This article contains spoilers forXO, Kittyseason 2.
XO, Kittyseason 2 highlights one of Netflix’s biggest persisting problems with representation. Recently,XO, Kittyseason 2premiered on Netflix, portraying Kitty’s spring semester at the Korean International School of Seoul (KISS).XO, Kittyseason 1 endedjust before winter break, with many complex arc developments, including Min-ho confessing his feelings for Kitty, while she discovers a mysterious Simon, and her grappling with her feelings for Yuri. The show’s second season explores these avenues, fromKitty’s lingering feelings for Yuri and Min-ho to her reuniting her estranged family.
XO, Kittyseason 2 also features new and returning characters, spicing up the dynamics and storylines. One of the most important arcs inXO, Kittyseason 2 involves Kitty and Yuri’s evolving relationship. Kitty and Yuri kiss — leading to the latter and Juliana breaking up. These narrative choices exist to draw Kitty and Min-ho closer.It ultimately illustratesXO, Kittyhandles all the lesbian characters and sapphic romances poorly,reflecting on Netflix’s serious issue of mistreating lesbian and other sapphic representation.
XO, Kitty Season 2’s Lesbian Representation Was Problematic
XO, Kitty Season 2 Sidelines Several Lesbian Characters While Vilifying Yuri
WhileXO, Kitty’s romancesare thrilling, Kitty and Yuri do not stand a chance in the long run. Evidence suggestsXO, Kittywill undo a major romance twist in season 3to allow Kitty and Yuri to get together, but this is not strong enough to defeat the parallel between them and their mothers, Eve and Jina. Eve and Jina were best friends when they attended KISS, but they lost touch. Kitty and Yuri become friends, like them. That said, every time they encounter a problem, they come out of it stronger than ever.
For now, it seems like Kitty and Yuri would remain platonic. However, that does not mean the show cannot pursue a potential romance, especially if it helps Kitty understand her sexuality. Unfortunately,XO, Kittypursues the worst route to explore their romance by creating drama for Yuri and Juliana’s relationship. Instead of focusing on her bisexuality,the narrative uses Kitty and Yuri’s potential romance to break up Julianna’s relationship. As a result, Kitty and Yuri drift apart for a while, leaving her with no one to support her in finding her long-lost family except for Min-ho.
Min-ho and Kitty grow closer during Kitty’s expedition to solvethe Song Covey family rift inXO, Kitty. This allows Kitty to see Min-ho in a new light and develop feelings for him. This narrative decision does not center on Kitty’s journey with her sexuality, however. Instead, it seems as if Yuri and Juliana break up just for Min-ho and Kitty to get together.Lesbian relationships stand on their own,andif they exist to prop up a romance between a man and a woman, then it is poor representation.
…Kitty being unable to hide her feelings and allow Yuri and Juliana to be happy.
The narrative also villainizes Yuri, painting her out to be the big bad of the season. This is despite Kitty being unable to hide her feelings and allow Yuri and Juliana to be happy. Kitty invites Praveena to Min-ho’s ski weekend, only to kiss Yuri right before leaving. The narrative punishes Yuri for this action, but only she deals with the consequences of it. Kitty is not a bad person; she is human and makes mistakes. Sadly, Yuri is not allowed the same grace, holding lesbian characters to higher standards. Furthermore,XO, Kittyportrays Yuri and Kitty cheating together, which is a harmful stereotype for bisexual people.
Slip off my pretty dress down my chest when I think of you
Every night, both lips on the mirror
It’s ritualistic, counting lipstick stains where you should be
Am I in the frame from your point of view?
Do you feel the same? I’m too scared to say
Half of the things I do when I picture you
- Lyrics from Chappell Roan’s “Picture You” that suggest the song is about two girls
Finally, one of the songs onXO, Kitty’s season 2 soundtrackis “Picture You” by Chappell Roan—a song about a lost love between two girls. Unfortunately,XO, Kittyimplements “Picture You” during a moment between Min-ho and Kitty.XO, Kittyseason 2 has many opportunities to use this ballad for any lesbian relationshipsbut fails to do so. After the wayXO, Kittytreats Kitty and Yuri’s relationship and disregards Juliana and Praveena, it is insulting to use this Chappell Roan song for Kitty and Min-ho.
XO, Kitty’s Lesbian Representation Highlights A Bigger Problem With Netflix
Netflix Has A Notorious History Of Mistreating Lesbian Representation
Unfortunately, given thatXO, Kittyis aNetflix TV show, it is unsurprising that the lesbian and sapphic representation is problematic. Netflix has a notorious history of mistreating lesbian characters, sapphic relationships, and queer shows.Netflix notably canceledFirst Kill, which premiered around the same time asHeartstopper—a show that Netflix renewed for two seasons. However, when they both debuted,First Killhad a significantly higher viewership numbers. According toForbes,First Killhad 97.6 million viewing hours, while it was Netflix’s top 10, compared toHeartstopper, which only had 53.4 million viewing hours.
Canceled LGBTQIA+ Shows On Streaming Since 2020 That Feature Sapphic Main Characters
BBC iPlayer/Netflix
iCarly
Jul 05, 2025
July 17, 2025
While italso features incredible LGBTQIA+ representation,Heartstopperprimarily focuses on the primary romance between Nick and Charlie, who are bisexual and gay, respectively. Furthermore, the representation among the secondary characters—including two lesbian characters, Tara and Darcy—often prop up Nick and Charlie’s romance. Other lesbian and sapphic shows Netflix has canceled includeOne Day at a Time,Warrior Nun,I Am Not Okay With This,Fate: The Winx Saga,Sense8, andGLOW.
As seen in the table above,Netflix is also not the only network to cancel shows with excellent lesbian and sapphic representation.Amazon Prime Video canceledThe WildsandPaper Girlsand Disney+ pulled the plug onShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law. There is a big problem with lesbian representation on streaming, with a particular emphasis on Netflix.
Netflix Must Take Action To Fix Its Lesbophobia Problem
There Are Several Steps Netflix Can Take To Improve Their Lesbian Representation
Netflix has a problem with how the network treats lesbian and sapphic representation, but there is a lot they can do to fix the issue. In terms of cancellations, a lot of the shows Netflix cancels barely receive any promotion or marketing. Netflix prides itself on the LGBTQIA+ representation they provide, but the community is much bigger than gay men and relationships. Netflix must truly allow sapphic shows and lesbian relationships to stay on the air by promoting them as much as possible and allocating enough time to give the shows a chance to thrive.
As for writing lesbian and sapphic representation, writers should consult LGBTQIA+ women when writing these storylines to maintain authenticity and to ensure that the representation stands on its own and does not exist for heterosexual dynamics.
Despite this,Netflix has bright hope for its future. A future season ofBridgertonwill feature Michaela Stirling in Francesca’s story, illustrating the two women falling in love. Other shows such asHeartbreak Highwill return for future seasons, while the streamer could also provide more emphasis on Tara and Darcy inHeartstopper. As for writing lesbian and sapphic representation, writers should consult LGBTQIA+ women when writing these storylines to maintain authenticity and to ensure that the representation stands on its own and does not exist for heterosexual dynamics.
How XO, Kitty Season 3 Can Improve Its Lesbian Representation
Yuri, Juliana, & Praveena Should Have Their Own Independent Storylines Outside Of Kitty & Min Ho’s Romance
The lesbian and sapphic representation is not lost inXO, Kitty, either. If Netflix renewsXO, Kittyfor season 3, then there are several aspects the show must fix to ensure the lesbian representation is excellent going forward. First and foremost,lesbian characters should have their own storylines without advancing romance between men and women. Yuri and Juliana are both main characters, and the story is just as much theirs as Kitty’s. IfXO, Kittyhas no plans for Yuri and Juliana to get back together, then the show should also focus on Juliana and Praveena’s newfound relationship.
Netflix Just Gave Everyone The Perfect Reminder To Rewatch Its 96% RT Romantic Comedy From 7 Years Ago With 2 Sequels
With the release of XO, Kitty season 2, Netflix gave everyone the perfect reminder to watch a 7-year-old rom-com film with an impressive 96% RT score.
Yuri should find romantic happiness, no matter who it is with. It is also important thatXO, Kittydoes not implement cheating for bisexual characters again. Finally, while it is highly likely that Kitty and Min-ho will end up together, itshould not forget thatKitty is bisexual, which does not change no matter who she dates. Kitty’s sexuality is for herself and not for romantic drama.
XO, Kitty
Cast
XO, Kitty is a comedy-drama series from the creator ofTo All The Boys I Loved Before,Jenny Han. Teen matchmaker Kitty Song Covey thinks she knows everything there is to know about love. But when she moves halfway across the world to reunite with her long-distance boyfriend, she’ll soon realize that relationships are much more complicated when it’s your heart on the line.
