8 Best Shows Like XO, Kitty and Where to Watch Them
If XO, Kitty left you Googling “boarding schools in Korea to go to right now,” then you’re not alone. A spin-off of the To All the Boys franchise, it concentrates on the youngest sister, Kitty, her life and adventures abroad. XO, Kitty mixes the vibes from classic teen rom-coms and is set in a South Korean high school. Kitty takes the chaos international—with love triangles (or is it quadrilaterals?), emotional plotlines, and the struggles that crop up while learning about identity and culture. It’s the kind of show where you get exactly what you signed up for; it’s fun and completely bingeable. But now that you’re done watching both seasons (multiple times, perhaps) and are waiting for season 3 to drop, what next? Here are 8 shows that bring similar vibes, with their own unique twist, and where to watch them using JustWatch’s streaming guide.
If Kitty grew up and moved to Paris, we’d get Emily. Emily In Paris follows a marketing executive as she moves to Paris from Chicago. The haute couture outfits, love triangles, constant misunderstandings, and international settings constantly make it feel as though this is XO, Kitty dialed up a notch. Fans who loved Kitty’s chaotic adventures in a new country, will love Emily In Paris as well. Emily In Paris isn't plot heavy; in fact, it does feel like the storyline is sometimes a little too dramatic, but if you’re in the mood to vicariously live through our girl Emily, see life in Paris through her eyes, and witness her escapades with various hunks, then this show delivers. If you’re ready to switch off your brain and escape reality for a while to be delusional, you may also like The Bold Type, which is as glossy as Emily In Paris.
If we remove the chaos and turn up the romance in XO, Kitty, we’d get Heartstopper, a series about two boys, Nick and Charlie, who fall for each other. If you’re someone who’s tired of watching dramas about teenagers in toxic relationships like in Euphoria, Heartstopper is the complete opposite with its soft, quiet, and gentle storytelling. The characters feel real, and the show will have you rooting for the main couple. While Greenhouse Academy is fast-paced and thrives on conspiracy, Heartstopper is comforting and wholesome. If Kitty were to bring two people together with her matchmaking abilities, Nick and Charlie would totally be on her list.
Where XO, Kitty drops our main character in what feels like a K-Drama, how about experiencing the real thing? If you loved the K-Drama energy in XO, Kitty and want more of it, My First First Love might offer a similar experience. The show follows five twenty-somethings in Seoul as they navigate love, friendship, and all the growing pains of adulthood, all while living under the same roof. If you liked the slice-of-life charm of XO, Kitty, My First First Love brings the same energy to the table. However, it is slower paced, so for people expecting higher stakes might like The Summer I Turned Pretty or Greenhouse Academy better. But if you’re looking for emotional connection and character growth, like Emily In Paris but with more depth, then this drama will appeal to you.
If XO, Kitty brought out that romantic optimism from within you, then Dash & Lily is your soulmate for the holidays. Set in New York City during Christmas, this show follows two teens who fall for each other without meeting first. Kitty viewed love and romance with a dreamy lens, and viewers can expect the same from this show. Since it’s set in the holiday season, it might be harder to vibe with when it's off season; also, Dash & Lily isn't for fans of messy conflicts, you’d have much better luck with Awkward. But if you're someone who’s into cozy and warm shows that make you believe in meet-cutes again in this technological world, then this one’s for you. If you enjoyed the seasonal romance of movies like The Holiday, then Dash & Lily is worth watching.
Ever found yourself watching a show that has some over-the-top storylines, but somehow you keep clicking on “next episode”? Greenhouse Academy is that under-the-radar show which is still weirdly hard to stop watching. It’s set in Greenhouse Academy, split into two rival houses, where a light teen mystery unfolds amongst crushes, competitions, and secret conspiracies. It’s for anyone who loves high school intrigue and sci-fi twists. Think of it as Never Have I Ever meets Outer Banks. Though sometimes the acting can feel uneven, and the show itself can border on cheesy, the heartfelt friendships and mystery aspects of the show redeem it. Seasons 1 and 2 are especially extremely interesting. Unlike Dash & Lily, which is grounded, Greenhouse Academy is slightly more dramatic. If you liked One of Us Is Lying for its mystery and emotional core, you’ll enjoy Greenhouse Academy.
For people who loved Kitty and Devi’s inner monologue, but wish the emotional stakes were upped the ante, then Awkward. has you covered. The show follows Jenna Hamilton’s life after a blog post leads everyone to believe that she ended her life (when she didnt, obviously). What makes this show real is its honesty and raw portrayal about teen insecurity and identity. It’s Never Have I Ever with more mess, but just as hilarious and relatable. The show nails that early-2010s nostalgia in the earlier seasons, whereas later seasons lose some of that charm. Where XO, Kitty is more put-together, Awkward feels like it’s imperfect, sarcastic, yet relatable older sister. Derry Girls or My Mad Fat Diary gives off the same ridiculous and witty energy that you’ll love, if you enjoyed Awkward.
Another show from Jenny Han’s universe, The Summer I Turned Pretty follows Belly Conklin, a teenager caught between two brothers, where the story takes place over multiple summers at Cousins Beach. If you’re a fan of slow burn romances and emotional tension, then TSITP is the perfect show. Even though the plot may feel a bit frustrating and you might scream at the screen for Belly to just pick someone already, each season is binge worthy. And isn’t that what the best shows can do? You’re annoyed at it, but you tune in each week to find out what happens next? Like XO, Kitty, TSITP mixes romance with identity, along with family and belonging. Being over-involved in other people’s relationships, Kitty may have strong opinions about who Belly should end up with (and it’s most likely going to be Conrad). If you liked My Life With The Walter Boys, TSITP offers a similar experience.
If you’re a fan of Kitty’s impulsiveness, chaotic energy, and confusing and conflicting love life, you’ve stumbled on a gold mine; Never Have I Ever’s Devi Vishwakumar feels like Kitty’s soul sister. It follows the Indian-American teen, navigating loss, identity, grief, family, and relationships, all from Devi’s point of view. Never Have I Ever is just has fast-paced and hilarious as XO, Kitty with a special layer of emotional depth. Not everything is peachy as a teenager, and both XO, Kitty and NHIE don’t shy away from highlighting topics like loss, grief, sexuality, identity, and class and culture differences. Sure, in my opinion, Devi makes way more questionable choices and oscillates more than Kitty, but that’s also a part of her charm. NHIE balances growth and drama effortlessly and lies somewhere on the spectrum between Heartstopper and Gossip Girl. If you’re a fan of hilarious, flawed protagonists with heart, and stories where the main character’s arc shows genuine growth, then this one is for you.
