Go back in time to 2018. Remember the late night Netflix binges where we would watch To All the Boys in our rooms, invested in every letter and all the romance. If you’ve read my very first article about the 2016 music era, you will already know that the years between 2016 and 2020 will always carry a deep sense of nostalgia for Gen Z. It shaped how we viewed love, friendships and even ourselves, and right in the middle of that era came one of the most iconic Netflix rom-coms.
Why Lara Jean Mattered Then
Part of what made Lara Jean special to us in 2018 is that she represented so many teenage girls. Of course, most of us didn’t have the meet-cute romance or secret letters sent to our crushes – but we understood the meaning behind it. She also wasn’t the “cool girl” represented in so many movies; instead she was awkward, imaginative, whimsical and a deeply emotional person. She normalized softness and romanticism, and that it was okay to feel deeply and want to be in love.
Her story is also unique because, though they didn’t really show her being connected with her Korean side, seeing an Asian-American lead in the mainstream is an essential aspect to her character. It also shaped how teen romance could look like on streaming platforms.
Fast Forward to XO, Kitty
Now fast forward from 2023 to 2026 with XO, Kitty. The show focuses on Kitty and her wanting to get in touch with her Korean side. Everything feels more chaotic than Gen Z – touching on identity, sexuality and independence, except hopefully we’re not as messy as Kitty.
The Easter Eggs On The Show
Even when Lara Jean wasn’t on the screen, it was impossible to forget her.
For some people, season two was filled with subtle hints that she would be coming back, and well … iykyk. The emotional callbacks about love we first learned through Lara Jean were now being applied to Kitty. You can still feel Lara’s presence, with Kitty continuing to rely on advice given to her by her sister, like Lara Jean is guiding her from afar.
And even Peter showing up in a cameo in the show reminds us how everything is still connected. It also made the absence of Lara feel even more noticeable.It felt like the storytelling was quietly building toward her return without saying it outright.
Why Her Return Matters Now
Why does her return feel so meaningful? Well, Gen Z is no longer in high school; just like her we’re all grown up. So now that she’s back we have questions.
What does Lara Jean look like now? Is she still a hopeless romantic? Has love become even more complicated after high school? Her return feels intentional not only in Kitty’s life, but even for fans like me. From what we see in the trailer, Kitty really needs her and so do her fans.
Why You Should Watch XO, Kitty
Why am I bringing up Lara Jean now? To give you a reason to watch XO, Kitty, of course. Who else but Lara Jean to convince you?
XO, Kitty is more than just a spinoff. Yes, Kitty can be messy when it comes to relationships, friendships, but not everything can be perfect. That’s what makes the show so good – the aesthetic, the drama, Kitty’s charm and the feeling of watching it with friends just like the To All The Boys movies.That is enough reason to give the show a chance.
Even if Kitty drives the viewers crazy, the heart of the story is still there – and now, with Lara Jean returning, it feels like we’re finally coming full circle.