Recommendations of the Editorial team
There’s no place quite like KISS Academy. But on April 2, the Netflix original series “XO, Kitty” returns for its third season – and this time, the characters begin to think about life after their glamorous international high school. Before the premiere, ROLLING STONE can exclusively offer a first look at the soundtrack of the fast-paced new episodes.
“This series is a really great balance of fun, drama and emotion,” says co-music supervisor Lindsay Wolfington. “Be it falling in love, heartbreak, friendship, dance parties – all the things you love when you’re young.”
“XO, Kitty” was the first spin-off in author Jenny Han’s adaptation universe, which began with the film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and the love story of the main character Lara Jean Song-Covey (Lana Condor). Since then, it has grown to include the hit series “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and its highly anticipated final film. Set in Seoul, Korea, “XO, Kitty” follows Lara Jean’s little sister Kitty Song-Covey (Anna Cathcart), who moves from the USA to the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS). The past few seasons have shown how the student has developed from a clumsy American who seems completely overwhelmed to a solid KISS student with close friendships and new insights about her mother, who died early. But just because she’s arrived doesn’t mean she has everything under control.
Music with K-Pop class
Wolfington and Laura Webb are the team behind the series’ sound, which takes the energy of the “To All the Boys” films and adds a modern K-pop focus. The two worked on the music for all three films – “To All the Boys” (2018), “PS I Still Love You” (2020) and “Always and Forever” (2021). They explain to ROLLING STONE that this shared story allows them to get to the heart of the story – something that runs through Han’s entire work.
“Kitty has her own journey that’s different than Lara Jean’s. But they’re both teenage girls, so we keep those parallels in mind. Having worked on all three films, there’s kind of a Rolodex in the back of our minds of songs that fit certain moments,” says Wolfington. “We’re talking about that [Kitty] is playful and mischievous. I feel like the mischief is increasingly giving way to a more thoughtful mood – and capturing that in the music feels like a shift we’re making this season.”
It wouldn’t be an “XO, Kitty” – or a Han Project – if there wasn’t romance involved. While friends Yuri (Gia Kim), Quincy (Anthony Keyvan), Juliana (Regan Aliyah), Dae (Choi Min-yeong) and Madison (Jocelyn Shelfo) have to figure out what comes after high school, Kitty finally has to answer the question of whether or not there is more between her and her crush Min-ho Moon (Sang Heon Lee).
Hard decisions, last chances
“The season does a really good job of capturing that phase where everyone is questioning their decisions and choosing life – it’s very healthy,” adds Webb. “Maybe the world is smaller because they all know each other and will always have that connection. But at the same time, they may really never see each other again, and that’s part of the gravity of this decision.”
The third season of “XO, Kitty” also brings a confirmed cameo from Condor’s character Lara Jean. Netflix’s latest trailer confirms that the star appears when her little sister desperately needs advice – and an evening of junk food. “Film three is Lara Jean’s senior year. Looking back on our work on season three, we can’t believe Kitty is at this point,” says Wolfington. “History repeats itself in a cool way.”
“We’re passionate about finding songs for Kitty and the gang, and we’re proud to be a part of this sequel,” adds Webb. “We want this universe to go on forever.”
Season three of “XO, Kitty” premieres on Netflix on April 2nd.
“XO, Kitty” Tracklist – Preview
- “All My Friends,” Willy Beaman, ZBRAS
- “Go Getter,” VCHA (Girlset)
- “Whiplash,” Aespa
- “Favorite Son,” Peniel
- “On Fire Again,” Fletcher
- “Wherever UR,” UMI & V
- “Meow,” Meovv
- “Moral of the story,” Ashe
- “Go Big or Go Home,” ENHYPEN
- “Slo-mo,” NEXZ
- “Soñar (Breaker),” NMIXX
- “I AM,” MAKAMAKA
- “Am I not enough for now,” MARO
- “Head On Fire,” Griff (ft. Sigrid)
- “Skyfall (THE 8 Solo),” SEVENTEEN
- “About Love,” Marina
