Looking for a new television show to kick off the spring season? Look no further because XO, Kitty has arrived! The first season of the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before spinoff premiered on May 18, and the drama will keep you intrigued. Whether it’s the characters’ intricate relationship histories or processing that shocking revelation in Episode 10, there’s something for everyone. Spoiler warning: Spoilers for Season 1 of XO, Kitty follow.
One thing that stood out to me throughout the series was the soundtrack. Almost every episode of the show included some of the most popular K-pop songs from recent years. If you’re a die-hard K-pop fan, recognizing some of these songs should come as no surprise, but if you’re new to the genre and need some guidance, consider this article a mini K-pop playlist. Read on for an overview of all the K-pop songs included in each episode of XO, Kitty. Did I forget to mention there may be some spoilers?
Episode 1
- “Hot” by Seventeen
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In Episode 1 of XO, Kitty, we’re almost immediately pushed into the genre of K-pop. Seventeen’s “Hot” serves as an introduction to one of the show’s heartthrobs, Minho, when Kitty arrives at the airport to board a flight to South Korea and the two bump into each other.
- “Telepathy” by BTS
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When Kitty first arrives in Seoul, “Telepathy” by BTS, one of the world’s biggest K-pop groups, is playing in the background. The dance track has an enthusiastic tempo and acts as an introduction to the exciting experiences that await Kitty.
- “Baam” by Momoland
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During the montage, Momoland’s “Baam” is played as Kitty wanders aimlessly around Seoul in quest of finding the Korean Independent School of Seoul, or KISS for short. The 2018 pop-dance track is perfect to listen to during the upcoming summer season.
- “Pink Venom” by Blackpink
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What better way to debut a Queen bee than with the Queen bees of K-pop themselves, Blackpink? In the scene where we first meet the character Yuri, we can hear Blackpink’s “Pink Venom” playing in the background of the store she’s shopping in.
- “What You Waiting For” by Jeon Somi
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Jeon Somi’s single “What You Waiting For” has a dance/tropical tempo and the lyrics depict Somi’s longing to eventually be genuinely recognized by the one she loves. It served as a background piece for the montage of Kitty finally arriving at KISS with the help of Yuri. - “Darl+ing” by Seventeen
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While this song technically isn’t K-pop because the lyrics are entirely in English, it’s another release by Seventeen and I couldn’t help but include it. “Darl+ing” begins playing practically immediately after Kitty and Dae reunite at the KISS welcome party. The song is about the love and appreciation a person has for their significant other, and it surely reflects Kitty and Dae’s affection for one another — even with the shocking news Kitty receives during the song’s bridge. Nevertheless, I still get butterflies in my stomach to this song!
Episode 2
- “You Never Know” by Blackpink
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The ballad track “You Never Know” by Blackpink can be heard at the beginning of Episode 2 as Kitty storms out of the welcoming party after realizing that Yuri and Dae were in a relationship. The song emphasizes the need to respect individuals because you never know what may be going on in someone’s life, and it helps to highlight the pain and loss that Kitty is experiencing at the time.
- “XOXO” by Jeon Somi
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“XOXO” plays when Yuri and Dae both attempt to speak with the people they like, but to no avail. “XOXO” is about Somi not allowing her feelings to be trivialized and demonstrating independence away from a relationship, which serves as an ode to both Yuri and Dae’s situations where they unintentionally mess with the emotions of the people they love the most.
Episode 4
- “Venom” by Stray Kids
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Even eagle-eyed K-pop fans might have missed this song playing during Episode 4’s intro scene. When Kitty introduces herself to her not-so-cool new roommate, a song plays softly in the background. Fortunately for you, I was able to recognize the song as “Venom” by the K-pop boy group Stray Kids. The song is from the band’s 2022 EP, ODDINARY, and its dark and gritty sound emphasizes the dorm room horror stories that await Kitty.
- “Maniac” by Stray Kids
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Keeping with the pattern of Stray Kids songs throughout Episode 4, we as fans truly get to experience a dorm room horror story with a montage of Kitty struggling to adjust to her new living situation. “Maniac” by Stray Kids, the lead single from ODDINARY, can be heard throughout the scene. Stray Kids member Han stated at a press conference that the song portrays people’s daily lives, and it’s safe to say that the track accurately reflects Kitty’s routine of living in a dorm nightmare.
- “I Can’t Stop Me” by TWICE
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The song “I Can’t Stop Me” by TWICE played during Kitty’s search for the specific hospital where she believes she will find answers about the secret baby related to her mom all the way back in the 1990s. I think the song complements the montage of Kitty sprinting around the streets of Seoul looking for clues and emphasizes that the girl is on a mission!
EPISODE 5
- “Best Shot” by Wonho
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Wonho’s “Best Shot” plays as Minho heads to his date with pop diva Lulu; the song is a b-side from the album Love Synonym Pt.2: Right for Us.
- “HANN (Alone in Winter)” by (G)-IDLE
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Need a song to establish the dramatic secrecy that will be revealed in the series’ following episodes? Well, (G)- DLE’s “HANN (Alone in Winter)” was the perfect conclusion track to Episode 5, as multiple revelations emerged in the episode’s final minutes. The song depicts the metaphor of a bitter, lonely winter and the longing for spring, which helps to highlight the show’s eventual climax.
Episode 6
- “The Weekend” by BIBI
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What better song to listen to at a dance party than “The Weekend” by K-pop singer BIBI? When Yuri takes the stage to do her signature dance moves, she performs this song. I think I should start playing this song at every function I’m invited to ASAP.
Episode 7
- “Dumb Dumb” by Jeon Somi
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“Dumb Dumb” can be heard throughout a montage of the students experiencing peak boredom. They’ve been left in detention following the wild party the night before. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind listening to this song while in detention.
- “Icy” by Itzy
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After leaving detention in search of Professor Lee’s high school yearbook, Yuri and Kitty race against the clock — and Professor Lee — to return to the library in time before he notices their absence. The peppy dance track “Icy” by Itzy serves as a backdrop for the fun montage of the wacky things Yuri and Kitty have to do to stay out of trouble.
Episode 8
- “Stay this way” by fromis_9
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Love is certainly in bloom for the students at KISS; at the start of Episode 8, viewers are introduced to all of the couples as they go on various dates and fall in love with one another. “Stay this way” by fromis_9 can be heard in the montage, and its bubbly lovely melody helps to make the montage even more adorable.