How Netflix’s “To All The Boys” K-Drama Spin-Off “XO, Kitty” Turned Its Stars Into K-Pop Fans

The anticipated spinoff of Netflix‘s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise, adapted from Jenny Han‘s novels, XO, Kitty is finally out!

The titular character Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) convinced her dad, Dr. Dan Covey (John Corbett), to allow her to transfer to Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS), since her late mom attended it as a teenager and now her boyfriend Dae (Choi Min Young) attends.

Since XO, Kitty occurs primarily in South Korea, the cast filmed in Seoul. The original film franchise included a few K-Pop songs, but the new series includes way more and even features a cameo from a K-Pop idol.

Screen Shot 2023-05-18 at 12.52.22 PM — 2PM’s Ok Taecyeon’s cameo in “XO, Kitty” | *Netflix*

So, it should be no surprise that filming XO, Kitty converted some of its actors into K-Pop fans!

Screen Shot 2023-05-18 at 4.35.43 PM — From left: Anthony Keyvan, Anna Cathcart, and Sang Heon Lee | *Netflix*

Actor Anthony Keyvan, who portrayed Kitty’s bestie, Q, assumed XO, Kitty would contain a few K-Pop songs. Yet, he didn’t know just how much until after filming ended. He recognized some K-Pop songs while prerecording some of his dialogue.

I heard parts of the scoring and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve heard this on TikTok. This is a very popular K-pop song.’

— Anthony Keyvan

kitty-anthony — Anthony Keyvan as Q | *Netflix*

Filming XO, Kitty in Seoul totally turned Keyvan into a K-Pop fan. Of course, his TikTok FYP (For You Page) had a major shift being in a different country. So, soon, he was exposed to all the latest K-Pop hits and dance challenges.

After living in Korea, to this day K-pop dances, BTS and BLACKPINK at Coachella is all over my For You page. I just feel like everybody loves K-pop, so why not put it in the show?

— Anthony Keyvan

coachella — From left: Jisoo, Rosé, Jennie, and Lisa of BLACKPINK

Of course, some actors, such as Gia Kim, who portrays schoolmate Yuri, have long been K-Pop fans. So, naturally, she was excited about the inclusion of all the K-Pop songs in XO, Kitty.

The height of my K-pop-loving days was definitely high school. I was really happy to know that they put all these really big K-pop songs in there, because K-pop has a huge worldwide following now and I’m proud of how well it’s doing, as a Korean. I’m happy that they incorporated all these great songs in there because I feel like a lot of people who love K-pop will love this [show], too.

— Gia Kim

230517-xokitty-minyoungchoi-giakim — From left: Anna Cathcart, Gia Kim, and Choi Min Young | *Netflix*

Similarly, actor Sang Heon Lee, who plays Min Ho, loves Korean music, specifically ballads. While filming, he discovered even more songs to love.

There were times where I was like, ‘Oh, this is a good song. Who is it?’ And then I’ll Shazam it, and then I’ll be like, ‘Oh, right. Oh, is this her? OK…’

— Sang Heon Lee

who-plays-min-ho-in-netflixs-xo-kitty-1684356962-view-0 — Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho | *Netflix*

While filming, Sang Heon Lee became a fan of the popular K-Pop artist Jeon Somi. Three of her songs, “What You Waiting For,” “XOXO,” and “DUMB DUMB,” are featured in XO, Kitty! Anthony Keyvan is also a fan, particularly of “XOXO.”