5 Shocking Reasons Why XO, Kitty Season 3 Is Set For An Early 2026 Release (and Who Kitty Ends Up With)

The wait is almost over. Fans of the Netflix hit spin-off, XO, Kitty, have been eagerly searching for any news regarding the third installment, and as of this moment in December 2025, the production timeline points to a highly anticipated early 2026 release date. The romantic comedy series, which follows Kitty Song Covey’s journey to the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS), has officially been renewed, and with filming now complete, all eyes are on the post-production schedule that will determine exactly when Kitty’s next chapter hits the streaming service.

The global success of the series, which is part of the beloved To All the Boys I've Loved Before universe, made a third season renewal a near certainty, which Netflix confirmed on Valentine’s Day 2025. With a new showrunner and a fully wrapped production, the stage is set for a dramatic return to Seoul, where Kitty must finally navigate her complex love life and academic future.

The Confirmed Cast and Crew Returning for Season 3

The strength of XO, Kitty lies in its dynamic ensemble cast, and the good news is that the core group of students at KISS will all be returning for Season 3. The production wrap in mid-July 2025 confirmed the return of all fan-favorite characters, ensuring the next season picks up right where the dramatic Season 2 finale left off.

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• Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey: The central matchmaker-turned-protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery and love will continue to drive the plot.
• Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho: The wealthy, initially arrogant, but ultimately sweet student who developed feelings for Kitty.
• Minyeong Choi as Dae Heon Kim: Kitty's original long-distance boyfriend and a key part of her ongoing love triangle.
• Gia Kim as Yuri Han: The 'mean girl' turned friend, whose complicated relationship with Kitty is a central focus.
• Anthony Keyvan as Quincy 'Q' Shabazian: Kitty's best friend and confidante at KISS.
• Ji-won Ahn as Hojo Shin: Promoted to a series regular for Season 3, suggesting a more significant role in the new episodes.

In addition to the returning main cast, the next season will introduce new faces to the halls of KISS, further complicating the social and romantic dynamics. The new cast members include Sule Thelwell, Soy Kim, and Christine Hwang. Furthermore, a change in leadership behind the scenes has been confirmed, with a new showrunner taking the reins for Season 3, promising a fresh creative direction for the series.

The XO, Kitty Season 3 Release Date: Why Early 2026 is the Target

While Netflix has not yet provided an official date, the production timeline offers a very clear window for when fans can expect the new episodes. The series has a history of a relatively fast turnaround for a show of its scale, and the Season 3 production schedule suggests a premiere in the first quarter of 2026.

1. The Renewal and Production Schedule

The Season 3 renewal was announced on February 14, 2025, with filming officially beginning in April 2025 in Seoul. The production wrapped up swiftly in mid-July 2025. This six-month gap from the wrap date (July 2025) to the speculative release window (January-March 2026) is standard for Netflix’s young adult (YA) programming, allowing time for extensive post-production, including editing, sound mixing, and international dubbing.

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2. Following the Season 2 Precedent

The second season of XO, Kitty premiered on January 16, 2025, establishing a pattern of early-year releases. Following this trend, a January, February, or March 2026 release would be a logical and consistent scheduling move for the streaming giant. This consistency helps maintain audience momentum and anticipation.

3. The Need to Resolve the Cliffhangers Swiftly

The Season 2 finale left Kitty’s love life in a state of chaos, which is a major driver of curiosity for the audience. The show cannot afford a long delay without losing the heat of its central romantic tension. A quick turnaround ensures fans get answers to the biggest question: who will Kitty choose? The swift production wrap suggests Netflix is keen to capitalize on this high level of engagement.

The Juicy Plot Spoilers: Who Does Kitty End Up With?

The primary focus of Season 3 will undoubtedly be the resolution of Kitty’s complicated romantic journey. At the end of Season 2, Kitty was left with multiple potential love interests, all of whom represent different aspects of her identity and emotional growth. The next season will explore the fallout of these relationships and Kitty’s continued exploration of her sexuality.

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The Love Quadrangle: Dae, Min Ho, Yuri, and Kitty’s Identity

The central conflict revolves around three key figures:

• Dae Heon Kim: Kitty’s first love and ex-boyfriend. Their relationship is steeped in history and comfort, but the spark has been complicated by new feelings.
• Min Ho: The unexpected love interest. The wealthy, charming character admitted his feelings for Kitty, but the Season 2 finale saw him declare a break from relationships to focus on his personal life, leaving his future with Kitty in limbo.
• Yuri Han: The queer element of the plot. Kitty's growing connection and attraction to Yuri were a major development, pushing Kitty to explore her identity and feelings for women.

Season 3 is expected to delve deeper into Kitty's bisexuality and her journey of self-acceptance, which is a key thematic element of the series. The showrunner has emphasized that Kitty is on a journey of how she identifies, and the new season will see her continue to explore her feelings for Dae, Min Ho, and Yuri.

The KISS Scholarship and Stella’s Revenge

Academically, Kitty is confirmed to return to the Korean Independent School of Seoul, as her scholarship was successfully renewed. This ensures the action remains at the school, where the main cast is based.

A major subplot involving Stella (Audrey Huynh) and her blackmail of Min Ho was resolved in the Season 2 finale. Stella, whose real name is Esther, was seeking revenge on Min Ho's father, Mr. Moon, for past business dealings. While Kitty’s clever plan helped resolve the immediate crisis, the long-term consequences of this corporate drama could still linger, though it is unclear if Stella will return for Season 3.

Why XO, Kitty Season 3 Will Be the Most Dramatic Yet

With a new showrunner and the love quadrangle reaching a fever pitch, Season 3 is poised to be the most dramatic installment yet. The previous seasons successfully blended K-Drama tropes with classic American teen romance, and the next chapter is expected to lean even further into these cultural and narrative elements.

The introduction of three new cast members—Sule Thelwell, Soy Kim, and Christine Hwang—suggests new romantic rivals, academic challenges, or social dynamics will be introduced to further test Kitty and her friends. The promotion of Hojo Shin to a series regular also hints at a deeper exploration of his character and his role within the KISS social hierarchy.

Ultimately, the core of the show remains Kitty's emotional maturity. Her final decision—whether to choose Dae, Min Ho, Yuri, or perhaps none of them—will not just be a romantic one, but a defining moment in her journey of understanding who she is and what she truly wants. Fans should mark their calendars for early 2026, as the long-awaited answers are now only a few months away.