XO, Kitty Season 3 Review: Charming Yet Uneven Netflix Teen Drama Falls Short on Romance

XO, Kitty Season 3, created by Jenny Han, returns with Kitty Song Covey navigating her final year of high school, balancing love, friendships, and life-changing decisions. streaming on Netflix, the new season attempts to tie up lingering storylines while introducing emotional stakes tied to adulthood and identity.

Set against the backdrop of senior year milestones and looming college choices, the season follows Kitty (Anna Cathcart) as she races to confess her feelings to Min Ho Moon (Sang Heon Lee). With returning relationships, new complications, and a spontaneous detour to Busan setting the stage, the show promises emotional depth—but doesn’t always fully deliver.

A Promising Start That Loses Emotional Depth

The season opens with urgency, as Kitty attempts to confront her feelings before time runs out. A vibrant Busan sequence, complete with a glamorous yacht party, injects energy into the narrative and sets up key emotional turning points.

However, despite the promising setup, the storytelling often feels rushed. Major emotional beats—particularly those involving Kitty and Min Ho—pass too quickly, leaving little room for tension or payoff to develop naturally.

For a series rooted in the romantic legacy of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, this lack of emotional build-up is noticeable.

The Mooncovey Arc: Chemistry Without Closure

The central relationship between Kitty and Min Ho—popularly dubbed “Mooncovey” by fans—remains the season’s biggest missed opportunity. While the show hints at unresolved tension and emotional longing, it rarely pauses long enough to explore these feelings in depth.

The chemistry between Anna Cathcart and Sang Heon Lee is evident, but the script doesn’t give their relationship the space it needs to evolve convincingly.

The romance feels less like a slow burn and more like a series of sparks that never quite ignite into a full flame.

As a result, what should have been the emotional core of the season ends up feeling underdeveloped, leaving fans wanting more—quite literally.

Strong Performances Keep the Series Afloat

If the writing occasionally falters, the cast ensures the show remains engaging.

Anna Cathcart continues to anchor the series with charm and sincerity. She brings a relatable mix of impulsiveness and vulnerability to Kitty, making her easy to root for even when the narrative feels inconsistent.

Sang Heon Lee’s portrayal of Min Ho is more restrained this season. While his performance is nuanced, the limited character development restricts his ability to fully explore Min Ho’s emotional layers.

In many ways, the actors do the heavy lifting—elevating scenes that might otherwise fall flat.

Secondary Storylines Shine Brighter

Interestingly, it is the supporting characters who provide some of the season’s most compelling moments.

The evolving dynamic between Q (Anthony Keyvan), Jin (Joshua Hyunho Lee), and Marius (Sule Thelwell) stands out as one of the show’s strongest arcs. Their storyline blends humour with emotional nuance, exploring the complexities of friendship, attraction, and identity.

Anthony Keyvan brings natural charisma to Q, while Joshua Hyunho Lee’s Jin adds subtle intrigue. The addition of Marius introduces tension that feels organic and engaging, making this subplot one of the highlights of the season.

Yuri’s Arc Adds Emotional Weight

Gia Kim’s Yuri emerges as one of the most compelling characters this season. Her storyline, centered around family struggles and personal growth, carries genuine emotional stakes.

Yuri’s journey feels grounded and meaningful, offering a contrast to the more rushed romantic arcs. It’s the kind of storytelling the main plot could have benefited from.

On the other hand, Minyeong Choi’s Dae is noticeably sidelined. Once a central figure in Kitty’s story, his character receives minimal development, making his presence feel more like an afterthought than an integral part of the narrative.

A Nostalgic Cameo That Leaves You Wanting More

Fans of the original To All the Boys trilogy will appreciate the brief appearance of Lara Jean (Lana Condor). While the cameo adds a layer of nostalgia, it also highlights what the series is missing—deeply felt, well-developed romance.

The moment is enjoyable, but it underscores the gap between expectation and execution in Season 3.

The Show’s Core Strength: Warmth and Relatability

Despite its flaws, XO, Kitty retains its signature warmth. The series continues to excel in portraying the chaos and comfort of teenage life—friendships, academic pressures, identity struggles, and first loves.

There is an earnestness in how the characters support each other, even when they are figuring things out themselves. This emotional authenticity keeps the show engaging, even when the narrative structure wobbles.

It’s the kind of series that feels like a cozy conversation with friends—imperfect, but heartfelt.

Analysis: Where Season 3 Falls Short

The biggest issue with Season 3 is pacing. In its attempt to wrap up multiple storylines within eight episodes, the show sacrifices emotional depth for narrative efficiency.

Key relationships, especially Mooncovey, needed more time to breathe. Instead, they are condensed into moments that feel fleeting rather than transformative.

Additionally, the uneven focus—where side characters receive more compelling arcs than the leads—creates an imbalance that affects the overall storytelling.

That said, the season still succeeds in maintaining audience investment, largely due to its strong performances and relatable themes.

Final Verdict: Charming, But Not Fully Satisfying

XO, Kitty Season 3 is a charming yet frustrating watch. It has all the ingredients of a great teen drama—likable characters, engaging subplots, and emotional resonance—but falls short in execution, particularly in its central romance.

There is enough heart and humour to keep viewers hooked, but the lack of depth in key storylines prevents it from reaching its full potential.

In the end, Season 3 gives closure—but not quite the emotional payoff fans were hoping for.

For fans of the series, it’s still worth the watch. Just don’t expect the Mooncovey magic to fully bloom.

Rating: 3/5

Streaming on: Netflix (8 episodes)