Pride 2024: A Q+ Celebration!
June 8
XO, Kitty
XO, Kitty, the long-awaited spin-off of the To All The Boys trilogy, hit Netflix in May last year and took us all by surprise with its delightfully queer narrative. The original trilogy didn’t offer much in terms of LGBTQ+ representation, so we weren’t expecting the spin-off to be quite this inclusive. But, as it turns out, XO, Kitty is very gay.
The show centers around Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart), the younger sister of Lara Jean from the original series. Kitty’s journey takes her to the Korean Independent School of Seoul (K.I.S.S.), where she hopes to reunite with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae (Choi Min Young). However, upon arrival, she discovers that Dae has been apparently hiding a secret girlfriend, Yuri (Gia Kim). This revelation sets off a chain of events that leads Kitty into a whirlwind of emotions, friendship, and self-discovery.
In addition to the drama with Dae, Kitty finds herself embroiled in complex relationships and cultural challenges in Seoul. She befriends Q (Anthony Keyvan), another American student, and helps him navigate his own romantic pursuits. The show also introduces us to Yuri’s struggle with her sexuality and her conservative family’s expectations, adding a heartfelt layer to the narrative. Kitty, in her matchmaker role, helps Yuri reconnect with her girlfriend, Juliana (Regan Aliyah), and in the process, begins to question her own feelings and sexual identity.
The series does an excellent job of weaving together these multiple storylines, giving each character depth and authenticity. Kitty’s bisexuality is handled with sensitivity and importance, providing much-needed representation. The dynamic between Kitty, Dae, and Yuri forms a compelling love triangle, but the narrative also hints at other potential romantic interests for Kitty, keeping viewers invested.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Seoul, XO, Kitty offers more than just teenage drama. It immerses viewers in Korean culture, making it a must-watch for K-drama enthusiasts. The show’s exploration of love, friendship, and identity is universal, resonating with both teen and adult audiences alike. With its engaging characters and emotional depth, XO, Kitty is a refreshing and captivating addition to Netflix’s lineup. Whether you’re a fan of the original trilogy or new to the series, this show is a delightful and heartfelt journey worth taking.
Where to watch? The first season of XO, Kitty is available to watch on Netflix, the second season is currently under production.
Oye By Melissa Mogollan
Oye by Melissa Mogollan is a compelling exploration of identity, culture, and self-discovery, told through the unique format of telephone conversations between two sisters, Luciana and Mari. The narrative follows Luciana’s journey as she navigates the complexities of growing up in a bicultural environment, with the guidance and wisdom of her older sister Mari.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Miami, a city that pulses with the energy and diversity of its inhabitants, Luciana grapples with the expectations and traditions of her immigrant parents while trying to find her own place in the world. The telephone conversations provide an intimate glimpse into her struggles, dreams, and the bond between the sisters.
As Luciana encounters various challenges, from navigating romantic relationships to dealing with academic pressures, Mari offers support and advice, helping her sister to balance old-world values with new-world freedoms. This tension is a central theme of the book, as Luciana strives to honor her heritage while embracing the opportunities around her.
Mogollan’s writing is rich and evocative, bringing the reader into Luciana’s world with vivid descriptions and emotional depth. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, each contributing to Luciana’s growth and understanding. The narrative weaves together themes of love, family, and personal growth, creating a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.
Oye is a celebration of cultural diversity and the beauty of finding one’s voice amid the cacophony of expectations and traditions. Through the intimate and heartfelt conversations between Luciana and Mari, the novel highlights the importance of staying true to oneself while honoring the past. Mogollan’s debut novel is an inspiring and beautifully crafted tale that will leave readers reflecting on their own journeys of self-discovery and identity.
Where to buy? Oye is available at all reputable booksellers.
Marry My Dead Body
Taiwan is, and has been, leading the charge in queer Asian productions recently. This time, they have – again – delivered the goods with Marry My Dead Body. As the name suggests, the film is an eccentric supernatural narrative that seeks to expose, in a very roundabout way, the banality and pointlessness of homophobia.
Wu Ming Han (Gren Han Hsu) is a homophobic police officer who typically works on the drug squad. He’s known for his excessive use of force and his free use of homophobic language both on and off the job. He’s demoted one day after a complaint about his professional conduct and winds up reassigned to a smaller unit.
Meanwhile, Mao Pang-Yu (Po Hung-Lin) is living – or not quite living, actually – a very different existence. The man is gay, and one night after a fight with his father about his sexuality, Mao Pang-Yu stumbles into oncoming traffic and dies a very violent death when he is struck by a car.
One day, on the tail end of a job, Wu Ming Han picks up a red envelope from the ground. He is then approached by Mao Pang-Yu’s grandmother, who explains that because he touched the red envelope, Wu Ming Han is now betrothed to her dead grandson. Like, what? If Wu Ming Han chooses not to go through with the union, a lifetime of bad juju will ensue for the protagonist (yes, fam, she wants him to marry her dead grandson).
Wu Ming Han initially dismisses the old woman and rejects her proposition to ghost-marry her dead grandson. As a result, she curses him and then he begins experiencing a string of accidents that make him question if he should have taken the proposition seriously.
To cut a hilariously long story short, the homophobic man does end up marrying the ghost of Mao Pang-Yu – who appears to him for the first time while he is naked in the shower – and so starts their shared journey of helping Mao Pang-Yu complete whatever unfinished business that is clearly keeping him in this realm.
Where to watch? Marry My Dead Body is available to watch on Netflix globally now.
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