The second season of XO Kitty premiered this January, and discussions about the show are already heating up, especially among fans arguing about the series’ central romantic pairings.
Two popular fanships have emerged as focal points: Kitty and Yuri – a sapphic couple that has attracted significant attention from LGBTQ+ viewers – and Kitty and Min Ho, a couple that appears to have broader mainstream appeal.
Kitty and Yuri were teased as a possible couple throughout the first season, and they even recently shared a long-awaited on-screen kiss.
the beginning of the kiss between Yuri and Kitty was great, so what the hell happened in the writers room 😭 pic.twitter.com/gR6qPQfWoj
— ً (@filmsbygays) January 17, 2025
Lately, Gia Kim (who plays Yuri) addressed the ship debate during an interview, offering his thoughts on the direction of the show. When asked about the possibility of Kitty and Yuri becoming a final couple, Kim responded with a statement that has since sparked heated debate.
Just based on what I see mostly in the comments, I think the Kitty/Min Ho shippers are very dominant. I feel like that’s what the show is going to give them because we don’t want to piss off too many people. There’s a greater chance of Kitty/Min Ho shippers getting what they want than Kitty/Yuri shippers, I’d say. But I don’t know, I’m not a writer, so who knows?
— Gia Kim via StyleCaster
Her comments quickly sparked intense reactions online, particularly from fans interested in seeing Kitty and Yuri together. Many have accused writers of prioritizing mainstream appeal over authentic storytelling, especially when it comes to queer representation.
another sapphic ship ruined because the writers wanted to please straight fans… soon everyone acts shocked pic.twitter.com/AHqtLcvakV https://t.co/m09EeR3GV7
— Mel (@melxadamson) January 18, 2025
actually I’m afraid it’s true that we’re the losers bro 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/hfkVOlwfhT pic.twitter.com/oZVsPs0zqr
– ugh! | XO KITTY S2 LET’S GO 🐈💓 (@hrrysyeehaw) January 18, 2025
all the build up in s1 just for the writers to fanservice Kinho in every way possible and assassinate Yuri’s character; never touch Sapphics again, Jenny Han pic.twitter.com/Rs9fP8ukOo https://t.co/JjexvLhOfX
— val (@puflyx) January 18, 2025
Others have expressed frustration with the industry’s broader tendency to cater to majority audiences at the expense of queer stories.
I think if you’re a writer weak enough to sacrifice creative freedom for the approval of the masses… Refrain from writing specifically sapphic queer fiction. The majority response will always be homophobia, if you lack the courage to fight it don’t waste people’s time. https://t.co/IdYMSHlC3Q
— crystal (@stirlingtons) January 18, 2025
the writers wrote shit to spite the fans and not to please them smh https://t.co/4ipQ4dk43Z
— h (@CSBPAO5513) January 18, 2025
While the show’s future direction remains uncertain, it’s clear that the conversation won’t calm down anytime soon.
