I went into Season 3 of XO, Kitty expecting more of the same light, slightly chaotic teen romance energy, and it absolutely delivers that, but also manages to surprise me in ways I didn’t fully anticipate. This season feels more confident in its identity, even when the plot occasionally feels like it’s been assembled by someone throwing darts at a board labeled “dramatic complications.”
Kitty, played with infectious charm by Anna Cathcart, continues to be both the emotional center and the primary agent of chaos. What I appreciated this time is that her impulsiveness is treated with a bit more consequence. Earlier seasons sometimes let her bounce from mistake to mistake with minimal fallout, but here, the show actually pauses to examine what it means to constantly act on instinct. That doesn’t mean she stops making questionable decisions—if anything, she gets more creative with them, but the writing gives those choices more emotional weight.
The central plotline leans heavily into identity, both romantic and personal. Kitty’s exploration of her feelings, particularly in relation to Yuri, Min Ho, and her lingering emotional ties to Dae, becomes less about “who will she choose” and more about “does she even know what she wants.” I liked that shift. It makes the love triangle feel less like a checklist and more like a messy, ongoing process. Still messy, though. Very messy. At one point, I genuinely considered drawing a diagram just to keep track.
Yuri, played by Gia Kim, gets more depth this season, which was long overdue. Her storyline steps outside of just being part of Kitty’s romantic confusion and dives into her independence, her relationship with her family, and her own ambitions. These scenes are some of the strongest in the season, largely because they slow things down and let characters exist without a dramatic reveal every five minutes. Min Ho, portrayed by Sang Heon Lee, continues to be a standout, mostly because he feels like the only person who reacts to situations with something close to realism. His arc this season adds vulnerability without stripping away his humor, and the writing finally acknowledges that he’s more than just the sarcastic rich kid. His dynamic with Kitty is especially compelling, though the show does occasionally stretch their tension to the point where it feels like it’s being preserved for future seasons rather than resolved satisfactorily.
Now, let’s talk about the pacing, because this is where Season 3 both shines and stumbles. On one hand, the episodes move quickly, rarely dragging, and there’s always something happening. On the other hand, there’s always something happening. Important emotional beats sometimes get squeezed between plot twists like they’re trying to catch a train. A character will have a meaningful realization, and before it can fully land, someone else walks in with a secret, a misunderstanding, or a sudden confession that resets everything. It’s entertaining, but also mildly exhausting.
The writing continues to lean into humor, and for the most part, it works. Kitty’s internal logic remains consistently amusing, especially when she’s absolutely convinced she’s doing the right thing while the audience watches the situation spiral. The dialogue feels natural, though occasionally it veers into overly neat resolutions where conflicts wrap up a little too conveniently. Not always, but enough times that you start to notice a pattern.
Visually, the show remains polished. Seoul is once again presented in a way that feels vibrant without turning into a travel ad. The cinematography is clean, the color palette is bright without being overwhelming, and the school setting continues to feel lived-in. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s effective, and it supports the tone of the series well. One of the more interesting developments this season is how it handles family. Kitty’s connection to her mother’s past continues to be a thread, and while it doesn’t dominate the narrative, it adds a layer of emotional grounding that the romantic plotlines sometimes lack. These moments are quieter, more reflective, and honestly, some of my favorites because they don’t feel like they’re trying to impress you—they just exist.
That said, the show still struggles with consistency. Some character arcs feel carefully developed, while others seem to shift depending on what the plot needs in that particular episode. There are moments where motivations feel slightly off, not completely out of character, but just enough to make you pause and think, “Wait, would they actually do that?” It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does pull you out of the story occasionally. And then there’s the drama. I understand that heightened drama is part of the appeal, but Season 3 occasionally crosses into territory where it feels like it’s competing with itself to see how many complications it can introduce in a single episode. Misunderstandings pile up quickly, and while some are genuinely engaging, others feel a bit forced, as if the show doesn’t trust its characters to carry the story without constant upheaval.
Despite these issues, I found myself consistently entertained. There’s an energy to the series that’s hard to resist. It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not, and when it leans into its strengths—character chemistry, humor, and emotional sincerity—it really works. The cast has settled into their roles comfortably, and that familiarity translates into performances that feel natural and engaging.
By the time the season wraps up, I was both satisfied and slightly frustrated, which feels like the intended experience. Satisfied because the characters have grown and certain arcs have progressed in meaningful ways, and frustrated because the show clearly enjoys leaving things unresolved just enough to keep you coming back. It’s effective, even if it means yelling “just talk to each other” at your screen more than once. Season 3 doesn’t reinvent the series, but it refines it. It’s still chaotic, still romantic, still occasionally ridiculous—but now it’s also a bit more self-aware and emotionally grounded. And while it may not always stick the landing, the journey is entertaining enough that you’re willing to forgive the occasional stumble.
Final Score- [6.5/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
Follow @AnjaliS54769166 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times