XO, Kitty Season 3, An American Girl's Third Chapter in Korea
Released on Netflix on April 2, 2026, XO, Kitty Season 3 continues the story of Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart), a spirited American teenager navigating romance, identity, and friendship at KISS (Korean Independent School of Seoul), a prestigious international school in Korea. Created by bestselling author Jenny Han, the series is a spinoff of Netflix's hit film franchise "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."
Season 3 brings a wave of exciting additions: Lana Condor reprises her role as Lara Jean in a special guest appearance that sent original franchise fans into a frenzy, while K-pop idol WONHO makes a memorable cameo. The season shot to No. 1 globally on Netflix immediately after release, surpassing all previous seasons' performance. What makes this season particularly special for location enthusiasts is its expansion beyond Seoul to Busan, showcasing Korea's diverse landscapes and cultures to a global Gen Z audience that may be discovering the country for the first time through this show.
Behind the Scenes
Season 3 filmed over approximately two and a half months from May to July 17, 2025, across Seoul and Busan.
Kaywon University of Art & Design in Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do has served as the KISS campus since Season 1. Its glass-facade buildings and open-plan architecture create the aspirational international school aesthetic that defines the show's visual identity. Filming was scheduled around the university's academic calendar to minimize disruption, primarily taking place during summer break.
The season's standout production achievement is the Lotte World Adventure episode. The production team secured exclusive after-hours filming access to the indoor theme park, allowing the cast to ride attractions and film emotional scenes without regular park visitors. The parallel between Yuri and Kitty recreating their mothers' decades-old photos at the same park is one of Season 3's most powerful storytelling moments, and required careful coordination with Lotte World's operations team.
Gwangjang Market scenes were filmed during actual business hours, with the production crew working within the bustling market environment. The authentic atmosphere, complete with real vendors cooking bindaetteok and wrapping gimbap in the background, adds a layer of cultural immersion that couldn't be replicated on a set. Some market vendors reported that the filming crew became regular customers during the production period.
The Busan expansion represents Season 3's biggest creative leap. Gamcheon Culture Village, Haeundae Market (where the cast filmed eating ssiat hotteok, a Busan specialty), and the Songdo Marine Cable Car all feature prominently. The production spent approximately one week in Busan, capturing the city's distinct energy as a contrast to Seoul's metropolitan polish.
Travel Guide to Filming Locations
Seoul Route (Full Day): Kaywon University → Gwangjang Market → Lotte World
- Kaywon University: Take subway Line 1 to Uiwang Station, then local bus approximately 10 minutes. The campus is freely accessible on weekdays, though building interiors may be restricted during the academic term. The glass-facade main building is the most recognizable KISS filming location.
- Gwangjang Market: 3-minute walk from Jongno 5-ga Station Exit 8 (Line 1). Open daily 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM (some vendors closed Sundays). Must-try: bindaetteok (~5,000 KRW/$3.60), mayak gimbap (~3,000 KRW/$2.15). Least crowded 2-4 PM on weekdays.
- Lotte World Adventure: Directly connected to Jamsil Station Exit 4 (Line 2). Day pass approximately 62,000 KRW (~$45, cheaper with online advance purchase). Weekday mornings have the shortest ride wait times.
- Namsan Tower: Take the cable car from Myeongdong Station Exit 3 (Line 4). The love lock fence featured in the show's romantic storylines is at the observation deck level.
Busan Route (Half Day): Gamcheon Culture Village → Haeundae Market → Songdo Cable Car
- Gamcheon Culture Village: From Toseong Station Exit 6 (Busan Line 1), take local bus 1-1, 2, or 2-2. Free entry (village guide map 2,000 KRW). Wear comfortable walking shoes as the village is built on steep hillside with narrow alleyways.
- Haeundae Market: 10-minute walk from Haeundae Station (Line 2). The ssiat hotteok (seed-filled sweet pancake, ~2,000 KRW) is the exact snack Kitty eats in the show.
- Best Time to Visit: Seoul is best in spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October). For Busan, summer (June-August) adds Haeundae Beach to your itinerary.
Fan Pilgrimage
XO, Kitty has become the gateway series introducing global Gen Z audiences to Korean travel. After Season 3's release, hashtags #XOKittyLocations, #KISSSchool, and #엑스오키티촬영지 exploded across TikTok and Instagram, with location recreation videos becoming a viral genre of their own.
Kaywon University has become the ultimate "KISS school verification photo" destination. International fans visiting in school-uniform-inspired outfits increased noticeably after Season 3, and the university has embraced its fame by installing "XO, Kitty filming location" signage on campus.
Lotte World saw a notable surge in international visitors post-Season 3, particularly from Southeast Asia and the Americas. The park has capitalized on the show's popularity with social media-friendly photo spots. Gwangjang Market vendors report a growing number of foreign tourists ordering "what Kitty ate," prompting some stalls to create English-language menus for the first time.
Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan, already a popular tourist destination, experienced a fresh wave of international visitors under the #XOKittyBusan hashtag. The village's colorful aesthetic, perfectly suited for Instagram and TikTok content, aligns naturally with the show's vibrant visual style.
The series has also inspired multi-city Korea trips among younger international tourists who might previously have only visited Seoul. Tour operators now offer "XO, Kitty Seoul + Busan" packages covering filming locations in both cities.
Nearby Food and Attractions
Seoul, Jongno / Gwangjang Market: Inside the market, Sunhee-ne Bindaetteok and Park-gane Mayak Gimbap are reported to be the actual stalls featured during filming. Nearby Insadong (10-minute walk) is Seoul's traditional culture street with crafts, tea houses, and galleries popular with international visitors. Bukchon Hanok Village is a 15-minute walk away, making it easy to combine with Gwangjang Market for a half-day cultural tour.
Seoul, Jamsil / Lotte World: The Seoul Sky Observatory (floors 117-123 of Lotte World Tower) offers 360-degree Seoul views (~29,000 KRW). Seokchon Lake park is a 5-minute walk from Lotte World, famous for cherry blossoms in spring and a pleasant walking trail year-round.
Busan, Gamcheon / Haeundae: Near Gamcheon, the Songdo Marine Cable Car (~17,000 KRW round trip) offers a unique over-ocean crossing experience. In Haeundae, the traditional market's ssiat hotteok and eomuk (fish cake) are essential tastes. Haeridan-gil (near Haeundae Station) is a trendy street of indie cafes and bookshops that matches XO, Kitty's youthful aesthetic perfectly.
