By My Side” are both featured, the latter serving as a callback to a sunrise scene that bookends Kitty and Min Ho’s journey. Garza shared, “For Min Ho, we have ‘By My Side.’ I knew that I wanted to call back to this idea of the sunrise. This is how we start our season with Kitty having what seems like this silly idea about having a sunrise with her friends, but it really becomes a very significant moment for Min Ho and their relationship.”
As the season draws to a close, the characters are left standing on the cusp of adulthood, with one more semester at KISS before graduation. The possibility of a Season 4—and of following Kitty to NYU—remains tantalizingly open. Garza is hopeful but noncommittal: “I know that all of our fans would love to see that. We’re just gonna have to wait and see what happens. We’re very excited to continue to see our characters learn and grow.”
For viewers, XO, Kitty Season 3 delivers a satisfying blend of drama, romance, and personal discovery, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Seoul. Whether you’re rooting for Kitty and Min Ho, invested in the evolving friendships, or simply along for the ride, this season offers plenty to savor—and leaves just enough unresolved to keep fans eagerly awaiting what’s next.