BEHIND THE SCENES WITH JOSHUA HYUNHO LEE IN 'XO, KITTY' SEASON 2

Lee says his role in the series has reconnected him to his cultural roots, grounding him in the process.

- By DEBASHREE DUTTA

Korean American actor, dancer, and singer Joshua Hyunho Lee has Jin in the second season of the popular American romantic-comedy drama XO, Kitty. As the spring semester begins, setting the stage for new episodes of drama and chaos to unfold at the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS), Jin enters the picture—a charming and intriguing character who, despite being “so different” from the actor himself, resonated with Lee in a very specific sense. While seemingly unlikeable, as Lee explains, Jin is “a kind, albeit, confused at times, person who cares about the people around him.”

Jin embodies a range of emotions and inner turmoil, grappling with the pressures of life and searching for true happiness. Lee’s portrayal of Jin’s journey, including his relationship with Q (Anthony Keyvan), his friendship with the Kitty gang, and his quest for his sense of self, surely adds depth to the show’s exploration of love and growth while contributing to Lee’s own evolution as an actor. Even with his impressive academic background—a Harvard University graduate—Lee’s passion has always been in the world of entertainment. He had his Broadway debut in Kpop as Timmy X and played Supreme in two seasons of CBC/BBC's Gangnam Project.

Interestingly, Lee chose to follow his love of the arts over the conventional academic route, confirming his willingness to take chances to realize his dreams.

For XO, Kitty, Lee says that he was initially nervous about joining the series with such a dedicated fan base, but his subsequent experience on the set has been nothing short of rewarding. As he shares, the role of Jin has reconnected him to his cultural roots, grounding him in the process. “I'm very grateful that work was able to bring me back.” Excerpts.