Where Are Lara Jean & Peter Now? Inside XO, Kitty’s ‘To All the Boys’ Update

The beloved To All the Boys universe expands in XO, Kitty, Netflix’s spin-off series from Jenny Han that explores a new generation of love and family with Katherine Song Covey—aka Kitty—as its heart. With Kitty embarking on her own coming-of-age journey in South Korea, the show inevitably raises the question no fan can ignore: What happened to Lara Jean and Peter?

XO, Kitty: A Fresh Perspective with Familiar Roots

XO, Kitty began streaming in May 2023 and quickly charmed audiences by maintaining the heartfelt and earnest tone that made the original To All the Boys trilogy a sensation. Yet this time, it’s Kitty Covey—Lara Jean’s witty, self-assured younger sister—who takes center stage.

  • Kitty travels to South Korea after earning a scholarship to the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS), aiming to reconnect with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae.
  • The show is rooted in the Covey family legacy, with nods and updates to the characters who first endeared themselves to viewers in the film adaptations and the Jenny Han books.
  • Family remains a core theme, with frequent references and callbacks to Lara Jean, Margot, and the Covey traditions.

Kitty Covey Steps Into Her Own Romance

Taking her own leap of faith, Kitty brings her signature optimism and sometimes-misplaced confidence halfway across the world. She’s inspired by her sister Lara Jean’s deep, thoughtful approach to love, but her journey is uniquely her own:

  • Kitty often references Lara Jean and Peter, with their relationship serving as a guiding example—but also a source of pressure.
  • Lara Jean’s letters and stories are touchstones for Kitty, informing her decisions and expectations around relationships.
  • Through mishaps, misunderstandings, and heartfelt moments, Kitty learns that real-life romance is often far messier and more complicated than the stories she idolizes.

How XO, Kitty Updates Lara Jean & Peter’s Love Story

For fans invested in Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky—whose swoon-worthy romance carried the original film trilogy—XO, Kitty doesn’t leave their future to the imagination. The series offers direct updates and emotional callbacks that anchor the spin-off in established canon.

Direct Canonical Updates

  • Kitty shares snippets and status reports about Lara Jean and Peter, mentioning that they are still together and navigating a long-distance relationship now that high school is over and college beckons.
  • Lara Jean attends NYU, while Peter plays lacrosse at Stanford; the two balance love and distance with the same dedication that made their romance unforgettable.
  • Kitty reminisces about their iconic relationship moments and their impact on her own view of love, occasionally texting her sister for advice during her own escapades at KISS.

Despite no longer being the protagonists, Lara Jean and Peter’s story continues off-screen, signifying that while first loves may evolve, their core connection endures.

Comparing the Covey Sisters’ Approaches to Love

Character Approach to Romance Current Status
Lara Jean Cautious, dreamy, deeply introspective Long-distance relationship with Peter, attending NYU
Kitty Optimistic, bold, sometimes impulsive Romantic mishaps and growth at KISS in Seoul
Peter Kavinsky Supportive, charismatic, loyal At Stanford, committed to Lara Jean

Kitty’s Growth: Learning from—and Beyond—Lara Jean

While Lara Jean’s epic, fairy-tale-tinged romance sets a high bar, Kitty’s story in XO, Kitty is about forging her own path and owning her mistakes and discoveries.

  • New Friendships: Kitty connects with an international cast of students at KISS—Yuri Han, Q Shabazian, Min Ho, and more—broadening her perspective on love and identity.
  • LGBTQ+ Representation: The show earns praise for exploring queer storylines openly and inclusively, something only touched on in the original films.
  • Cultural Discovery: Living in Seoul leads Kitty to deeper questions about her heritage, late mother, and what “home” really means to her—a thematic through-line honoring the Covey family’s Korean roots.
  • Facing Heartbreak: Kitty’s romance with Dae is complex, marked by secrets and jealousy. She learns that real relationships require vulnerability, honest communication, and sometimes, letting go.

Family Dynamics Remain at the Core

The Covey sisters’ bond continues to inform their choices, with texts, calls, and memories threaded throughout Kitty’s story:

  • Margot, now studying in Scotland, offers practical, big-sisterly advice, reminding Kitty to stay true to herself even as she navigates Korean high school social life.
  • The enduring love among the sisters manifests not just in direct advice, but in Kitty’s awareness of their different strengths.

Nods to ‘To All the Boys’: Easter Eggs & Continuity

XO, Kitty is rich with subtle references and callbacks for die-hard fans of the original series:

  • Letters and Journals: The motif of written notes persists, with Kitty journaling her new adventures much like Lara Jean’s iconic love letters.
  • Covey Family Traits: The warmth, awkwardness, and supportive chaos of the Coveys remains unchanged, even as they are physically apart.
  • Peter’s Presence: While never on screen, his support for Lara Jean is frequently referenced, ensuring fans know the ‘Peter K’ legacy endures even as the show spotlights a new generation.

Episode Highlights: Key Moments Linking Universes

Across XO, Kitty’s storyline, several key scenes double as bridges between past and present:

  • Kitty facing her own ‘fish out of water’ moments, reminiscent of Lara Jean’s initial awkwardness at high school dances or college parties.
  • Conversations between Kitty and her family echo the original’s thoughtful dialogues—underscoring that, while circumstances change, the Covey spirit is indelible.
  • Heartfelt pep talks—sometimes via video call—reveal how much the sisters still rely on one another’s wisdom and humor.

New Characters, Lasting Connections

XO, Kitty introduces a cast of vibrant new faces:

  • Yuri Han, the school’s It-girl with a secret, challenges Kitty’s preconceptions of love and identity.
  • Dae Heon Kim, Kitty’s boyfriend, weaves between heartfelt and questionable as their relationship is tested by misunderstandings and outside pressures.
  • Q Shabazian and Min Ho, each representing friendships and potential rivals, force Kitty to reassess what—and who—she really wants.

The Impact: How ‘To All the Boys’ Legacy Shapes Kitty’s Story

XO, Kitty builds upon the emotional legacy of To All the Boys:

  • Kitty’s belief in love and happy endings—modeled in part after Lara Jean—catalyzes her optimism, but the show is careful to let her grow past family shadows.
  • The challenges Kitty faces are both similar and distinct: she, like Lara Jean, must learn that heartache is integral to real love, but her journey is less about fantasy and more about self-discovery.
  • Fan-favorite references and thematic parallels allow old and new audiences alike to feel at home in this expanding universe.

Kitty’s Journey: Breaking Out of the Shadow

Kitty’s path at KISS is as much about finding herself as it is about romance:

  • Straying from expectations lets Kitty forge genuine friendships and understand her own heart better.
  • The show resists merely copying Lara Jean’s story, and instead uses her as a springboard for Kitty’s own mistakes, risks, and revelations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are Lara Jean and Peter still together in XO, Kitty?

A: Yes. The show confirms that Lara Jean and Peter are still together and maintaining a long-distance relationship while balancing college responsibilities.

Q: Does Lara Jean appear in XO, Kitty?

A: Lara Jean is referenced frequently, but she does not physically appear in the series. Her influence remains central to Kitty’s journey.

Q: How does XO, Kitty connect to the previous To All the Boys movies?

A: The series is a direct spin-off, featuring numerous callbacks and updates on the Covey family, particularly Lara Jean and Peter, while focusing on Kitty’s adventures at KISS.

Q: What themes does XO, Kitty explore?

A: The show explores love, friendship, self-discovery, LGBTQ+ identity, cultural heritage, and the complexity of growing up across borders. Family support and individuality are recurring messages.

Q: Is XO, Kitty faithful to Jenny Han’s books?

A: While inspired by Jenny Han’s world, XO, Kitty is an original creation that uses characters, relationships, and themes from the To All the Boys trilogy to launch Kitty’s distinct story, blending book and film canon.

Final Thoughts: A Universe for Old and New Fans

With XO, Kitty, Jenny Han and Netflix deliver a series that honors the spirit of the Coveys while expanding the universe in bold, inclusive new directions. Lara Jean and Peter’s story lives on—comfortingly familiar yet evolving in the background—while Kitty takes center stage, reminding audiences of the joy and messiness of forging your own path in love and in life.

References

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XO,_Kitty
  2. https://to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before.fandom.com/wiki/Season_2