“XO, Kitty Season 2: Embracing the Beautiful Chaos of Bisexuality!”

The series added complexity to that dynamic as the season unfolded. As Kitty gradually moved past her glorified image of Dae and sought to embrace new possibilities, she unintentionally began to develop romantic feelings for Yuri as well. Prior to that, Kitty had never contemplated that she might be bisexual, but the show welcomed her discovery.

If season 1 focused on Kitty’s gradual awakening (and subsequent acknowledgment) of her queerness, then season 2 progresses naturally: allowing Kitty the opportunity to comfortably investigate it. This means wrestling with her sentiments for Yuri, naturally, but also coming to grips with where she stands with Dae, what her future intentions with Min Ho might be, and perhaps even engaging in some fresh flirtations along the way. After nearly failing her classes during her initial semester, Kitty asserts that she is concentrating more on academics and less on romantic entanglements. But as Q wisely points out to her, “It’s somewhat unfortunate to be renouncing love right after realizing you’re bi.”

And Q is indeed correct. It would be a pity to overlook Kitty stepping into this newfound realm, which is equally thrilling and anxiety-inducing. Upon returning to campus, Kitty quickly learns that Yuri is now officially in a relationship with Juliana (Regan Aliyah). This alone would be challenging enough for a fledgling queer individual, but the situation is exacerbated by the fact that, despite her request for a private dorm room, Kitty finds herself placed in a shared space with the newly-established couple.Eventually, she discovers a pleasant diversion in new girl Praveena (Sasha Bhasin), but there’s only so much that connection can develop before Praveena realizes that she’s not the sole person capturing Kitty’s interest.

And that’s merely the girls. Kitty’s conflicting emotions regarding Yuri and Praveena don’t magically erase the history she shares with Dae, who remains fixated on her despite his own fling with Eunice (Han Bi Ryu), a new vocalist on campus. Likewise, they do not simplify matters with Min Ho, whose earlier declaration of love gradually awakens feelings of uncertainty in Kitty—even as it also creates a rift between him and Dae, who understandably feels betrayed by his so-called best friend. XO, Kitty addresses each of these relationships with equal significance, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Kitty end up with any of these individuals. It’s a whirlwind of unending captivating drama that makes bisexual dating seem wonderfully enjoyable and chaotic.

Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho and Anna Cathcart as Kitty.

What unifies everything, however, is how XO, Kitty examines sexuality as something fluid yet also unique for each individual. The show goes to commendable lengths to emphasize the dimensions of Kitty’s emerging bisexuality, but its attempts wouldn’t be nearly as impactful if her queerness existed in isolation. Instead, XO, Kitty wisely surrounds its protagonist with a diverse array of supporting characters, who embody various aspects of the sexuality spectrum and are given sufficient space to experience their own romantic ups and downs. Kitty may be tangled with several girls and boys, but Yuri and Juliana, as lesbians, are facing their own challenges. Q, on the other hand, can serve the role of “gay best friend” while also managing his personal romantic troubles with Jin (Joshua Hyunho Lee), a foul-mouthed track foe whom none of his friends endorse.

In recent times, a plethora of teen dramas have welcomed romantic LGBTQ+ narratives. Yet while some have approached this from a sensationalized perspective (Netflix’s Élite; HBO’s Emmy-winning controversy magnet Euphoria) and others with an excessively sweet positivity (Heartstopper), XO, Kitty finds a cozy middle-ground. The series treats all of its characters’ evolving relationships with a sincere clarity that feels refreshingly authentic and relatable. Although the narrative revolves around youth, the writers treat their emotions with seriousness, acknowledging them as mature individuals capable of navigating real affection and maintaining healthy (or unhealthy) relationships. Like any romantic comedy, the show often remains light-hearted and entertaining, with intentionally low stakes. However, regarding the depiction of queerness, XO, Kitty is thankfully unafraid to delve into deeper territories. Matters can get, well, rather explosive.