Jiwon (Hojo Shin) is introduced as a pivotal character in XO, Kitty Season 2, directly tied to Kitty’s journey to uncover more about her late mother’s past.
She is the granddaughter of Soon Ja, Kitty’s great-aunt, making her Kitty’s second cousin.
Her presence in the story provides a link between Kitty and her long-lost Korean relatives, helping to piece together the fragmented history of Kitty’s mother, Eve.
Jiwon’s parents passed away in a car accident when she was ten, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother, Soon Ja.
This tragedy has shaped her into a cautious and reserved individual, deeply loyal to her grandmother and their family’s legacy.
The family operates a professional matchmaking business in Seoul, a tradition passed down through generations.
She actively helps manage the business, demonstrating her commitment to preserving her family’s heritage.
Jiwon initially resists Kitty’s attempts to reconnect, especially after Soon Ja reacts angrily to Kitty’s unexpected visit.
She aligns with her grandmother’s protective stance, hesitant to reopen old wounds surrounding their estranged relatives.
However, her curiosity about Kitty and her genuine desire to understand her family’s history eventually lead her to soften toward Kitty.
She even encourages Kitty to not give up on Min Ho.
Overview
Jiwon’s role in the plot
Introduction
Jiwon first appears in XO, Kitty Season 2 when Kitty uncovers her existence during her quest to learn more about her late mother, Eve.
After learning about Simon’s true identity as her mother’s cousin, Kitty tracks down Jiwon through social media.
This moment marks the beginning of a cautious relationship that evolves over the course of the season.
Connection to Kitty’s family mystery
Jiwon becomes central to Kitty’s investigation into her mother’s past.
Despite her initial hesitation, Jiwon’s interest is piqued as Kitty shares letters between Simon and Eve, revealing their efforts to reconcile their estranged families.
Jiwon provides valuable insights into Soon Ja’s side of the story, confirming that their grandmother harbored resentment toward Young Ja (Kitty’s grandmother) for leaving Korea to marry someone against the family’s wishes.
These revelations help Kitty piece together the fractured history of her maternal lineage.
However, Jiwon also acts as a gatekeeper to their family’s legacy, reluctant to open old wounds without Soon Ja’s consent.
This dynamic creates tension but also underscores the complexity of Jiwon’s role in protecting her family’s traditions while navigating Kitty’s earnest desire for connection.
Relationship with Soon Ja
Jiwon shares a close bond with her grandmother, Soon Ja, who raised her after the death of her parents.
This relationship is a cornerstone of Jiwon’s character, as she deeply respects her grandmother’s authority and the values she upholds.
Her loyalty to Soon Ja initially prevents her from fully supporting Kitty’s quest, as she fears it might disrupt the fragile peace in their family.
Soon Ja’s firm stance against reconnecting with Young Ja significantly influences Jiwon’s early resistance to Kitty’s efforts.
However, her compassion and curiosity eventually outweigh her hesitations, allowing her to act as a mediator between the two sides.
The reunion
As Jiwon warms up to Kitty, the two devise a plan to orchestrate a meeting between Soon Ja and Young Ja.
She plays a pivotal role in convincing her grandmother to listen to Kitty’s side of the story.
Although Soon Ja initially reacts with anger and skepticism when Kitty reveals her identity, Jiwon’s presence helps de-escalate the situation.
Together, they present the letters from Simon and Eve as proof of their shared desire to mend the family’s broken ties.
Eventually, Soon Ja agrees to meet Young Ja, leading to a deeply emotional reunion between the two sisters.
Her willingness to embrace Kitty as part of her extended family signifies her transformation from a skeptical outsider to an integral ally in Kitty’s journey to honor her mother’s legacy.
This moment cements her role as a bridge between the past and the present, uniting two estranged sides of the family.
Personality and motivations
Initial hesitation
Jiwon is portrayed as a thoughtful and cautious individual who balances a deep loyalty to her grandmother with an underlying curiosity about her extended family.
She is initially skeptical of Kitty’s sudden appearance in her life, reflecting her protective instincts toward her family’s legacy.
However, beneath her reserved demeanor lies a warm-hearted nature that surfaces as she gets to know Kitty.
Jiwon is motivated by a sense of duty to honor her grandmother, Soon Ja, who raised her after her parents’ untimely death.
This loyalty often creates an inner conflict when faced with Kitty’s efforts to reconnect their families.
Yuri’s intervention
Jiwon’s initial hesitation to connect with Kitty is rooted in her loyalty to her grandmother, Soon Ja, and her skepticism about reopening old family wounds.
However, a pivotal turning point occurs when Kitty shares her frustrations with Yuri after being blocked by Jiwon on social media and kicked out by Soon Ja.
Understanding Kitty’s genuine need for closure and connection, Yuri decides to intervene.
Yuri visits Soon Ja’s place and uses her social media influence to catch Jiwon’s attention.
Recognizing Yuri as a well-known figure online, Jiwon becomes more open to listening, intrigued by Yuri’s presence and her apparent support for Kitty.
Yuri uses her influence and persuasion to convince her to give Kitty a chance and hear her side of the story.
This moment not only highlights Yuri’s role in bridging the gap between Kitty and Jiwon but also reflects the latter’s growing willingness to reconsider her stance.
Simon’s death
Jiwon’s sense of family and loyalty is profoundly shaped by the loss of her father, Simon, at a young age.
Her perspective shifts when she learns that Simon and Eve had maintained contact and worked together to reconcile their estranged families.
She also discovers that Eve planned to visit Korea to reunite with Simon and heal the family divide before her untimely death.
This revelation is both bittersweet and eye-opening for Jiwon.
It helps her see the larger picture of family ties and the efforts her father and Eve made to bridge the gap between their families.
Understanding her father’s intentions adds a layer of emotional depth to Jiwon’s character.
It motivates her to step beyond her initial reservations and support Kitty in honoring their parents’ wishes.
This realization redefines Jiwon’s loyalty—not just to Soon Ja but to the broader family legacy that Simon and Eve tried to preserve.
It becomes a driving force behind her decision to aid Kitty in reconnecting the two sides of their family.
Key scenes featuring Jiwon
Meeting Kitty for the first time
Jiwon first encounters Kitty when she and Min Ho visit Soon Ja’s matchmaking business, pretending to be clients.
Although Kitty had previously found Jiwon on Instagram, she chose not to engage directly.
During the visit, she is polite but professional, unaware of Kitty’s true identity.
However, the situation takes a dramatic turn when Soon Ja arrives unexpectedly.
Kitty, unable to continue the pretense, reveals the truth about who she is and her connection to the family.
She is taken aback by the revelation, caught between her grandmother’s anger and her own curiosity about Kitty and their shared history.
Helping Kitty understand her mom’s past
After learning about Kitty’s identity, Jiwon slowly begins to warm up to her, intrigued by the letters Kitty shares between Simon and Eve.
These letters detail the sisters’ desire to reconcile and shed light on the family feud that led to their estrangement.
She provides Kitty with valuable information about Soon Ja’s perspective, including the story of how Young Ja (Kitty’s grandmother) defied family expectations and left Korea.
While hesitant to defy her grandmother’s wishes, her growing understanding of Kitty’s motivations encourages her to support Kitty’s efforts to uncover the truth about their shared family history.
Attending the family reunion and the Jesa Ritual
Jiwon plays a pivotal role in facilitating the emotional reunion between Soon Ja and Young Ja.
After much persuasion, she helps Kitty convince Soon Ja to meet with her estranged sister.
At the reunion, Jiwon witnesses the healing of old wounds and begins to embrace her extended family.
She participates in the Jesa ritual to honor Eve, a deeply symbolic moment that signifies reconciliation and unity between the two sides of the family.
This event marks a turning point in Jiwon’s relationship with Kitty, solidifying her role as a bridge between their shared past and the present.
