LOVE LETTERS 💌 an XO Kitty fancomic: written for Round 1 of the @yuriolympics (Prompt: Communication)
XO, Kitty has my favorite coming out scene of any media. When I was in the closet, I found myself often asking silently, “Why can’t you accept me? I’m right here.” Hearing my exact words echoed onscreen by the characters gave me an immense feeling of solidarity. XO, Kitty’s exploration of how sapphic identity and Korean culture intertwine is one of my favorite things about it. I hope this comic resonates with you too. 🩷💜
There’s something about doomed middle age women yuri where the main character’s mom is deceased and the other woman is a caretaker who’s still pining after her love that always gets me… I have two nickels
AKA my pitch for expanding the to all the boys i've loved before/xo, kitty universe
--and her friendship with jina lim and what could've been if jina had sent a letter back in reply to eve and kept in touch with her like... friendships drifting apart hurt more than a breakup
i also want a prequel so bad JENNY HAN PLEASE CONSIDER I'M BEGGING
like i want her junior year at k.i.s.s. in detail. her meeting jina and their roommate dynamic/shenanigans
also meeting her cousin seojoon!!
AND THE THREE OF THEM MAKING THE TIME CAPSULE VIDEO IN REAL TIME
eve fighting with her mother because of the ahn family issue
DETAILS ON JINA AND DANIEL / PROFESSOR LEE'S RELATIONSHIP !!! daniel was a musician you know younger him's taking and playing that guitar everywhere and him also making that mixtape for jina when they were dating
ALSO jina's pregnancy arc and how eve helps her out and lets her use her name for the hospital bracelet
and then when eve gets to university (she takes journalism because she wanted to be a journalist as per the time capsule), she meets dan covey at friendsgiving (I NEED THEIR MEET-CUTE ON SCREEN OR EVEN JUST WRITTEN!!!)
and then some backstory on their relationship/marriage all the way up to them having the girls
ALSO a backstory on how eve got the hat box that she eventually passed down to lara jean, who stored her love letters in there which kitty sent out (FULL CIRCLE MOMENT)
it'll be so bittersweet bc we already know how the story ends, but it'll be heartwarming all the same UGHHH i just want it so bad
i'm so invested in this universe what has this show done to meeeee
I spoke into my phone mic throughout my first watch-through of XO, Kitty Season 2 and I've finally finished editing it up so it's neater. So here it is, under the cut to protect others from spoilers. Overall, I'm extremely happy with the season, I'd love to chit chat about it with anybody!
I do apologize if I missed any grammar errors or if there are still misspellings. It was longer than I thought it would be. My thoughts also jump around so I even had to rewatch along with editing to understand what the heck I was saying a couple times lol.
Here <3
Episode 1 Reaction
Lots of squealing and giggling and jaw-dropping in joy- and then at the end my mind was blown at the Stella reveal and I'm sufficiently: 1. Excited to see where this goes and 2. Wow, can I read a girl lol - have a blessed day my butt!
Juliana: Won’t it be like 2:00am in Portland?
Me: Juliana, whose side are you on?
(edit: at this point in my live reaction I was just going to do a blurb for every episode after I finish watching it but as you can tell by episode 2 that did not work. I went from wanting to do a blurb to trying to watch the bulks of it and then put a response to it in but eventually by the end you'll see that the reactions get longer because I kept pausing to react to individual moments and even lines. So that's why there's not much for this even though there was plenty of reaction I promise ♡)
Episode 2 Reaction
I swear if Stella is undercover to try to win this talent show and she does something to undermine Kitty I will probably lose my shit.
She's paying way too much attention to Min Ho and she obviously doesn't like his dad which tells me she has some sort of history with him.
But WOW does Min Ho want to try and move on ‘cause I know he's not over Kitty…
But also I definitely believe that it meant a lot that someone stuck up for him. From what I know about his relationship with his father that really probably meant a lot and if Stella wasn't being genuine in her care towards him that's going to hurt later on.
Everything was moving so fast and now I know why- because Jin tricked Q. I was unnerved by his sudden attention to him but I don't think it was all pretend…
The track moment with Min Ho had me in tears. He's so gullible and he cares so much and I love it.
Dae getting a group of girlfriends to tell the story of last season!? I put it ‘play-by-play’ on my bingo card but I didn't really think it would happen.
Kitty accidentally revealing Yuri/Juliana's relationship in the dorms was a total shocker completely. Honestly. Oh my God, I feel so bad that she did that to Yuri and I know it wasn't on purpose but it's pretty sad.
All I'm saying is that Stella saw Kitty put that stuff in her little box and I don't trust that but also I don't know if Stella would have it out for Kitty unless something crazy happens with Min Ho and she's just one of those girls that has to get revenge or something?
Episode 3 Reaction
I knew that line was to Kitty!!
Yuri! Wtf!? I legitimately did nothing that would happen. I thought it would be too fast for Juliana, or both especially if they’re endgame. I thought we’d need another season for it! And then Min Ho walked in on it!? They both just cheated! One has a girlfriend and the other almost has a girlfriend! And Min Ho walked in on it!!!
But also Kitty crying made me cry. That was literally so sweet of a scene and now it ended like that and now it's chaotic again. Well, I guess it always was…
I gotta’ be honest. I like Praveena a lot.
I like Kitty being a way for Min Ho to get closer to his dad or finding a way to be someone who can be there for him in case it all hits the fan. I love that for them.
I'm really happy that Kitty and Yuri are still getting closer with their mom's history and we're learning more about them and I'm happy that Yuri is someone Kitty can lean on. I'm just torn because of Juliana and Praveena and I don't know. I just don't know…
Episode 4 Reaction
Stella did it! I know she did it and I wish I put it on the bingo card because I tried to keep my hopes up for her that she was not going to be how she is but she is this way oh my Goddddd. I mean, I figured she would have a reason for it. Maybe there's a reason… I don't know what it is but I guess we'll see. But to be fair this could have gone way worse. I feel like we can barreling through plot points and I don't hate it but it's quite the ride.
I feel so bad for Juliana. I thought that for Praveena too but her and Kitty were barely dating so I feel like she could be a little bit more understanding. I mean, I know Kitty said she was over Yuri but come on…
Dae: AdMITTT IT!
Min Ho: 😒
Me: 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I love sassy Dae! He's my favorite one ♡
What is Stella doing? No seriously what is she doing? I feel like she wants an in to win this competition but why? And why go after Kitty?
Poor Dae… I don't even know what to say about that though. I feel like he will forgive Min Ho but I don't know what's going to make that a possibility for him beyond a sincere apology. I would assume that if Min Ho and Kitty are a future thing Dae and Min Ho probably won't really make up before the end of the season because it'll be really tense unless something happens throughout the back half of this season and then it could get cleared up before another season but I'm not sure.
Back to Stella! Did Min Ho’s dad do something to her?
Juliana and Yuri broke up. Shit. That's fucking rough you guys.
Min Ho and Kitty hugged, that was on my bingo card! And ‘Kitty breaking down and somebody comforting her’ was also on my bingo card!
No, I'm not going to lie… I thought Min Ho being in a hot tub and a turtleneck would be a nightmare so that was wrong but you win some you lose some and I feel like I won a little bit lol
But seriously though what is up with Stella like they're keeping me on my toes.
Jin’s apology! Lol
The friendship of Dae and Min Ho is epic- I love it when they team up! Dae with his British accent is the best thing in the world! I love it when he does that. Sassy Dae is literally my favorite one ever. I love him so much! I'm so nervous for him because there's a thing in the promo where he has a devastated look on his face and at this point I'm worried something's going to happen with his father because he was worried about his dad so I think he's going to get a phone call about his father- it's not on my bingo card but I thought about it during like the first episode or something I feel like it should have been on a bingo card but I couldn't figure out why he would have such an awful look on his face on the phone honestly ‘cause I didn't realize it was like health/safety issues were happening.
Honestly though Praveena took that pretty well, I was thinking way worse would happen. I don't know why. I don't know… she was so calm when she reprimanded Kitty. I thought she'd be yelling and screaming for whatever reason, breakup and cheating discoveries are always so dramatic… even though they were barely a thing. It just felt like there was so much tension in the air because of it but she really handled it well and I feel like she'll probably forgive Kitty eventually.
(Rewatch notes:
The snow on Min Ho’s head when he tells the girls about the blizzard is stinkin’ adorable!
Juliana’s speech to Yuri is just so sad before the reveal
‘Would you believe that he’s stalking me?’ Q, you take me out!
When Kitty sinks into Q’s arms I’m just like: Aww poor bby…)
Episode 5 Reaction
Yuri and Alex getting lunch together and talking about drama- that's so exciting and her recognizing and pointing out this flaw that she has and Alex not belittling her for it but encouraging her to grow and encouraging her to look out for someone else and what they need over what she wants is absolutely what I wanted to see this season and with Alex of all people! I am so happy, oh my God.
I hope Stella didn't poison the sandwiches…
“Throw up and die” That look from Min Ho! That look 🤣🤣🤣
They’re matchmakers Oh my God that's great! I love this! Omg!! Min Ho and Kitty are at a matchmaker. What are we doing you guys?
Thank you, Juliana thank you so much for agreeing with Kitty about Stella because we all know it's suspicious. Thank goodness Juliana is here. I love her so much. and she's having this real conversation. I love this for her. I love this for the show. But seriously what was Stella doing in there because what?
Okay the scene in the rain was quite literally the most sweetest thing I've seen ever up to this point. I can't. You guyssssssss, that was so beautiful and literally the sweetest and my heart is breaking for Kitty but I think she's falling in love Min Ho and I can't decide if he has liked her this whole time or if he's starting to like her again. I'm almost I'm 99% sure he's gaslit himself to think he doesn't have feelings for her but I'm pretty sure he has them for her regardless or else he wouldn't do half the things he's done for her this season ‘cause he constantly puts her first constantly and I love it ‘cause this is really what I wanted to see from them. From him specifically :)
“It’s getting quite muddy…” Min Hoooooooo <3
What is going on with Kitty's family though because her great aunt chasing her out of the business was actually insane.
And I want Kitty to know that her mom is amazing in all the ways and so is she.
Good job, Yuri! I'm proud of you. I'm sure that was painful but it was the right thing to do.
Well, now we know what Stella was doing in the cafe. She hates Mr Moon. But why did she have to do that to Min Ho. And what is she gain from tearing him apart to go on his talent show or whatever? To get sympathy points if she doesn't win?
Oh no, Daeeee… this is terrible. I do love that they can set aside their drama to take care of the important things though.
Episode 6 Reaction
Read the room Min Ho. I love you lol
So, they can stand in the same room now but Dae obviously isn't happy with him.
I wonder how Min Ho is handling his dad's stuff as well.
Look at Yuri trying to be a good friend. I'm so proud of her <3
The way I just screamed!!!!!!!!!!! I Like Me Better started playing and I went sooo quiet and I didn't know it was happening and then Peter was there and Kitty was screaming and I was screaming and it's amazing and I'm so happy oh my God!!!!!!!!!
“Peter Kavinsky? Little Peter Kavinsky? You’re as tall as me now!” This quote is what came to my brain, it’s been sooooo long (like a week maybe but lol)
Okay, I was wrong about the letters but this is better.
Oh God, Juliana and Kitty on relatively good terms? I'm loving this anddddd Peter Kavinsky all in one episode? This is amazing!!!
Peter being in the know of all the gossip from the plane confession to info on Juliana and Yuri drama- this is wonderful!!
Me and Kitty are on the same page about Stella, so that's great!
Peter is so nosy and I love it!
“Stop talking.”
“Ping pong?”
“That’s not a thing, Peter.”!!??? God, I hope it’s a thing <3 Let’s make it a thingggg
I'm high-pitched squealing how many ‘Covey’s was that in one scene? No, did somebody count? Because I wasn't counting but it felt like a lot. I was busy freaking out and no I wasn't freaking out because of Min Ho and Peter talking, I was freaking out because of the sparkly pens- lol, no, it was definitely because they were talking. “I think he likes you still” oh my God Peter Kavinsky shut up!
Oh, this is such a big part of her life and their moms have always been their thing to talk about. Of course she had to share this with Yuri. I wonder what Yuri’s going to do to help her? I wish we got more of Yuri during this time.. To be honest
Is he jealous of Peter? Peter is Kitty's sister's boyfriend don't be jealous but also you could have bought Kitty a pen if you wanted to…
I need Min Ho and Dae to make up. It'll be such a payoff at the end of the season when they do.
I'm pausing in the middle of this race to quickly make a prediction that Jin gets hurt so that way Q gets to participate in the race tomorrow. I promise you I'm paused. If he does that I will literally think he's the sweetest thing in the world and I'll stop doubting his feelings for Q. I don't know if that's the best thing to do but also it’d be really sweet.
Literally immediately after I unpaused it he fell.
Jin, I love you so much.
Okay, maybe it wasn't a pretend fall…
Min Ho leaves the room therefore Stella has everyone in a hostage situation. You can't change my mind. God, what is she planning and how is this going to look bad on Kitty because it probably will.
Stella's going to tell everybody.
Madison, I love you. You're so funny. No! It got funnier, I'm sorry lol
You know someone made a horror trailer for Xo, Kitty Season 2 and honestly they were onto something 🤣 I'm not implying this is scary but the suspense is great!
Stella's disappointed! She wanted to cancel it at least a little bit. Dude, Mr Moon did something to her family or her. I don't know what it was yet but I'm sure she'll tell us eventually and honestly he probably deserves this but Min Ho doesn't deserve this.
Rising Stars? What am I missing? When did this take place? How long ago was this competition? What am I missing??
Min Ho and Dae. I love them. My babies. I'm so happy now. I don't know what's going to happen later on in the season when they realize that maybe there's something more to worry about but right now their friendship is so important to them and that's what's important to me. I can't imagine how long they’ve really been friends like they have to be so close…losing something like that would be heartbreaking they were bound to make up.
Yes, Q, yesss you're amazing and I love you good job!!!
Okay, well we got that reveal for Stella thank you Kitty, you are really good at snooping and figuring stuff out. --Hey, what happened to Praveena now that we're talking about sneaking around?
I feel bad for Min Ho I do and I can't be mad at him for getting mad at Kitty because he's trying his best to move on and he does care about Stella and she has been manipulating him into thinking that she is done all these different sketchy things to help him or get closer to him and that she is someone who she's not and I am going to feel awful for what happens for him when he finds out it's not true, if he does… I'm assuming he will because why wouldn't he? We have two more episodes and I get to hear Peter say the most sweetest words to Kitty right now because she needs to remember who she is and I love that he's here and I wish he was staying longer! Oh, Peter Kavinsky, I love you!
At least we're finally accepting what she is. Damn, Stella goes all out lol that's a whole ass spy clock wow. I was wondering what the purpose of that gift was… makes sense now lol
Episode 7 Reaction
PAUSE. The fact that both their dreams consist of the other person saying that they're right about something is actually so funny to me. I was really hoping this wasn't a dream sequence but obviously I'm wrong right off the bat.
But that ‘ I don't even take calculus’ line was great lol.
I'm pretty sure Kitty missing Min Ho was on my bingo card one of the many Bingo cards lol (edit: it was that she would seek out his friendship, I’m counting it!)
I had high hopes for Jin and now I'm really concerned that maybe I put my faith in the wrong trope because obviously it was not that and I am concerned that it's not going to get better at this point.
Why do I always pause it right before the good shit? (me out here doubting Jin’s love and then he does a prom-posal!)
“You're ruining it” oh, I love you guys!
And here I thought Stella was going to give Kitty dirty look… Turns out Min Ho looked at her. I wonder how he feels about that? (missing her I’m sureeee)
She's definitely not jealous.
Dae sitting next to Min Ho unprompted- I love the friendship. I'm still celebrating them making up <3
Min Ho is still mad at Kitty because of course he is but things are going to start adding up real quick I'm sure. If Stella wants to audition hopefully she just uses a different song lol
Yuri and Dae going on a shopping trip? That was on my bingo card and oh my God I love her outfit.! Dae is so cute oh my God stop.
Is Min Ho exploding with q? Does this count as an explosion? (I’m counting it!)
Where is he going he's going to Kitty bet my bottom dollar he is! Maybe. Maybe not…he might be going to his dad instead- that would be disappointing…
I was not disappointed, you guys!!
And the one scene in the promo that gave me pause was no concern at all <3
Kitty’s moments with her family… every time I can't help but like hold my breath.
Kitty and Juliana are on phone calling terms!! Bingo Bingo Bingo????
Ooh more Dua Lipaaaa (this in references to Percy Jackson using a Dua Lipa song at the casino, it’s such a strange comment out of context lol)
What a sweet and simple moment of reconnection for Juliana and Yuri. I love that for them!!
There's Praveena!
Chappelle Roan playing. You guys. I know that that was on Bingo cards!
Q is playing wingman.. Love you, Q!
How do I feel about Min Ho's outfit? Not sure yet….but let's see where this goes :)
Honestly, when I put ‘Love Triangle (any point of view)’ I genuinely did not think it would be Kitty’s point of view.
What is a hostage situation if not this???? How did we get to this point??? What the fuck is going on???? This is not season 1 you guys! (edit: honestly by the point in the watching of season 2 I had basically forgotten anything about this show save for whatever was happening in whatever episode I was watching at that point lol This comment was made because season 1 was drama but ‘cutesy’ and this season just chewed it up and spit it out with how high/drastic the stakes got lol)
I don't know if I'm actually breathing right now.
At the end of episode 7 all I can think about is how many people wanted something so different from this season and I hope they're still enjoying this season for what it's had in it. As someone who was Min Ho leaning and has quite literally gotten so many things she could barely fathom for tropes in this season my mind is boggled but Kitty quoting Min Ho from the plane is actually insane to me. I cannot believe that that happened oh my God.
(edit: ‘I miss you’ felt like a confession of love to me after seeing it three times now)
We have one episode left…where do we go from here?
Episode 8 Reaction
Margot, my darling, I love you! I miss you and I heard you would be in this season but when I Googled it they said you weren't going to be in this season! I am pleasantly surprised!
Kitty is visiting her old home in the boys dorm! And congratulations Q! But I am also worried about Jin, honestly I'm still kind of on the fence about him because it wasn't the pretend injured trope…this is actually, like, bad for him you know?
I repeat: This is a hostage situation!! What do we do? I'm going to cry. Because now Kitty thinks she was wrong but she was right! This is a code red I think lol. But like not LOL but I'm so tired right now I'm not sleeping until I get off work tonight probably so we'll see how this goes for the rest of the night day? Back to the show! (edit: I got like 1.5 hours of sleep that day)
More Yuri and Alex hanging out! This is amazing! I'm so happy about this!! Like, I do wish to see more of Alex and Daniel as well but I really didn't have high hopes for this like I was worried he would still be around Kitty all the time and Yuri would be too focused on Juliana but she's focused on Juliana while she's spending time with Alex. It's like the balance I never saw coming crazy…
Daniel has been spoken about and that was hilarious
Okay, do I get to call Stella pretending to date Min Ho a bingo?? Yes, it counts for the bingo card I'm not even going to ask that question-- it counts for the bingo card!!
Dude. Kitty gets it. That ‘Have a blessed day’ comment… I swear to God it stuck with me in my brain after her promo video. I did not trust it one bit.
Eunice is so sweet ♡ Dae is rightfully protective ♡
Dae's going to sing his mom's favorite song? He is such a good son ♡
Oh my God he faked it the whole time!? It was fake the whole time! It was fake the whole time!!!! What the fuck man!! He's a good actor and I love him! I love him so much, he's my favorite! I love him! oh god what the fuckkkkk
Haul ass!!??? Kitty Song Covey, you texted that to your teacher- your principal!? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 This whole thing riding on Daniel playing the guitar is actually so freaking awesome I never saw this coming!!
Okay, so it wasn't a fake the entire time but he still gets points!!!! <3
No...they stuck with the pop ballad but I do like it a lot so it's okay :) I guess… I don't know if his mom's song would have won over this kind of show- so I understand
Doesn't Kitty look like Lara Jean in P.S. I still love you? With the pigtails and the face paint??
At what point can your feelings be real when you're blackmailing him? What is that ridiculousness?
Dae being happy for Eunice! I love him so much, his heart is so pure and beautiful!!
Oh no, Yuri…
I really have no words after what I would almost consider to be an almost kiss but didn’t quite reach the mark for a bingo imo.
This reunion is literally so beautiful. I'm so happy for her grandmother and her aunt- I'm in tears…
Daniel's awesome. No hugs, no high fives, but handshakes are just as good from him :)
That's some utter bullshit!! I wanted a confession! And on Min Ho's part I wanted another confession! He's swearing off relationships?? Of course he is *sighhhh*. But they're going to travel together and nothing's going to happen?
Talk about a slowburn…love those lol (I really do love them, it’s just so painful)
But like does that count as an almost kiss ‘cause their heads tilted a little bit but I guess personally, in my opinion, you have to lean in to have an almost kiss so I guess I don't get that on my bingo card. Darn it!!
His little head nod though!! *squealllll* It has been so long since I've seen a good slowburn so I find this very exciting. For someone who is Min Ho!leaning and is now invested in the relationship after this season I will say that there is still definitely a chance things can change who knew we’d wind up here from season 1 episode 1 But Here We Are and wow.
Well, I hope we're getting a season 3 😅 (edit: Honestly the second or third biggest crime is that an announcement for season 3 wasn’t posted in the credits because there is no way we’re not getting one with their relationship cliffhanger and Yuri’s cliffhanger. They can pretend all they want but I know it’s a sure thing in my heart!!)
My final thought…
Before I close my eyes and try to pretend that I'm going to get any sleep in the next 2 hours before my alarm goes off I want to say that that was a wild ride and I will be riding it again very soon because holy shit that was not what I expected from this season and I can't be more happy with it honestly like wow!
Final final thoughts…
I need the entire list of songs that played throughout this entire season because they were all perfect and I love them!!
More thoughts
The camera quality is amazing this season, holy shit.
i somewhat understand why jina is the way she is (she grew up similarly, is rich, understands the pressures of living as a person with media attention in korea, has always been scared of the press and wants a squeaky clean image) but yuri's dad is an asshole for no reason he just calls them both spoiled and yells at his employees and refuses to show any emotion except for anger
I liked your post outlining all the indications that they changed their plans for season 2 to shoehorn in more Kitty/Minho. I think the other thing that is missing in this season is Yuri’s family. They were such a big part of season 1, and it looked like they were setting up more for them in season 2, but suddenly Jina’s been written off the show. And there are clearly times when her character should have shown up — telling Kitty about Simon, apologizing to Yuri, Yuri moving back in with her mom — but now it all has to happen offscreen so we can get more time for Moon family drama.
Thank you so much! I’ve seen a lot of people praise Season 2’s development and I really can’t agree with that… the writing was overall less coherent and a lot of signs point to last minute changes.
Yuri’s family missing in Season 2 definitely deals a major blow. Jina’s absence was definitely felt, though I’m sure they would have brought her back if they were able. I wished we could have seen more about the different conflicts Yuri mentioned having with her parents.
Even without Yuri’s parents in the picture, there were still ways to incorporate her into the story, just like you said — but the writers simply didn’t seem interested. As for a kittyuri endgame, there is still a possibility, but I am not holding out hope. I think if they weren’t willing to dedicate time and care to writing their sapphic characters this season, I can’t trust that it will suddenly get better for future seasons. That so rarely happens.
